For WatchTime?s Design Special 2018 ? on sale now and available for download in the WatchTime Shop ? 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 are the answers we got from Christoph Behling, product designer and founder of Christoph Behling Design, who has designed watches for TAG Heuer and Zenith.

“The designer has to balance past and future.”

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

CB: Understanding and capturing the amazing art of the last 100 years of watchmaking, while creating new designs which are relevant today and [will] last the next 100 years. The amazing quality of TAG Heuer or Zenith watches means that technically they will work perfectly well in 50 years; it is my job to make sure that design will last at least that long. The designer has to balance past and future. WT: How did you get into watches and watch design"

CB: I first worked on TAG Heuer eyewear, and I was desperate to be allowed to design watches.
WT: What is good watch design, in your view" Any examples"

CB: My designs range from the instrumental tool watch to the scientific concept, from the timeless classic to the emotional. Good design me...