When Architects Design Time: Tadao Ando and the Meaning of Youth

"The apple is meant to evoke a sense of adventure and to remind that the hope and courage that define youth are not limited to the twenties, but are instead an attitude that can-and should-be sustained throughout life. This is why, when asked to design a watch, Ando immediately knew what he wanted to create: not merely a timekeeping device, but a memento-a symbol that reminds us that what matters is not the passage of time, but how that time is lived."

"American Poet Samuel Ullman wrote that youth is not a period of life, but a state of mind: the courage to face difficulty without fear, the resilience to keep dreaming despite setbacks. It honors those who keep moving forward, not because they've arrived, but because they still believe in the light ahead."

"The resulting watch comes in two variations. One features the unmistakable green of an apple; the other is rendered in brushed steel, echoing Ando's lifelong relationship with concrete. Both versions rely on a play of curves, materials, and light to create a presence that is at once familiar and unexpected."

Cauny's Architects of Time Series features watches designed by renowned architects, including Álvaro Siza, Rafael Moneo, Eduardo Souto Moura, and Tadao Ando. Ando's contribution takes the form of a green apple, referencing Samuel Ullman's poem Youth, which profoundly influenced his architectural philosophy. The apple symbolizes adventure, hope, and courage as enduring attitudes rather than age-specific qualities. Ando conceived the watch not merely as a timekeeping device but as a memento reminding wearers that life's value lies in how time is lived, not its passage. The watch comes in two versions: one in distinctive green and another in brushed steel, reflecting Ando's affinity for concrete. Both employ curves, materials, and light interplay to create a simultaneously familiar and unexpected presence.

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