Did you know the term ‘robot’ first appeared over 100 years ago in a play about living among slave machines by Czech playwright Karel Čapek?
That fact has been put to work by Robot, a Czech microbrand watchmaker, which highlights the playwright’s connection in an introduction that also focuses on the Czech Republic’s horological pedigree, including the historic Prague astronomical clock, on the city’s Old Town Hall, which was first installed in 1410.
Robot was launched by Czech entrepreneur Josef Zajíček, who wants to draw together references like Čapek’s robots and the Prague astronomical clock.
Robot will be making a rare presentation of its watches at WatchPro Salon in November.
Click for WatchPro Salon tickets
“Karel Čapek’s vision of the future, in which robots work on our behalf for us not to waste time and be able to enjoy ourselves, is symbolic for our brand,” says Mr Zajíček.
“People need to use time efficiently today. Its scarcity and value are present in the fine materials traditionally used in watchmaking and the mechanisms that are made to last centuries. Let the Prague astronomical clock serve as an example,” he adds.
Robot designs and hand-assembles small runs of its watches in the Czech Republic. There are four models in the current catalogue.
GRAPHIC SUTNAR
Homage to art and graphic design and the avant-garde artist Ladislav Sutnar. The large dial with raised indices is based on the artist’s numerals designed for house numbers in the Bronx, New York, in the late 1950s.
The Swiss-made self-winding mechanical caliber from Manufacture La Joux-Perret is set in a round steel case.
On the wrist, the watch looks just the right size despite its large diameter of 42 mm. Further features that deserve a mention are machined hands, hand-applied Super-LumiNova and especially the bezel fixed with custom screws.
MINOR
The sporty chronograph was inspired by a famous Czech racing car Aero Minor Sport which came first in its category at the Le Mans race in 1949.
The visually robust watch (44 mm) is very light and easy to wear thanks to its titanium case. The dial is perforated with 3462 pinholes and offers a partial view of the La Joux-Perret movement is only one of the unique features of this chronograph. The layout of the dial.
AERODYNAMIC
Aerodynamic is powered by a top-quality movement with 8 days of power reserve and pays tribute to the Czechoslovak Tatra 77 – the world’s first aerodynamically shaped mass-produced car.
The dial features a circular ribbed motif and a “fuel gauge” – the power reserve of the hand-wound movement.
The transparent case back affords a full view of the skeletonised bridge finished with decorative brushing. The 12.2 mm thick case is perfectly complemented by a hand-stitched leather strap.
APLOS
The elegant ROBOT Aplos watch is born out of the beauty of simplicity. The pared-down design of the dial and the polished case is complemented by a number of fine details.
The 39 mm diameter, as well as the various color versions, make this model suitable for both men and women.
The new generation automatic mechanical caliber from our partner La Joux-Perret, coming with 68 hours of power reserve, twenty-four jewels, heat blued screws and Geneva stripes, is a true premium at the model’s price point.
Emerson Fittipaldi limited edition
There is a 100-piece limited edition of the Robot Minor made in collaboration with Brazilian race driving legend Emerson Fittipaldi, who won both the Formula 1 and Indianapolis 500 twice.
He was involved in the design of a watch inspired by his black and gold colour scheme of his Lotus JPS racing team.
WatchPro Salon 2023
Robot will be among a line up of over 50 prestigious watch brands exhibiting at this year’s WatchPro Salon, which takes place at The Londoner Hotel on Leicester Square from November 10 to 11.
Click here for full details and to book your tickets.
The ever-expanding list of exhibitors includes:
ARCANAUT | AWAKE | BALL WATCH | BROOKLANDS WATCH COMPANY | DUCKWORTH PRESTEX | EBAY | ELLIOT BROWN | GERALD CHARLES | HERBELIN | ISOTOPE | LUMINOX | OUT OF ORDER | PERRELET | ROBOT WATCH | SEIKO | SHERPA | SINN | SQUALE | THE DIAMOND BOX | VAN BRAUGE | VICTORINOX | WOLF | YEMA WATCHES | ZEITWINKEL | ZODIAC
