It’s interesting how sometimes one great product can put a brand on the map. While independent watch brand Code41 has been around for just over six years now (it was founded in 2016), its recent introduction of a new timepiece is making headlines around the world. The first in what it calls a new  category of timepieces – one that the brand leaders hope other brands will venture into – Mecascape is all about using watch parts to create works of art that are fully functional timepieces.

Exactly What is the Code41 Mecascape?

In the case of the Code41 Mecascape Sublimation One, the individual mechanical watch parts are laid out in a horizontal landscape format – flat and wide—to produce an ultra-thin (think a metal business card or two), about the palm-of-your-hand sized work of art. Some would call it a clock,  others might say it is a pocket watch, but it is not. Measuring 4.25 inches x 2.8 inches –and just 3/10ths of an inch thick – it is a portable work of art.

The timepiece explores space and light, balance of geometry, volume and depth. It can sit in a specially made  metal stand on a desk, or it can slide into a specially made leather carrying case and be carried in a suit jacket or other pocket. It is the ultimate conversation starter. It’s the “look what I have” timepiece for  today’s collectors who really want to tell a story of their own, just like Code41 wants to tell a story of its own with this category.

My Impressions of the Code41 Mecascape

Interestingly, the piece is so intricately designed that it is a stunning statement in mechanics and geometry. The bridges, gears, wheels and other parts that form the “dial” side of the watch work like a harmonious dance and are laid out precisely for ultimate viewing. I found myself staring at it frequently, especially the world map  – not even noticing or caring about the time it displayed. This, to me, makes it more of a piece of art than a clock.

Lovers of art will be immediately drawn in by the different shapes, the contrasts in satin and polished finishes  and the play of light amongst the components. It is, in short, a visual delight.

The balance of the timepiece and its geometrical structure is what really grabbed me. But I love the feel of the winding. The two small, knurled crowns nestled into each side of the case for an integrated appeal, allow for easy setting and winding (always a wonderful experience with a mechanical watch) and a small pushbutton on the side allows for easy date setting.

The 100 percent Swiss-made mechanical manual-wind movement consists of 237 individual components, including 39 rubies, and via the sapphire crystal (with 1800 Vickers antireflective coating) so many of the parts are visible. The majority of the case back is closed in Grade 5 titanium, but there is a small round window that offers visibility.

The Mecascape Sublimation One timepiece that I borrowed was in titanium with silvered accents for a monochrome appeal, but there is also a titanium version with black accents and a version with beautiful sea blue accents. The blue version is particularly alluring in the world map dial found on the GMT indication.

It should be noted that with the Mecascape, you are getting a lot of bang for your buck. The timepiece offers time indication (hours, minutes), date and second time zone (GMT) functions, along with a power reserve indicator (8 days) – mechanical features that in most Swiss watches might cost in the $15,000 and up price range. The Mecascape retails for a starting point of  $ 9,360.

Recently, Code 41 interviewed nine watch industry authorities about the Mecascape, their impressions and the idea of a new concept of timepiece.  I was one of those  interviewed, and you can see about four minutes of that 20-minute interview here.

 

Details of the Code41 Mecascape

The brainchild of Claudio D’Amore, founder and CEO of Code41, the Mecascape concept dates back to before he even founded Code41. It was designed according to the Golden Ratio 1.618 and the Fibonacci sequence. While based in mathematics, the result is emotionally stirring. The piece displays a purity of lines yet is incredibly contemporary.   To D’Amore, the Mecascape allows its owners to enter a different universe of aesthetic expression.

 “My idea for the Mecascape goes back to 2009, more than 12 years ago. Today, after having founded CODE41, given birth to 6 collections, and dedicated 5 years of focused development to the project, the time has come, the maturity and the means too, to give birth to the first Mecascape,” says D’Amore. “I knew, with the team, from the outset that we were working on something really special. An ambitious and daring project in every sense of the word. Translating my vision into a unique and original watch object was a real collective challenge, and we are all very proud of the result. Working with time from all angles (and that’s the right word here) has rarely been so rewarding.”

Code41 is a direct-to-consumer brand – a model it adopted when it first launched and that has helped to eliminate  residual inventory.  The brand relies on feedback from the watch community and draws them into its plans and ideas. Today, Code41 boasts more than 550,000 community members and deliveries timepieces to more than 130 countries.