Press kit

Short description

Description

Paulus van Leeuwen timepieces exist at the juncture of quality and minimalism, epitomising pure simplicity and exceptional execution. A seamless integration of material and design, each piece is both bold and understated in combinations of steel, titanium, gold and sapphire crystal.

Given his background in ceramic industrial design, Paulus van Leeuwen naturally takes a three-dimensional approach to his designs, viewing each as a sculptural object. This results in surprising attention to detail, down to the least visible surfaces of the designs. This aesthetic makes each piece something of a modern heirloom that can be appreciated for generations to come.

Previous designs, serviced since 1992 under the name QUANTUZ, incorporated mid-range Swiss quartz movements. Coming closer to the authentic essence of his design approach, all new Paulus van Leeuwen pieces contain only the finest high-end Swiss quartz and Swiss automatic movements. This results in lines that are remarkably enduring, both in style and durability.

History

Industrial designer and entrepreneur Paulus van Leeuwen began designing watches for his own brand, QUANTUZ, in 1992. Originally trained as a ceramic industrial designer at the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, his career began in 1979 with product designs for a wide range of professional, domestic and personal categories.

Awards & recognition

Some of his works can be found on permanent display in

MOMA, New York
Musée des Arts Decoratifs, Paris
Museum Boymans van Beuningen, Rotterdam, amongst others.

He has also been recognised in the field of design excellence with:

Design Label, British Design Council
ION Label, Rotterdam
Design+, Frankfurt.

ELEVEN

ELEVEN is the result of a challenge to create an elegant dress watch with an automatic movement.

A key design element that sets the piece apart from the typical timepiece is the detailed modification of the positioning, shape and construction of the strap lugs. These pieces, which serve to fasten the case to the strap, are placed slightly lower and more centred than the typical lugs, and are separate pieces that have been soldered to the case. Notches on the inside of the tapered lugs create a refined transition from case to strap, further contributing to the fine nature of the piece.

The shape of the watch suggests and ellipsis and is created with domed sapphire crystal and a concave curvature on the back of the watch casing. This ergonomic and elegant detailing marries the design to the natural contour of the wrist.

The dial and hands are also unique to this particular piece. The size and length of the second hand allows for a lower bezel and a more refined, slender silhouette. The minute indices are printed on the underside of the sapphire crystal, resulting in a projection of vivid shadows on the dial in daylight or other bright environments.

An ecological, naturally-tanned strap completes the understated simplicity of ELEVEN.

Specifications

Stainless Steel Case
Domed Sapphire Crystal with AR coating
Swiss Made STP 1-11 automatic movement 26 jewels, 28.800 vibrations/Hr *
Dimensions: 40 mm diameter x 10.5 mm height.
20 mm wide strap
Polished brushed and bead blast parts
PVD coating for coloured version
5 ATM water resistance
On request available with Swiss Made ETA 2824 movement

Download ELEVEN pictures

SILK

An authentic representation of the brand’s design aesthetic and quality standards, the SILK offers a flat profile with a high-end quartz movement. Its modest and minimal appearance from the front veils a series of sophisticated details at the back.

The case is comprised of two main parts with no back, a construction known as monocoque or unibody. At the back are two small convex hills. In the window of the first can be seen the gold-plated Ronda movement and its rubies – an element only found in the highest quality timepieces. The second hill’s fine blue screw is the access point to the unlocking system for the winding stem. (When servicing, this stem should be removed and the movement disassembled from the top.)

The more complex construction makes the body of this piece slender and refined to the eye, and pleasant to the wrist.

The textures of the watch are crafted with attention, boasting a nicely bead-blasted base, and a bezel with polished sides and a brushed top.

The dial is available in matte black and shiny white, as well as several colours and hand-applied precious metal leaf (22 carat yellow gold, 23 carat warm yellow gold, palladium white, copper, and patinated grey silver).

The texture of the strap is a perfect match for the textured dial – soft as SILK.