sham1
9622
Way ahead of its time!
In 2017, Jonathan Ward, a Californian car restorer of 4x4 and off road vehichles came up with the novel idea of a lovely watch called the Icon Duesey which tells the time without hands but instead with two separate windows, one for the jump hour and one for the minutes. The watch had a dial made of real onyx and spotted a module from a Dubois Depraz which had been added to the ETA2892-A2 automatic movement. The case was in sand blasted grade 2 titanium while the bezel was in grade 5 titanium, and the watch although 42mm in diameter, wore like a 38mm due to the position of the lugs. Released in a limited edition of 50 pieces, after 8 years, 2 still remain unsold on the website. Some may attribute this to the USD11,500 retail price which was quite a hefty amount even in 2025 let alone in 2017. Others may argue that this method of telling the time is quite niche and not very popular among collectors.
Fast forward to 2025 and I have noticed no fewer than 4 brands that have introduced very similar watches this year and they have proven to be extremely popular. Two are a lot more expensive than the Icon Duesey and two a lot less expensive. The Cartier Tank Guichet and the Louis Vuitton Tambour Convergence have waiting lists while the Maen and the Zentier offer remarkable value for money at less than a tenth of the price of the Icon Duesey.
For me, the Icon Duesey is a class act which has been under appreciated by collectors, possibly because of its price, possibly because Icon is not exactly a reputable brand but more likely too because the watch was launched 8 years too early! I personally do not buy a brand, I buy a watch for what it is irrespective of the brand! 
And I must salute Jonathan for having the foresight and bravado to produce this hidden gem amidst 8 years too early!
And I must salute Jonathan for having the foresight and bravado to produce this hidden gem amidst 8 years too early! 
The Icon Duesey with its Onyx dial was chosen as a tribute to the dashboard of Duesenberg cars.
You might notice a gecko on the movement which is a symbol of Jonathan’s brand
Great on the wrist!
The sought after Cartier Tank Guichet
My favourite LV ever, the Tambour Convergence
The Maen which comes with a green or burgundy dial
The Zentier with its lapis lazuli dial
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Way ahead of its time!
In 2017, Jonathan Ward, a Californian car restorer of 4x4 and off road vehichles came up with the novel idea of a lovely watch called the Icon Duesey which tells the time without hands but instead with two separate windows, one for the jump hour and one f...
I totally understand
but if this watch was from one of the big brands even with the same movement, we would see it as good value!
Not sure I would.
For $11,500 I would want more than a small window showing the time.
Nope, would rather go for the basic tank.
It will tell me the time and save me some $$$!!
You are a traditional man Thomas
and there is nothing wrong with that. But one could argue that the tank guichets could also earn you a lot of money should you find yourself being able to live without it! )
Ah, very valid point Sham1
But to get it started I need a lot of money to buy the Tank Guichet in the first place. One reason I will opt for the basic tank watch.
From back in 2007. Novelty from Seiko. And the Sicuera from the 1970's ish. "Direct Read" watches
Its unique disc-display design and historical significance as part of the award-winning Moving Design Collection. ...
Very cool one! Here’s my Tribute
to Pallweber from 2018. The original pocket watch version is from 1884. This is the IWC company 150th anniversary tribute edition. ...
Thank you, Nico!
It’s one that has a lot of staying power in my collection. Although a little large at 45mm, I love it anyway 😁
And I actually prefer your steel version
to the rarer and more expensive rose gold and platinum versions.
Me too although the white dial
on the platinum version is a close second. Best regards, Steve
I love your Pallweber
I had one too once upon a time but I got fed up with the 180 plus turns required to wind the watch! But it was a beautiful watch!!
I counted more than 180 turns.
I kind of enjoy it. It’s my only watch that requires so many winds 😂
Actually I did too! :-))
But I thought perhaps my turns got weaker after the 100th! )
For a start
that wears too long on the wrist but I am curious how many turns would be required to fully wind the 10 day power reserve!
Chronoswiss came out with the Digiteur sometime in 2005/2006.
But a rectangular watch although the same display. I think it had a shaped movement as well
Indeed it did Ananth!
Cartier had done it in 1928 with the original tank guichets but I was just amazed that an unknown brand like Icon produced such a beautiful watch in the Duesey in 2017, eight years before these watches became a trend.
Love this way of telling time…
Hopefully one day. The closest I get to it at the moment is the Seiko Discus Burgher 🛸 ...
The line has been quite fun, even if not many were made 😊👍🏻
Quite popular here some 17 years ago 😁
Agreed
but I guess it is a watch for an occasion or rather any occasion as long as there is light!