iTAY NOY watches - IL
By Jordan at The Zion ListIn these modern times, when every wrist seems to be occupied by the ubiquitous smartwatch, the question remains: what purpose does the wristwatch really serve? Clearly, it's no longer a tool for telling time.
Jaffa-based watchmaker Itay Noy answers that question by treating a watch less like a tool and more like a piece of mechanical art.
I first came across Itay Noy twelve years ago in Denver, when our synagogue hosted an International Jewish Arts Festival and Noy had a booth there. Being a complete watch nerd, I skipped all the other exhibits and spent my time geeking out over his pieces. I was immediately struck with a sense of pride by this Israeli watchmaker. Not only was he representing in the world of high horology, he was doing it with designs and concepts bold enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the world's most respected independent brands.
Since 2000, Itay Noy has been cultivating a cult following in the world of independent horology. When he's not lecturing at Jerusalem's Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, you'll usually find him in his Jaffa studio and showroom.
His pieces are like nothing else out there: a bold, contemporary play on a centuries-old craft. Itay makes every watch in small batches, devoting painstaking attention into every detail, from the dial materials to the finishing.
What really sets Noy apart is the way he reimagines how we read time. His Full Month MN replaces the traditional date window with thirty-one tiny openings that gradually form a complete circle as the month progresses. Time Quarters is another clever mechanical concept that doubles as a visually stunning work of contemporary art. It's a perfect example of Noy using his watchmaking prowess to twist our perception of how we read time.
My favorite collection currently on offer is Jewish Heritage. Hebrew numerals replace the traditional markers, and the weekly calendar uses the Hebrew days of the week with the same funky date displays that make the rest of Noy's work so distinctive. Aesthetically, the Shabbat 40MM piece really jumps out with its geometric patterned dial.
So, in the 21st century, do you need a wristwatch? Not really.
But you just might find yourself wanting a piece of horological art on your wrist. And when you do, Itay Noy is your man.
All photos courtesy of Itay Noy (@Itay_Noy Instagram)At a Glance
Who: Itay Noy Independent Timepiece Maker
Where: Israel
Why It’s On The List: Because he's putting Israeli watchmaking on the world stage.
Website:itay-noy.com
Find Them: Instagram
Chrono gears collection
Part time collection
jewish heritage collection
full month collection
itay noy
in the
showroom
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