Atto Verticale Masera: A Fusion of Classic and Contemporary Watch Design

Tommaso R. Masera's Award-Winning Mechanical Watch Redefines Conventional Timepieces

Tommaso R. Masera's Atto Verticale Masera, an innovative mechanical watch, breaks away from traditional designs, merging classic elements with a fresh, contemporary aesthetic. This unique timepiece, awarded Silver in A' Jewelry, Eyewear and Watch Design Award in 2017, is a testament to the power of innovative design in the world of horology.

The Atto Verticale Masera is inspired by a fresh interpretation of a hand-wound baguette movement, a traditional yet high-end feature that Masera has transformed into a new kind of watch with an unconventional design. The watch's unique properties lie in its mechanical hand-wound movement assembled on a vibrant, colored aluminum case. The classic movement is paired with a modern, colorful watch case and strap, creating a harmonious blend of old and new.

The watch's design is realized through anodized colored aluminum case without horn, a two-piece construction where the caseback becomes an inner ring, interchangeable NATO strap in leather or canvas, and sapphire crystals top and bottom. The bottom sapphire crystal features a matte finish made by laser, leaving the silhouette of the movement transparent on the crystal. This innovative design approach showcases the watch's mechanical features while adding a touch of modern elegance.

Technical specifications of the Atto Verticale Masera include a 42.00mm diameter, a hand-wound baguette movement with 20 jewels, a power reserve of 30 hours, and water resistance up to 3 ATM. The watch is available in nine color versions, offering a variety of options for the discerning customer.

The design process, which took place in Hong Kong and China, began in April 2015 and took approximately one year. The project was exhibited at Florence Design Week 2016 and launched in the Italian market in June 2016. The design research was centered around creating a reasonably priced mechanical watch with a modern and fashionable case, a departure from the traditional watches usually associated with hand-wound baguette movements.

The main challenge faced by the design team was creating a fashion watch with a powerful and distinctive personality through an unconventional design using a traditional movement. The unconventional shape, original construction, NATO bracelet, and movement assembled in line with the crown at 12 H were the starting points of the project. The result is a watch that is not only functional but also a fashion statement, proving that traditional elements can be reimagined in a contemporary context.

The Atto Verticale Masera is a testament to the power of innovative design in the world of horology. Its blend of classic and contemporary elements, coupled with its vibrant color options and high-quality materials, make it a standout in the world of watch design. This unique timepiece is a shining example of how traditional design elements can be reimagined and transformed into something truly unique and contemporary.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Tommaso Masera
Image Credits: Photo credit: Eli Gonzalez Video credit: Denys Leontyev
Project Team Members: Tommaso Masera Uros Krstic Zhou Rong Chang
Project Name: Atto Verticale
Project Client: Tommaso Masera


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