Magatama watch
Magatama Watch is an individual project that combines 3D printing with traditional metal casting, a first in the timepiece industry. This project demonstrates a complete design cycle: from sketching to CAD visualization, to Bill of Materials (BOM) and Color Material Finish (CMF) studies, and final production of working prototypes.
Body materials: white bronze, polycarbonate
Band materials: weathered brown leather, white cotton stitching
Dial diameter: 40 MM
2026 MUSE Design Award
Product Design - Accessories
Silver Winner
Duration2 Month
DATEMar- May 2025
TypeProduct, Casting, Grasshopper, CAD, CFM
2026 MUSE Design Award
Product Design - 3D Printed
Silver Winner
TASK
To bring 3D printing’s lightweight efficiency, digital manufacturing, and customization into watchmaking
&
To study CMF in production and communication with small-scale foundries
Inspired by wall lamp, a clamshell design is selected.
Design involves a casted bronze base that connects to the watch band, done in SolidWorks 2025, and the 3D printed shell that holds the watch movement, done in Rhino 8 Grasshopper.
Visualization in KeyShot
A meeting of past and future: classic metalwork paired with contemporary 3D-printed voronoi geometry.
Various materials selected to match clients’ specific requirements.
From design and sketches to a physical, functional product
To effectively communicate with the factories and fit the watchband springbar (0.8mm), a 0.005-inch tolerance has been applied to all SolidWorks files. Wax prints from the Formlabs CW40 printer and technical drawings are sent overseas to a jewelry foundry in Jiading, China. Return time is under 10 days, and the total cost, including shipping, is under 120 USD. 6 examples have been created to date with 5 sold to individual customers.
-
Wax
3D printed models for design comparison. High-fidelity models are sent to a foundry for casting.
-
Resin
High-accuracy resin-printed clamshell for weight reduction and aesthetics. The shell weighs less than 1g.
-
Assembling
Hand fitted and friction hold before applying sandblasting to add a metallic finish.
culture, look, technology
Magatama (勾玉) translates to “curved jade” from Japanese. Originating in China and cherished in East Asia for millennia, magatama symbolizes good fortune, protection from evil, and spiritual power. Combined with natural materials and the latest technology, the Magatama watch brings centuries of history and timeless taste onto one’s wrist. The piece celebrates the analog essence of time while pushing it into a contemporary sculptural form—raw, textured, and unapologetically modern.
