The idea for CYCLOS arose from the unsatisfying double meaning of the usual 12-hour scale. Every point on the scale designates both the day’s cycle and that of the night, without being able to differentiate between them. In the English speaking world one adds ‘ante meridiem’ or ‘post meridiem’ in order to make the distinction clear. The well known 24-hour clock, on which all the hours are ordered in one circle, has the disadvantage that one has to change ones perception of the angles of the hand in order to read the time.
In 1989 the architect and designer John C. Ermel, working on an order for a new watch design, had the idea of making the difference between the cycles of day and night obvious. This could be achieved by using a radially adjustable hour hand. He arranged the scale of hours on a so-called ‘Pascal’s spiral’, a conchoid of a circle, a special cycloid achieved by overlapping the usual clockwise rotation with translation in the radial direction – in this case a sine curve with a cycle of 24 hours.
The mechanism necessary for controlling such an hour hand took more than 10 years to develop and is a real marvel of Swiss watchmaking craftsmanship. In 1999 John C. Ermel applied for a Swiss patent on his idea, in 2000 for a worldwide patent.The first prototype of the CYCLOS watch was presented at the BASEL 2001 World Watch and Jewellery Show.
CYCLOS has been and will be further developed by a motivated team of young, qualified experts. Chiefly responsible are:
Idea, Design and Project Leadership:
John C. Ermel, Dipl.-Ing. Architect and Designer, Managing Director of Cyclos Watch, Dornach, Switzerland.Born in 1959 in Leeds/UK. Grew up in Germany and in Switzerland. Already in school a special liking for geometry as a connecting link between technology und design. Annual task about periodic curves (cycloids a.o.). Laboratory course in the Swiss watch industry. 1980 Matura at the Mathematisch-Natur-wissenschaftliches Gymnasium Basel. University education in engineering, architecture and design (with Santiago Calatrava a.o.). 1986 diploma at the ETH Zurich. Since 1987 working as an independent architect and designer. Since 1989 development of the 24-hour DualPhase® watch CYCLOS, since summer 2000 together with Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey of CompliTime in La Chaux-de-Fonds. 2006 Exhibition of new concept ‘Square Circle®’ as a table clock at the booth of the AHCI (Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants).
Construction of the Mechanism and Prototypes:
Robert Greubel, Watchmaker/Techn. Project Manager and Stephen Forsey, Watchmaker/Chief Constructor at CompliTime, Haute Horlogerie, La Neuveville and La Chaux-de-Fonds
Robert Greubel, born in 1960 in Colmar/FR. Grew up in a watch-maker family in Alsace. 1975-78 Ecole d'Horlogerie Morteau (C.A.P.). Professional experience in the parental watch store and at Migros Basel. 1986-87 Ecole d'Horlogerie Dreux (E.H.A.). 1987-90 Prototypist at IWC Schaffhausen. 1990-99 with Renaud & Papi in Le Locle, there from 7 years as a Vice General Director. 1999 foundation of CompliTime in La Neuveville and La Chaux-de-Fonds.
Stephen Forsey, born in 1967 at St. Albans/UK. Grew up in England. 1985-87 watchmaker education at Hackney Technical College, London. Graduation at the British Horological Institute with honours. Further education 1988 and 1990 at WOSTEP Neuchâtel and 1992 with Rolex in Bexley/UK. Professional experience 1987-92 at Asprey's in London. 1992-99 at Renaud & Papi in Le Locle. Since 1999 independent working at CompliTime in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
Product Design, Virtual Prototyping
Stephan Messmer, Product Designer and Alex Seiler, Marketing Manager at Messmer & Seiler, Industrial Design, Basel
Stephan Messmer, born in 1964 in Basel/CH. Since 1988 education at Art Center College of Design, Vevey and Pasadena, USA. Graduation 1991 Bachelor of Science in Product Design with honour. 1992-1993 Industrial Design Consultant at Evans + Sutherland, Munich, responsible for the automobile sector. 1994-1998 Product Design Manager at OMEGA Ltd. 1998 Foundation of MESSMER & SEILER, Industrial Design in Basel. Alex Seiler, born in 1966 in Basel/CH. Education in Basel and St.Gallen. Graduation in 1990 as lic.oec.HSG. 7 years professional experience at OMEGA Ltd., there from 3 years as a Product Manager in Biel, 3 years as a Marketing Manager Greater China in Hong Kong and 2 years as a Regional Manager Far East in Biel. 1998 Foundation of MESSMER & SEILER, Industrial Design.
Sales and Distribution, CYCLOS North America:
John-Michael Ermel, Managing Director of CYCLOS International LLC, Chicago, USA
Born in 1960 in Guam, Micronesia. Grew up worldwide including Pacific Rim, Germany and USA. Dual Associates of Science degrees in Technical Communication and Pre-Engineering with honours. Owner of thePARITYgroup, a business development consulting firm founded in 1998. Professional experience includes extensive start-up, strategic planning, direct sales, and organi-zational development. Recent assignments as President/CEO of Corporate Interactive 1998-2001, VP Sales & Services at TEAM Technologies 1996-1998, Executive Director Marketing at APAC Services 1991-1996 during successful NASDAQ market IPO, and Founder/Publisher of the “Wine&Dine” Magazine 1988-1991. Communication specialist at Honeywell 1985-1988 and previous years in restaurant/food service business.
Dual Phase Watches by Cyclos:
The 24-hour dual-phase watch combines the advantages of a classical analogue display with a clear differentiation between a.m./p.m. or the day and night cycles. This is achieved by dividing the double meaning of the usual 12-hour scale into two loops. A radially adjustable hour hand follows this eccentric curve and indicates thus all 24 hours clearly although rotating with normal angular velocity.
The first watches of production run have been delivered since summer 2003. They are available in two variations on principle: the sporty "a.m./p.m." models in stainless steel cases or the elegant "day&night" models in gold cases, with dark or light dial each. As a further elegant enhancement to the brand the exquisite "day&night PARITY" was introduced at the BaselWorld Fair 2004. The combination of a light and dark dial makes the unique CYCLOS time display even more seductively visible: “daytime outside – night time inside”.
Mechanism:Mechanical with automatic winding, ETA caliber 2892-A2, luxury finish (perlage, blued screws), certified COSC chronometer, modified with a patented DualPhase® module for controlling the length of the hour hand, logo engraved into the rotor (Geneva stripes)
Functions:Hours, by means of continual radial displacement of the hour hand on a dual-phase scale (Pascal’s spiral), minutes, centre seconds hand, date at 6 o'clock
Dials:Either black or silvered finish in all versions, colour differentiation of the dual-phase hour scale (a.m./p.m. or day/night), with a raised outer ring for minute and second graduations, Superluminova luminescent numerals and hands (except model “Transparent”)
Cases:Diameter 39,0 mm, height 12,8 mm, stainless steel (sporty models), 18K yellow or red gold (elegant models), 18K white gold (model “Parity”), water resistant to 50m, sapphire crystal front and back. All models are available with a diamond setting to client order.
Straps:Calfskin or Alligator, black, brown or white/anthracite
