Design Duo Creates a Brutalist-Inspired Timepiece from a 1-Million-Year-Old Meteorite
In the world of watchmaking, where tradition and craftsmanship are highly valued, the heritage of many renowned European brands is often proudly upheld. These brands have spent centuries perfecting their designs and techniques, creating timepieces that reflect their rich legacies. However, a new wave of innovation is emerging in the watchmaking industry, exemplified by the creative work of design duo Phillip Toledano and Alfred Chan. Their latest creation, the B/1M, is not only a tribute to innovation but also a celebration of the ancient origins of its material. This unique timepiece is carved from a meteorite that collided with Earth around one million years ago, making it unlike any other watch in the world.
The B/1M is a Brutalist-inspired watch, which may seem unusual at first for a luxury timepiece, but it is precisely this unconventional design approach that makes it stand out. The watch is crafted from the Muonionalusta meteorite, a rare and ancient meteorite that was first discovered in 1906 in the small Swedish village of Kitkiöjärvi. Since its discovery, other fragments of this meteorite have been found scattered across northern Scandinavia, the remnants of a cosmic collision that happened eons ago. Toledano and Chan’s decision to incorporate this meteorite into their design was driven by a desire to push the boundaries of traditional watchmaking. While meteorite fragments have been used in watchmaking before—often for the creation of dials—the duo wanted to create something truly extraordinary: a watch entirely made from meteorite, including the case, dial, and lugs.
In an interview, Toledano explained, “You often see meteorite dials; they are not uncommon on watches. But an entire meteorite case, dial, lugs—all that stuff—is very unusual.” The idea to make an entire watch out of meteorite is groundbreaking, and it comes with its own set of challenges. Meteorites are not easy to work with, and Toledano noted that they are incredibly expensive. “There are no meteorite trees, so it’s deeply expensive to work with,” he said. While the price of the meteorite fragment used for the B/1M remains undisclosed, raw meteorite material can sell for more per gram than gold. This exclusivity is reflected in the price of the prototype, which is expected to fetch between $8,000 and $16,000 when it is auctioned at the Time for Art event in New York, organized by Phillips Watches.
The rarity and cost of meteorite material present a unique challenge for Toledano and Chan. Unlike more traditional materials such as gold or steel, meteorite fragments cannot be recycled once they are used, meaning every piece must be carefully considered. “When you work with gold, if you have bits and pieces left over, you can recycle them for other projects,” Toledano explained. “But with meteorite, you can’t.” This makes the production process both costly and labor-intensive, as every bit of material must be maximized to create a single, extraordinary timepiece.
The Muonionalusta meteorite itself is primarily composed of iron, which presented another challenge for the designers. Meteorite metal is prone to rusting over time, so the duo had to coat the watch with an anti-rust finish to protect it. However, the material’s inherent beauty more than compensates for the challenges it presents. The meteorite features distinctive striations known as Widmanstätten patterns, which are the result of its long journey through space and the unique way it crystallized as it cooled. These patterns give the watch a mesmerizing, “otherworldly” appearance, which Toledano describes as “glittering slightly” when the light catches it. The patterns give the B/1M an almost ethereal quality, adding to the mystique and allure of the timepiece.
In addition to the meteorite case, Toledano and Chan opted for a gray ostrich leg strap to complement the industrial, concrete-like texture of the watch. The contrast between the watch’s hard, metallic appearance and the soft, organic texture of the ostrich leather strap creates a striking visual balance, highlighting the duo’s commitment to exploring the fusion of different materials and textures in their designs. This attention to detail and dedication to pushing boundaries reflects their broader philosophy of watchmaking, which centers on innovation, artistic expression, and new material exploration.
The B/1M is still in prototype form, and Toledano and Chan have plans to produce the watch in limited numbers. However, due to the scarcity and uniqueness of the Muonionalusta meteorite, each timepiece will have its own distinct appearance, making every B/1M a one-of-a-kind creation. The duo’s ultimate goal is to offer a limited production run of watches that are as unique as the materials they are crafted from. “The interesting part of watchmaking for us is exploring new materials and forms,” Toledano shared. Their bold approach to design is reflective of their shared vision of creating timepieces that are as much about artistic expression as they are about functionality.
Toledano and Chan’s journey into the world of watchmaking began in 2021, when they co-founded their brand after connecting on Instagram. Their shared passion for Brutalism, a post-war architectural movement known for its raw, angular forms, served as a major influence in their designs. The B/1M, like its predecessor, the B/1, draws heavily on the Brutalist aesthetic, particularly the windows of the Breuer Building in New York. Designed by the legendary modernist architect Marcel Breuer in the 1960s, the Breuer Building is known for its austere, top-heavy structure, punctuated by trapezoidal windows. Toledano and Chan’s watch designs take inspiration from these distinctive windows, incorporating their angular, asymmetric forms into the watch’s case and dial.
In keeping with the minimalist principles of Brutalism, the faces of both the B/1 and B/1M are devoid of numbers or symbols. This lack of ornamentation mirrors the design philosophy of the Breuer Building, which emphasizes function and form over decoration. When questioned about the legibility of the watch, Toledano humorously dismissed concerns, saying, “If you’re looking at that watch face and you can’t tell the time, you know you’ve got bigger problems.” This witty remark underscores the designers’ confidence in their bold design choices, which prioritize artistic expression over conventional expectations.
Despite the unconventional nature of the B/1M, Toledano and Chan have been pleasantly surprised by the response to their work. The original steel version of their watch sold out in under an hour, a testament to the growing appeal of avant-garde watch designs that challenge traditional norms. “I’ve noticed, in the last year or so, a real opening of the landscape for watches, in terms of people—and men in particular—being open to differently shaped watches,” Toledano noted. This shift in consumer preferences indicates that the watch industry is evolving, with collectors and enthusiasts increasingly embracing designs that break away from the traditional.
Toledano and Chan’s work represents a new frontier in watchmaking—one that combines innovation, craftsmanship, and a deep respect for materials with an eye for bold, cutting-edge design. The B/1M is not just a watch; it is a statement about the future of timekeeping and the potential for watchmakers to explore new frontiers in material science and design. As Toledano and Chan continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in watchmaking, their creations will undoubtedly continue to captivate and inspire collectors and connoisseurs alike.