The overarching idea inspiring the design of the dial comes from traction engines, a Victorian invention that revolutionised manual labour.

The numbers and surrounding frame are inspired by the front plate found on these engines, and the machined pattern in the centre of the dial is inspired by the detailing found on Victorian steam engines in general.

As an added industrial touch we have used a circular brushed metal finish on the dial, ensuring that although it is still classic, it is also a thoroughly modern design.

VIEW ON KICKSTARTER NOW.

This time we made a short video, including the black sand beaches of Vik and the glacier lagoon of Jökulsárlón.

Muntjac Supplies x Iceland from Anneke Short on Vimeo.

After what has been probably my busiest work year to date (ok, plus quite a few holidays I admit), I am back and ready to share some more inspiration for you from the wonderful world of design.

I thought that I’d kick the year off with a quick summary of what 2015 looked like for me, and then we’ll get back to it.

Have a great weekend everyone!

In Springtime, we visited Iceland for the first, but most certainly not the last, time. Highlights were hiking up to hot springs, seeing the Northern lights and relaxing in the Blue Lagoon.

By far and out the biggest decision we made in 2015 was to open up a permanent shop for The Camden Watch Company. It was scary but incredibly exciting and proved to be the right move. The brand has seen way more traction than ever before and having a place to call our own is so incredibly rewarding.

We also had the chance to visit Japan, which is such a fantastic place. It was hot, too hot, as we cycled our way through the streets of Kyoto and played on as many arcade games as we could in Tokyo, it was also where we had the best beef ever. In our whole lives. Ever.

I also busied myself working on the Yearbook for The Camden Watch Company, which was written and re-written more times than I wish to count, but it was worth it in the end.

Once the flagship was up and running, we concentrated our efforts back on the design studio. We have some amazing new clients and are working on some very cool products that I can’t wait to share with you, but until then, here’s a photo of the kind of breakfast meetings we’ve been having. Nom.

Towards the end of the year, we visited the new Collective Temperance Hospital, where we are now based in our own private office. It’s an old hospital, creepy and weird and oh so amazing. This is the view from my desk.

We also launched two new watches (on top of the Northern Line editions that came out in July). The No.27 and the No.253.

In November, we hopped on a plane, and then another, and another, and went to Patagonia. First Chile, then Argentina. In part for the adventure, and in part as a test run for some new products we’re developing. We hiked, kayaked, rode-horses, spotted penguins and ice-trekked on a glacier and boy was it fun.

We also worked on expanding the offering of The Camden Watch Company in the form of CMDN, the lifestyle branch of the brand. We launched sturdy workers mugs, waxed canvas bags and best of all, our own signature tea with our pals Brew Tea Co. All designed (or in some cases taste-tested) in-house.

And that’s all, in a nutshell. We’re now fully based in our new office (images coming soon!) and are on the point of launching two new brands so watch this space. If I thought 2015 was busy, then I have the feeling that I’m going to be in for a bit of a shock.

Sorry for the radio silence of late, but all my free time has been taken up recently working on a very exciting project.

Over here at AMS Design Studio we have now launched out very own watch brand; The Camden Watch Company. A watch brand not only designed in Camden, but inspired by Camden. By its rich industrial heritage and its vibrant, dynamic present.

The collection comprises of three beautiful timepieces, No. 24, No. 29 and No. 88, each named after bus routes that run through Camden Town, with the No. 24 being the oldest unchanged route in the whole of London.

From the Victorian pocket watch inspired No. 29, taken from Camden’s strong railway heritage, to the turquoise-blue seconds hand of the No. 88, based on the iconic ‘Camden Lock’ bridge, every detail has been thought through, scribbled, sketched, reworked and refined until just right.

Below are a some of the watches and packaging, to check out the full collection, visit The Camden Watch Company website.

We will be there for three months, running our studio as an open studio come workshop come shop, so if you’re ever in Camden then please stop by. We’re in 26 Camden High Street, aka the old Reptile Shop, take a look at some sneaky snaps below.

The Shopfront Now

The Shopfront Before

Prepping our Studio Space

Spraying the ‘AMS’ Letters

I decided to talk about how we evolve as people, and what advice – given the opportunity – we would want to give our younger selves. I wanted the overall feeling to be of empowerment and motivation. I strongly believe that in life, you always end up regretting all those things you don’t do more than the things you actually do.

So here you go, my Tedx – “Notes to my Younger Self”.

Enjoy!

It’s that time of year again. My family recently celebrated Pakjes Avond (the Dutch St. Nick festivity) and I love to make my gifts whenever possible.

This year, I didn’t make my main gift but I did make everyone chocolate truffles packaged in tiny boxes tied up with string. I decided to make ‘Reindeer Noses’, so all the truffles were brown except one that I coloured red (Rudolph’s nose).

My Granddad, the head of the family, deserved something a little bit different to the rest of us, so I packaged his up as ‘Reindeer Poop’, hehe.

Merry Christmas everyone!

A perfect pick-me-up to rid you of the rainy day blues. You can grab yourself a copy here.

The AMS Design Blog will be shut for the next three weeks while the team travel to Asia.

We’ll be attending the Hong Kong Watch and Clock fair and visiting suppliers and factories in China. While we’re away, you can follow our journey on Twitter here or follow me on Instagram here.

See you in three weeks!