For WatchTime?s upcoming Design Special 2018, we sat down with several different design professionals ? including independent industrial designers, freelance watch designers, lead designers of large brands, and even a movement designer ? to talk about how they see the role of design in watchmaking, where they get their ideas from, and what they think good design is. Here is what Sébastien Chaulmontet, Head of Innovation and Marketing at Sellita SA in La Chaux-de-Fonds, had to say.

“Good watch designers should also have a profound

understanding of the functioning of a watch movement.”

WT: In your opinion, what is the role of a designer in the world of watchmaking"

SC: Well, like in any other field, [it’s] to make beautiful products which meet, and hopefully exceed, the customers? expectations. The thing which might be slightly different in the field of mechanical watches is the highly technical and functional aspect of a watch. Therefore, good watch designers should also have a profound understanding of the functioning of a watch movement. In addition, in modern high-complicated watches, you can barely dissociate the case, dial and movement. They are very much integrated and should therefore be designed as a whole. WT: How did you get into designing movements"

SC: Firstly, [I had] a deep interest in mechanics. Secondly, it was the wish to realize new displays and complications. When I conceive a movement, I always start with the layout an...