Imnu: A Redefined Classic in Timekeeping

Jara Freund's Innovative Wall Clock Wins Golden A' Design Award

The Imnu wall clock is a unique concept that seamlessly fits into any environment or interior. Its clock face is a thin disc that appears to float on the wall, with hands that bend from the back towards the center and run outside around the disc. The short hand indicates the hour, while the long one points to the minutes. Balanced by a counterweight, the clock hands rotate around the dial without loss of power, creating a filigree, reduced, and light impression.

Freund's inspiration came from the thermal bath Vals, a building designed by architect Peter Zumthor. The bathhouse, devoid of amusement elements such as slides or bubble baths, provides a bathing experience reduced to the essentials. This minimalist approach is mirrored in the design of Imnu, which also lacks a traditional dial. However, the time remains easy to read and recognizable, with a small branding on the clock face providing a visual horizontal.

The clock face and hands of Imnu are made of aluminum, punched out, and connected to the clockwork through a small piece of pipe welded onto the clock plate. The metal parts are finished with a powder coating, and the branding is placed on the clock face. This design process, coupled with a special reconstructed clockwork that allows the clock hands to spin from the outside, was a technical challenge that required collaboration with a clockwork specialist, Maximilian Schubert.

Imnu's design journey began in 2016, and after years of refinement, Freund is satisfied with the result. The wall clock stands out due to its unconventional and minimalistic nature, introducing a new approach to the classic wall clock design. The focus lies on the pointers of the clock, which, instead of being attached to a pin in the middle of the dial, run around the circumference. The clock face is a thin disc that seems to float on the wall, with the hands coming from behind the disc, folding themselves over the outer edge.

The design of Imnu is patented, with Patent No 402017202025.8 registered with the Deutsches Patent-und Markenamt in 2017. This recognition of Freund's innovative design was further solidified when Imnu was awarded the Golden A' Design Award in 2018. This prestigious award is granted to outstanding, trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's wisdom and significantly impact the world with their desirable characteristics.