What would you pay? The Modern Piero Lissoni Chrono

In Person: Piero Lissoni for Alessi Chrono

These went fast, real fast during the Yoox sale.  Designed for the brand Alessi by Italian designer Piero Lissoni, these watches were a couple hundred bucks off, down to $89, and they’re now long gone through Yoox.  The only place you can seemingly find them is for full retail through the Museum of Modern Art’s online shop, or, direct through the brand.
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It’s unique for sure.  Freakishly light weight even for a quartz (read: scary light… not the most substantial feeling thing), the minute markers are printed on the underside of the crystal as opposed to the dial’s face, and that top sub dial measures 1/10ths of a second for the chronometer.  The leather band feels awfully flimsy and the watch could look and feel better with a heavier replacement.  The water resistance is a not very impressive 30m.  Which means it shouldn’t drown on you in a rainstorm, but you’re not going to want to wear it in the pool.

Country of origin is no secret as soon as you see the box.  There’s a big “made in China” sticker on it.  But y’know, the Timex weekenders that plenty have purchased aren’t exactly being made in Geneva.

Wears about 40mm, so it’s a medium to smaller sized chrono.  It’s awfully unique, but if it had to be compared to a brand most are more familiar with, this is a bit like wearing a Skagen, only thicker and somehow lighter.  There are plenty of watches out there that take stylistic influence from airplane dials.  This watch seems like it might have been pulled off the dash of some classic European sports car.  Or alternatively, off an oven from the 1950s.