One thing that’s really fun being a woman into watches is that you get to play around with the size and shape of the watches you wear without concerning yourself with arcane “rules” and formulas regarding how much your wrist should be showing vs how big or small the watch is. There’s even room to experiment with how you wear the watch. So, while the Good+Evil Omen is far, far outside of my usual watch milieu, getting the chance to experiment with a watch this shape was an opportunity I did not want to miss.
Designed by Christo Logan, an architect, and designer based in Brooklyn, NYC, the Omen struck me first as a modern, minimalist update to the offbeat and off-center watches of the 70s. Similar to the Moels & Co 528 reviewed by The Time Bum a few months ago, the Omen dives deep into modern design aesthetics with clean lines, simple curves, and precision machining. I should mention that I reviewed a prototype as the Kickstarter campaign has just hit its funding goal, but if this is what the prototype looks like, the backers will not be disappointed by the production models.
The case is a solid block of 316L steel, 40mm long x 40mm wide at the apex of the curve. With the crown, it’s still 40mm wide because the crown sits flush against the rest of the case. So, whichever hand you chose to wear it on, the crown would not get in your way. The case is extremely well finished, evenly sandblasted on the top, sides, and bottom, with a perfect mirror chamfer around the perimeter of the case. The Omen will come in both a blasted steel finish and also a black PVD-coated model. The black model had the same precise finishing as the steel model. Both cases feature a laser engraved back with a battery hatch (the 7.4mm thickness can only be achieved by a quartz movement at this price point) and vital specifications. One thing that would be a welcome addition to the caseback would be the battery model, so, a few years down the line, you could buy the correct battery without having to open up the watch first. [Post publishing note: turns out the battery size will be listed on the back of the production models. Good design!]
With a completely symmetrical dial, having the strap offset from the center of the case gives the Omen a unique ability to be worn in any orientation. I actually most enjoyed wearing it on the inside of my wrist, but you could wear it on the outside of your wrist, on either hand, or in any other orientation you find comfortable. The included leather strap is supple, quick-release, and is a great match for the design of the watch. That is completely understandable, given that Christo is a previous Good Design Award winner. While black is basic and will go with everything, I think a second strap option, maybe one that matches the seconds hand would be a fun way to change the look.
The only pop of color on the watch is the orange seconds“hand” at the center. The hand is the one element of Good + Evil’s logo on the front of the dial and is a useful indicator that the watch is running. Given it’s very short length, don’t expect it to be useful when setting the watch. The Swiss quartz movement by Ronda is, of course, extremely accurate, but with no seconds track and a short seconds hand, you’re not going to be setting this watch with Naval Observatory precision. The design is precisely executed, and the timekeeping functionality is secondary.
The watch is readable from any angle, thanks to the high contrast between the dial and hands and the very reflection-resistant crystal. The flat crystal has a small chamfer to match that on the case, but otherwise disappears and offers no interference with the dial. The dial is really where Christo’s design aesthetic really shines, in my opinion. While it’s just pure white, the dial has been 3D printed in a raised radial pattern that both serves as hour markers and a meditative device. I definitely lost a good few minutes just staring at the dial, mesmerized by how the dial changes with even minute changes in the angle of the light hitting it. While this watch won’t be readable in pitch-black darkness (no lume), the high contrast and clean design means that in any other amount of light, it will be legible at a glance.
As a watch, the Omen is pretty functional. It can be worn multiple ways, it’s legible from a million different angles, and is powered by a reliable quartz movement. As a design piece, it’s pretty fantastic. The design is simple, bold, and cohesive. There is exactly enough to make the watch interesting to look at and wear without making it feel cluttered or boring. If you’d like to add the Omen as a statement to your collection, the Kickstarter campaign is fully funded as of publishing and runs through the end of April. Backers can enjoy up to a 50% discount ($149) off of the eventual retail price of $300. After the Kickstarter is completed, production will start, and the backer watches will ship. The Omen will also be sold at goodplusevil.com. A minimalist watch that is anything but doesn’t come along very often, so I’d definitely check this one out while you have the chance.
