Independent Hong Kong-based watchmaker, Atowak, has created a new wandering satellite timepiece — with dimensions that make it more wearable than its previous watch models.
Like the Cobra that we recently wrote about, Atowak has once again chosen a venomous creature to name its watch after. The Tarantula features a wandering hours time display, housed in a 42 mm x 13.5 mm (49 mm lug-to-lug) tonneau-shaped 316L stainless steel case.
Each Tarantula watch case is hand assembled from three layers of hand-polished stainless steel components, each of which undergoes over 20 hand-polishing processes, to achieve the best finish, according to Atowak. Moreover, the case is curved which creates a unique silhouette and enhances comfort.
“We are thrilled to introduce the Atowak Tarantula to the world. This watch is a masterpiece of design and craftsmanship, incorporating unique features that set it apart. We invite watch enthusiasts to personally experience Tarantula and discover the never-ending mystery it holds,” Johnny Deng, CEO of Atowak.
The Tarantula is the satellite wandering hour wheel in the center of the dial, sitting on top of a “cobweb” dial. Four Arabic numeral hours on each of the three satellite arms indicate the current hour in sync with the linear (curved) minute track, displayed at the bottom of the dial which indicates via the pointed tips on the satellite arms minutes. Despite all the complexity, you simply read the time by looking at the satellite arm’s current hour numeral in alignment with the pointed tip showing the minutes (in the image above, it’s 10:55).
Similar to many timepieces in this price range, Atowak utilized an outsourced Miyota watch movement and then modified it technically, for the specific time functions, as well as adding some of its own visual customizations, such as the battle axe-style skeletonized oscillating weight which has the Atowak “AK” emblem engraved on it, and filled with a gold-tone paint. The 4Hz, 24-jewel automatic Miyota caliber 9039 measures 26 mm x 5.64 mm and has a 42-hour power reserve.
At launch, Atowak’s Tarantula timepiece comes in three variations: twilight red, sapphire blue, and jungle green. Each watch will come with two premium NBR (nitrile butadiene rubber) straps, one strap is the theme color and the other strap is black. Made from NBR, the strap feels extremely soft, is highly durable, and features excellent resistance to oils and other chemicals. The strap width is 22 mm at the case and 20 mm at the buckle, and the strap lengths are 125 mm/85 mm.
As you can see below, the Tarantula has a generous amount of lume — that’s painted white and glows blue — on the wandering satellite, the hour indications, and the hour and minute scales.
The Tarantula will launch on July 18th, with a retail price of $2,199. Pre-launch is now open at Atowak.
Photos by Atowak.
