The Lebond Siza Original Watch is a Swiss made mechanical watch fully designed by architect Alvaro Siza in 2022, at the age of 89.
Andrew Joseph: What is your favorite aspect of your job?
Asier Mateo: Learning from the best professionals. During the process of creating a watch, we work with many individuals who contribute their best to ensure the final result is exceptional. The architect and their team, the watchmakers, the artisans who produce the packaging and leather accessories, the 3D artists and videographers who create audiovisual content, the journalists who publish articles in the media, or the retailers, to name a few. I learn from each of them every day, and without them, Lebond would not be what it is.
AJ: How do you approach a new design project?
AM: With great enthusiasm. My goal is to create a new edition of Lebond each year to offer to our collectors. The most challenging part is finding a slot in the busy schedules of the architects who design our watches to get started. Once the architect conceives the concept and produces the initial sketches, everything flows naturally. Every phase of the creative process is an exciting chapter leading to the final result.
AJ: How do you balance functionality and aesthetics in your designs?
AM: The balance between form and function in Lebond Watches is particularly important. We want our watches to be special, yet also proportional, balanced, and comfortable on the wrist. A watch is not a piece of art to be hung on a wall and admired; watches must be designed to integrate seamlessly with the wrist and display the time effectively. That said, the architects we collaborate with are masters at successfully blending form and function in their architectural projects, and they achieve the same with Lebond watches.
Inspired by the Leça Swimming Pool, the Lebond Siza Original watch features a case shaped like the pool and hands modeled after minimalist restroom signs used in various architectural projects.
AJ: What is your favorite place to find inspiration?
AM: Lebond House, our headquarters in Barcelona, was personally designed by me in 2021 with the goal of creating a serene and inspiring workplace. I believe we successfully achieved that goal.
AJ: How do you incorporate client feedback into your designs?
AM: Our clients, or as we like to call them, the Lebond Collectors, are the most important part of Lebond. Without them, Lebond wouldn’t exist. We maintain close communication with many of them and strive to incorporate their valuable feedback into our designs. Their input has helped us improve many aspects of our brand and our watches.
AJ: What is your favorite design-related quote?
AM: “Less is more,” a famous quote by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, one of my favorite architects in history. Other related quotes, such as “More with less” or “Simplicity is the resolution of complexity,” also resonate deeply with me.
The back of this watch reveals intricate mechanics, showcasing its precision and craftsmanship.
AJ: What would your dream project or dream client be right now?
AM: I greatly admire what Norman Foster has achieved throughout his successful career. He has been a revolutionary in architecture, design, and even society. I know he likes watches, and it would be a dream come true to collaborate with him on designing a special piece. I hope he reads these lines!
AJ: Can you describe a project that you’re particularly proud of?
AM: I am very proud of the editions we have created at Lebond. If I had to choose one, it would be the first Lebond Edition: the Lebond Siza watch. Meeting and working with Álvaro Siza was an unparalleled experience. He is a fantastic architect but also a wonderful person. It’s no surprise that he is one of the most respected and admired architects in the world.
Additionally, I am very proud of the Lebond Award initiative, which will have a highly positive impact by motivating and giving visibility to the most outstanding architecture students worldwide.
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