DIRENZO DRZ_02 Limited Edition

Founded by architect and watch designer Sergio Godoy Di Renzo, Geneva based DIRENZO produces unique and elegant watches inspired by the timeless aesthetics of mid-20th-century race cars and aircraft.

Following the successful release of its first model, the young Swiss watch brand now presents their second timepiece: the limited edition DRZ_02. The watch is now available for pre-order on Kickstarter.

Launched on Kickstarter on 12 Nov 2018, the new watch is a unique and innovative piece whose aesthetics connect with both the past and the future. The major design element of the watch is its dial, which steals the show with its outstanding elegant and symmetrical design along with eye catching luminous details.

The dial has a “sandwich” like construction, with two layers, the upper of which is moulded into a bowl shape – a particularly complex element in terms of the watch’s manufacture. This shape has enabled us to generate seamless continuity between the dial and the case.

The “bowl” shape and double-layer construction together produce a much deeper dial, as opposed to the more standard flat dial seen on most watches.

The dial is available in four different colours and includes the option of featuring the date (positioned at 6 o’clock) or not:-
– Black (matt) with C5 Super-LumiNova
– Blue (sunray) with dark blue Super-LumiNova
– Green (sunray) with old radium Super-LumiNova
– Light grey (sunray) with dark orange Super-LumiNova

Inspired by the extravagant and futuristic curves of the Bugattis from the 1930s, the case is designed with a marked sports style, while sacrificing nothing of the brand’s elegant spirit. The elliptical elevation is the case’s most outstanding feature, accentuating its edges with polished fillets and generating shadow thanks to its counter curve at the transversal section.

The architecture of the case and bezel is designed around the automatic mechanism with the aim of attaining the right proportions (11mm including the sapphire crystal). The crown engraved with the logo is perfectly centred on the asymmetrical ellipse. It measures 41mm, not including the crown, and 48mm lug to lug. There are two options: Brushed stainless steel with polished edges or Black gun PVD.

The screw down case back has a sapphire crystal, thereby revealing the automatic movement. The mass will be engraved with the brand logo and the Côtes de Genève.

This watch is all about the curves, including the hands, which adjust subtly from the centre to their peripheral markers. The finishes are metallic grey for the steel version and dark matt grey for the PVD version, both with details in BG W9 Super-LumiNova.

The watch features a “floating Bezel” inspired by the DRZ_Type_250F model. This bezel is a very light, counter-sloping piece which enables the overall height of the case to be visually reduced. It is also a continuation of the subtle curvature of the sapphire crystal and, therefore, an element that ensures the perfect transition between the glass and the case.

The watch houses the Swiss Sellita SW-200 automatic calibre, a high quality and accurate mechanism for three hands with 38 hours of power reserve and a 28’800 A/h (4 Hz) frequency.

The leather strap of the watch is handmade in Germany by a prestigious company that provides elements for luxury brands. Dyed with natural vegetable dyes; a process that generates subtle and natural colours while at the same time reducing environmental impact. They come in a choice of 5 different colours: black, dark brown, light brown, grey and light green.

The watch comes in a stylish, durable container that can be used again and again. Inspired by the old-fashioned tool rolls used on race courses in the 1950s, this wallet has been designed to accompany you on your journeys and adventures. It has a space for two DRZs plus an additional strap. The wallet is made from natural distressed dark brown genuine leather and is included in the final price of each watch.

The brand launched a Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign 12th November, 2018 to raise funds for the mass production of the new watch. Pre-order pricing starts at $460 and the final retail price will be $699 (prices in USD).

Technical details

Case
316L (Stainless steel or PVD)
Crystal: sapphire with anti-reflection coating
Water resistant: 5atm
Diameter without crown: 41mm
Lug to lug: 48mm (22mm strap)
Height: 11mm
Case back: screw down with sapphire

Movement
Automatic Sellita SW-200 (date or no date)

Dial
Two layer sandwich construction with “bowl” shape (top layer)

Straps
Genuine, high quality, racing style leather strap

Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/direnzowatches/drz-02-automatic-swiss-made-watch-by-direnzo-watch

Campaign status as on 12 Dec 2018: Successfully funded and achieved an amount of CHF 129,785 with the support of 242 backers.