I was in conversation with somebody over the subject of product generosity; a product that keeps giving not a person who gives products. What makes a piece of design generous? Constantly delighting the owner over a period of time longer than and in comparison to a product that thrills upon un-boxing and a short duration thereafter? I would argue that a Rolex GMT Master for example, once received does little to delight the owner a year after purchase other than the basic functions of looking cool, telling the time, feeling heavy, getting looks etc… Is it because the design is so well accepted and is part of our zeitgeist or is it lacking in some way? I am in no way slighting this particular masterpiece simply drilling down into an important part of design perdurance. The next question would be, do you need complexity to offer the chance to discover new details in design? I would say not. The Daymark is not a complicated watch yet describing it as an animated, living design, with crevices for shadows and bevels for highlights, surfaces and textures that flash and flare light and colour, would not be far from the truth. Further, it has hands that align and create windows, powerful lume, a crystal that is domed, a crown that is brushed and a case like eggshell. And, of course the story. A narrative that supports the design, is in our humble opinion, a good example of product generosity.
