Here’s further proof that Tom Ford is still relevant in the fashion industry today. Making news in a world now awash with very young and coolly credentialed menswear designers is quite the feat, but Ford has a very different business up his sleeve.
Decades after mastering the art of impeccably tailored suits and to-die-for fragrances, he’ll soon also take over the wrists of his dapper clientele with the Tom Ford 001.
Produced under a very predictably named “Tom Ford Timepieces”, his latest project is in collaboration with US firm Bedrock Manufacturing Company — a name that might ring a bell because it’s also the parent company of Detroit-based brand Shinola. As expected, the watches will be sold at a luxury price point; they’re produced in Switzerland, after all.
“Watches have long been an obsession of mine and I have been waiting for the perfect moment in our brand development to introduce this category and have also waited for the perfect partner,” Ford said in a statement.
Tom Kartsotis, founder of the brand development firm Bedrock Manufacturing Co., has enjoyed an established history in timepieces, from growing Fossil into a billion-dollar public company to creating one of America’s trendiest brands, Shinola, in 2011.
All of his brands are largely focused on the Made in USA theme, drawing upon American heritage to create distinctive styles and products. Tom Ford’s timepieces will mark Kartsotis’ first foray in both Swiss watchmaking territory and designer tie-ups.
While no release date has been announced for his collection, we can expect Ford’s watches to echo his keen eye for practicality and immaculate style — the Tank de Cartier has been known to be one of his favourites for being light and discreet, after all. Which brings us to his first offering, the Tom Ford 001.
Looking suspiciously similar to the aforementioned Cartier watch, the rectangular watch is his first endeavour in cracking into the market, and will be available in case materials that range from 18k yellow gold to a DLC finish. The straps are easily interchangeable and will boast a myriad of colours and materials, such as braided, calf, pebble or alligator leather. Two sizes of the Tom Ford 001 are available, so they’ll make good “Him and Her” gifts.
On whether he’ll keep this timekeeping project going, Ford says, ”This watch has given me the vocabulary to now do another one, but it isn’t like I’m going to have 50 watches. I may ultimately have five models… I’m very excited about it because it’s a very simple concept that no one has ever done, and is, as far as I can tell, nowhere in the market.”
Shatricia Nair
Managing Editor
Shatricia Nair has a passion for motoring, beauty, and wellness, and is perpetually knee-deep in the world of V8s, retinols, and latest fitness trends. She has nine years of experience writing for digital media, and her bylines have appeared in Prestige, and Augustman. She'll do (almost) anything for good chocolate chip cookies.
