Introducing the Pheidippides Hourglass Watch

As you and I are well aware, you could throw a rock and hit half a dozen “me too” watch projects on the crowd-funding sites, with about the only thing distinguishing them being the logo and the name of the founder. Then you get something like the Pheidippides Hourglass Watch, and you realize there are indeed some gems still out there to be had.

Now, at first glance, the Pheidippides Hourglass Watch looks like it might be another “minimalist” watch, or perhaps some ironic take on the smart watches that mimic a flat analog dial. And sure, I can see that, if you only view the watch straight on. As soon as it is angled even a little bit, you see something is quite different about the watch.

You see, the Pheidippides Hourglass Watch actually is a squared-off sapphire dome (for lack of a better descriptor) – and on the sides, you can see some hour markers rolling around. When I first saw this, I thought we had a very clever way to keep a single-hand design (on the top), while giving down-to-the-minute accuracy via the sides. That is not the case. However, you can still get down to the normal one-hander accuracy, as there are 15-minute hash marks, and you can read that time via a mark on the case at the 6 o’clock position.

So, while the Pheidippides Hourglass Watch may not be quite as clever as I first thought it to be, it is still a very slick way of doing a single-hand watch that does not look like some slight variation on something MeisterSinger has already done. In some ways, I view the Pheidippides Hourglass Watch in the same vein as the watches from Ressence. They both have very flat looks to them, with a large glass “dome” on top. sure, there are marked differences, but they are more similar in my mind than the specs might suppose.

While I personally am not a big fan of single-hand watches, I know plenty of folks are. If you’re looking for a very modern take on that minimalism, then I think you would be hard-pressed to find something more unique than the Pheidippides Hourglass Watch. The project just launched a few days ago; you can jump in on it with earlybird pricing starting at just under $1,350 (€1195). If back the project, please do comment below as to why you gravitated towards the watch (and for those who didn’t, why not comment as well)? Once things get closer to fruition on the watch (presuming it does), if we’re able to go hands-on, we’ll of course do that and bring you our take on the piece. pheidippides-watches.com

Watch Overview

Brand & Model: Pheidippides Hourglass Watch

Price: Earlybird pricing starts at just under $1,350 (plus shipping and VAT, if applicable)
Who we think it might be for: You like modern, you like minimalism, and you like single-handers
Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?: Not likely – single-hand watches really aren’t my thing

If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: If there is a future iteration, work out a way to have the side move independently and provide a minutes readout, thereby giving two-hand functionality in a single-hand look
What spoke to me the most about this watch: It has to be that squared-off dome look

Tech Specs from Pheidippides

Polished or brushed stainless steel case, 41mm in diameter, 12.0mm thick, 50mm lug-to-lug
Polished or brushed stainless steel back, screw-in, see-through and engraved
Matte lacquered pastel colored dial in blue, rosé, green, yellow or sand