Welcome to this watch LIFE. Hi, I'm Lydia Winters.
And I'm Vu Bui. OK, we have talked about these
watches before. We have.
But we had never seen them, and now we have seen 47 Zero watches
in real human life. Yes, in our real human hands.
I have two human hands. 47 Zero
is a very small independent brand.
It's entirely operated and run by a husband and wife team.
It's Cormac and Gronia. They are Irish but they live in
Anasi, France and the brand has only been around for about two
years I believe. But like I have been so
surprised. So we, I think we first
mentioned this brand in January and then like just seeing the
iteration of what's been going on with design and manufacturing
and how they are hand making these watches and especially the
dials has been really amazing just over the 6:00-ish months
since we've known about them. Yeah.
And I will say so this is we we have been loaned amazing
watches. This.
Is the first time that my mom is a big fan of these watches and
she has been like so excited. So as soon as we got them in, I
had a FaceTime with my parents and I'm like turning the camera
around and like holding up. I believe your mom demanded
this. Well, yes, she was like, I want
to see them all. And then we went through the
four watches and then she's like, OK, show me this one
again. OK, show me this one closer up.
And it was just really delightful because I think as we
share this passion for watches with our with our family and
friends, it's nice to see which watches resonate with them and
especially. Once you come from to a history
of like deep watch enthusiasm, that's that's where it's you
know your your mom has loved watches for a long time, but I
wouldn't call her like a deep watch enthusiast.
Like she doesn't have a daily podcast.
Sorry mom, you're not even a watch enthusiast.
No, just kidding. Everyone can be a watch
enthusiast if they want. Yeah, so, OK, so we borrowed
these watches. I I mean, part of it was also
because I want to buy 1. And so selfishly, I wanted to
see them because, you know, it's, it's sometimes difficult
to just see some images and make decisions just based on images.
Absolutely. It really is.
Need is to either see them in real life or hear someone talk
about them on a great podcast. Or ask your daughter to FaceTime
you and terribly show you via FaceTime.
So one of the things that I think is really difficult,
especially with newer brands, this is not just in watches is
like to find a, a, a good design language, like an actual
language of design that feels unified, that feels like it
makes sense across the range of products that you make.
But also that it's unique because many times I look at a
new watch brand and I'm like, oh, that reminds me of XY and Z,
which is three other brands. And yeah, so both things are
very difficult. So it's even more rare,
cohesive, and you need 47. Zero does have a strong vision
for their design, that's clear. And they're all, at least I
think they're all asymmetric in their design, which I, I, I, I,
I get it that some people don't like asymmetrical dates, but
this is on another level. This just takes it to full on
design. It's not just about where you
put a date, although they do have a watch with the date at
8:00 which I think is kind of cool.
But I so the interesting thing is that it's also the asymmetry
really represents the brand. So Cormac had a totally separate
career around a decade ago and then he suffered a, a stroke and
he basically had to relearn everything like speaking,
walking, you know, I mean, with a stroke especially like there
is asymmetry. So you're relearning mainly on
one side for a lot of people. And he felt he needed to
approach a new path in life. And so he went to school to
become a watchmaker and him designing his watches with that,
that experience in mind, like such a defining life experience,
but also not a good one, but turning it into something that's
a beautiful work of art. Like I, I get like kind of
choked up even like thinking about it or talking about it,
because to me, I already liked the asymmetrical designs when
you first showed them to me. And then you told me Cormac
story and I was like, wow, like it, it, it combines together in
a really beautiful way. And I was very fortunate to have
these watches. And when a friend was visiting,
and she also, she's quite young, similar age to me, but during
surgery, she also had a stroke. And so I brought them to a lunch
that we were having and I showed her the watches and she was
like, all these are so cool because, I mean, they're so
unique. There's the skeletonized dial,
the big three on it. You know, she really loves the
36mm. So she was trying it on.
And then I said, well, you know, the reason I brought them
specifically to show you is because of his story.
She immediately like burst into tears, as did I.
Now I'm going to, so you got to. But because, like for her, she
understood in such a deeper way than we can understand, like why
that asymmetry, you know, that it, it can become something that
even though it changed, you know, her and also I'm sure
Cormac in such a big way there. It's like the story of 47 Zero
is like overcoming and triumph and like building something new
and beautiful. And so it was, it was just a
truly, Yeah. It made me even more attached to
both the watches and the story. Absolutely.
And so, OK there the the brand slogan is life is greater than
time and the greater than is the greater than symbol, right.
So it's just life greater than symbol time.
And that, I think, sums up a lot of what you were just talking
about. Very much so.
Then they also they have three values stated on their website.
And I like it when companies state values because I really,
okay, you know, I say company here we're talking about.
Two people, yeah, but it's a brand.
But it is a brand, and I think it's a great thing to put your
values out there. And there's three values.
The first one is quality. That just makes sense.
OK, good quality #2 And this is honestly, this will be on our
website if we decide to ever put our values out there.
But you just said everyone should and now we're.
Like we're like, oh our. Website doesn't like my values
are loosey goosey and. My values are watches,
positivity. I just, I, I, I really, I feel
like that's a rare thing to see as a value when it comes to any
kind of business. That positivity is part of it
and. I and again this positivity.
It's with us. The positivity born out of
something really difficult, like an entire career change, a shift
in life, and then like having positivity.
And that's what I felt like when I got to show these to my
friend. Like she that resonated with her
is like this beauty and coming out of adversity.
But also that the asymmetry in the design is an ode to this
difficult period and this hard thing, but kind of showing the
beauty in it too. That's I'm just too poetic now.
In the night area, yeah. Wow.
It's so beautiful, it's so incredible.
And value #3 is uniqueness and I really this one probably is not
a rare value that you hear stated.
However I think it's rarely true.
And when I look, if you just go to the website and check out
their watches, like not only are there a bunch of different
designs, but even within the same design, because of the
process of making them, especially the dials, they're
all handmade, a lot of engraving, a lot of like surface
treatments like oxidation and stuff.
Yeah, that's what my mom immediately loved, like the a
copper type oxidation color. She's like, that's and it.
Makes each one unique because you know it.
It's kind of like like like patina, like if you think about
a bronze watch and how it patinas, each one will look
different, right? Well, but this is on the dial
and they don't I don't think they'll change over time.
I didn't ask. I don't know, but I don't think
so. But you can.
OK, check out. We took a few photos.
So check out our Instagram account at this Watch Life
podcast because you kind of need to see these to really get what
we're talking. About yeah, but don't do that if
you're driving and listening. No, not.
Not right now. Later in the day, just.
Especially if you I just. Want to make sure all of our
listeners are being very careful, but.
If you're just sitting on the couch, feel free.
Feel free OK the watch I liked the most from the beginning from
Instagram, the the watch that started it all for me is called
the big Three. And the reason it's called the
big three? Well, it's got a big.
Three, I love that. I like you know what I like A
naming convention that's very clear.
It's also an open work dial, so you can see the movement through
it and the movement has been surface coated.
So it is all gold colored and the dye is made.
I'm not sure exactly what the dial is made of, but it's all
engraved. So the the giant 3 and all the
indices, everything is engraved into that surface treatment.
And so the Verdi grease, which is one of the colors that I
really love. And then you have these
engravings. So everything is engraved into
it and then you have the cutouts for the movement.
I just think the big three design is amazing and this.
Is my mom's favorite and she was very much originally like I like
the Verdi Grease, but then she really liked the black version
because of the contrast. She changed her mind.
She made me show them back and forth and back and forth and I
was like, OK, but I really like this.
It's super cute. Yeah, actually that one is
tobacco. So it's like a really dark
brown, but it looks almost. Yeah, that's true.
Probably when you're showing it on FaceTime it looks black.
It does, actually, yeah. Now that she knows there's a
hint of brown, she's going to be like, I'm back to the very
degrees. That Lady doesn't like Brown.
So OK, you've got all these techniques that give different
finishes to the dials and that that has been one, the thing
that has made it most difficult for me to choose one because I
do think I like the Verdi grace the most.
But I also agree with your mom. That I do.
Like some of the darker dials because then that contrast is
pretty amazing. But they all his watches come in
36 and 39. Which is awesome.
I wish everyone in the world did that, Yeah.
And and so you can get the same designs in in, in in either.
I think they also do 42 millimetre, but let's just focus
on 36 and 39. The 36 fits me perfectly.
Yeah, it looks. Really.
Nice thought. I'd be into the 39 because 39
usually is, but I don't know. There's something about these
works really well. And you and I'm always 36 the.
36 It's like you wish that watches only came in 36.
Well, no, that's not true 'cause then other I just.
What I meant is that there was always a 36mm.
Yes, exactly. That's why I think this is
awesome. Yes, OK.
And we also got another design. It's called limp pair, and that
is a French word for odd or odd numbers.
And it is, well, it's a watch where the only numerals on it
are the odd ones. So it's like 1357911.
And I think that's pretty cool because just a different way to
look at the time we're so used to seeing.
Not OK, the three and the 9 are not rare, right?
But 111 five and seven you don't usually see on a dial.
OK. I'm going to go back to being
really romantic about it again, but I mean, OK, but I, I see
part of this as being like it. It reminds you that everyone
thinks differently or some people need to think
differently, like in order to, you know, in this case of, of
talking about like overcoming a stroke.
But I think there's something really beautiful when you have a
piece that just reminds you that, like life is different for
each person. And like that there are things
that are just like, oh normal the the full die of 12369.
So-called normal, yeah. Yeah, the so-called normal, but
instead with this, and I love the name odd also for the odd
numbers, but also, but because it's like an odd look and
something that takes more time to spend with it.
And I think that's also interesting with life is greater
than time is like, yeah, if you want the quickest version, then
you're like, oh, what, how what's the easiest way to read
this? But I think it's really
beautiful when that's not the intent.
And then OK, the last watch and this one is also in the tobacco
color and I'm looking at it right now.
That's a That is a beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous.
This is this is when you had really wanted to see and it's
called odd hours, but it's not about odd numbers.
No, it is the placement. So although this one, you have
to just see it, you're going. To pull over.
Your car if you're driving because you got to go look at
this watch, but it is the numbers look randomly placed all
over. However, each one of them has a
line there. Each one of them sits in a
circle and has a line that goes to where they would be on a on
any watch dial 1 through 12. But the placement of where the
numerals themselves are are kind of all over the place.
O it looks like a bunch of random odd hours all over the
dial. Yeah.
And I have to say, I think this one is actually my favorite.
Yeah, because I think that when you have for this version, you
have the gold numbers. So each numbers in there,
they're connected, like Vu said, to the place where they would be
on a dial. But then they're all in
different places. And so then you get that
asymmetry and that like a little bit of confusion for a moment,
but then it also makes sense. And that's just so beautiful as
you. Look at it you you get it.
Yeah, absolutely. I, I also OK everyone, I'm not
sure if they do it on every single watch, but though all the
ones that we got, like every single dial has these two hand
Polish screws on them. They're tiny and I'm not sure
that's what holds the dial down, but that's what it looks like.
It's such a nice detail. They are part of the asymmetry
because they sit at 12 minutes and 42 minutes.
That's really cool, so. That's it's just like again
another one of that design language like clear design
language details. I feel like there's a meaning to
that. And now I want to know the
meaning of everything for the design.
Because when when you see design that's so intentional, I mean,
design is intentional, but especially with this where it's
very clear and intentional, I want to know even more like the
meaning behind it. I think you should reach out to
Cormac and ask. Him.
Yeah, exactly. I'm very excited.
He's been like, he's talked to me a lot on what's happened.
That's been really nice to be able to just ask questions but
also just chat about watches in general, which is really nice.
So OK, transparency part, Cormac sent us these watches.
We have to borrow them. We have to return them.
Luckily I didn't take any to show my mom in person or they
would be stolen. Well, then you would just pay
for them. Well, yeah, that is an option.
No, I know. Them we have to return them.
He didn't give us or pay us anything, and he doesn't get to
approve anything we make about them as just our little
transparency statement. Yeah, exactly.
But I've had so much fun spending time with these watches
and it didn't. I will say it didn't make it
that much easier for me to choose.
No, I don't think you're closer in your decision.
No, you're farther away. The only thing it helped you
decide is that you want 36mm, so one thing did.
Now you can decide based just on the images.
Yeah, that OK. OK.
I will say that that's a good thing.
OK, go check out 47 Zero and tell them that we sent you just
for fun. Just be like hi, I don't know.
Bye.