BrownBreath x Alive Tokyo 12 Gan-Ji Watch

By Richard Trapunski

Japanese watch brand Alive Tokyo has joined forces with hip Korean studio BrownBreath to deliver the ultimate status-symbol: the 12 Gan-Ji Watch. The watch combines the two things every status-seeker loves: sleek design, and half-understood nods to Asian culture.

It also tells time, but just barely. The design is based on an ancient Chinese time concept that divides the day into 12 terms, not the usual 24. That's all well and good if you actually understand the system. Otherwise, you're either going to have to admit that you bought a watch you can't tell time with or learn to fake it pretty damn well.

Chances are, if you're buying the watch, you're choosing form over function. And that's all well and good, because this watch is in good form. A timeless black and beige band with silver flourishes underscores the smooth dichromatic red and black design of the timepiece. Its face is a bit busy, but that provides a lot of the charm. Each of the twelve quadrants corresponds to a different animal, so the face is peppered with symbols and Asian characters. Not that you'll understand any of it, but at least it looks cool.

Classic wristwatches are so passé. Counting time with hours and minutes? Boring. Nowadays, watches are used for fashion, not to tell time. You can just tell time on your iPod or Blackberry. Otherwise, get prepared to adapt to Gan-ji time, and get yourself to the store by 子 o'clock to buy this watch.- R.T.