Mr. Jones Watches is known for unusual designs. Their new Mispoes! incorporates cuteness without being cutesy while maintaining its artistry and engaging way of keeping time.
When it comes to watches, my main piece of advice is to just buy what you love. As such, I have an affinity with British watchmaker Mr. Jones.
They focus solely on the positive aspects of the watch world. The fun of it, the artistic curiosity, and what seems to be a clear mission to make watch buyers happy.
Recently, Mr. Jones launched the Mispoes! timepiece. Watches are where three elements — engineering, style, and art — meet. As Mr. Jones always does, the Mispoes! leans hardest into the art aspect without compromising the other two.
Still, this new launch stands out, which is difficult to do in a line of watches all meant to stand out.
Arguably, the way the Mispoes! leans into the art element and actually strengthens the other two elements. The cat motif manages to combine cuteness with inventiveness. And that’s, as they say in London, where Mr. Jones is based, bloody brilliant.
Mr. Jones Mispoes!: A Clever Design
Designed by Belgian artist Kaat Deceuninck, “Mispoes!” means “you missed, cat!” in Dutch. Apparently, it’s also a commonly used phrase when one misses a shot or fumbles a catch.
To tell time on the watch, the cat’s paw points at the hour, while the mouse indicates the minute. This actually makes the dial fairly legible, considering the length of the cat’s arm and the positioning of the mouse at the edge of the dial.
Sure, you won’t be able to tell the exact time at a glance, at least not immediately, but there’s no secret code to break here.
The visuals are my favorite part. However, I’ll first spotlight the Swiss quartz movement, the sapphire glass, and the 50 meters of water resistance.
The stainless steel case is even attached to a nicely textured nubuck strap. Respectable specs aside, the 37-millimeter size is adaptable and lends itself to a fun yet classy design.
The cat and the mouse are drawn with a classically illustrative black outline. Meanwhile, the leaves and grass are all shades of green, allowing the time-telling elements to really pop. It’s an undeniably engaging dial.
I can imagine myself just setting and resetting the time to watch a mini Tom & Jerry cartoon on my wrist.
There’s a balance of wholesomeness, the vibe you get from illustrations in vintage children’s books and modern irreverence. The colors are vibrant yet organic and not loudly cartoony, while the sketchy outlining on our characters is undeniably bold.
It’s calming yet fun, cute yet sophisticated. It’s very Mr. Jones.
According to her bio on the website, Kaat Deceuninck’s illustrations focus on “simplicity, minimalism, playfulness, and a thoughtful use of color.” Based on the design of the Mispoes! watch, this seems accurate, particularly when it comes to her use of color.
There’s a great balance here. And, I think there’s a great place for it market-wise.
Mispoes!: Market Relevant Without Following Trends
There’s always a market for unique and unusual watches, but this is especially true now. The Cartier Crash seems to be everywhere, and Elton John’s Crash was even recently sold at Christie’s.
Then there’s Rolex’s Celebration Oyster Perpetual, with its cartoonish dial illustrations.
Shape watches and infused irreverence are definitely trending.
The design of the Mispoes! is adjacent to these trends but doesn’t seem to be purposefully following them. Remember in The Dark Knight Rises when Bain tells Batman, “You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it”?
Mr. Jones can say something similar to other watch brands regarding the artistic fun happening in the market today.
Plus, in the internet age, the concept of cats is evergreen. The Mispoes! watch has a genuineness about it, as do all of the watches in the range. Mr. Jones doesn’t seem to be trying to go viral, though they often do.
Mr. Jones: A Legitimate Art Studio
Mr. Jones was founded by artist Crispin Jones in 2007.
It started as a one-man operation. Soon, however, he started tapping artist friends and local designers for collaborations. Each color in the Mispoes! watch is actually mixed by hand before being printed in layers.
All of their models are distinct, and there seems to be a vibe for everyone. The best-selling A Perfectly Useless Afternoon watch is more fun and irreverent. Meanwhile, the English Garden watch has a dark, multi-layered palette, almost like a stained-glass window.
The Mispoes! watch is more like the former, but again, it has an aesthetic balance. It’s not as flippant as A Perfectly Useless Afternoon but is equally as fun.
Crispin Jones is a legitimate artist with a background in sculpture. As a brand, Mr. Jones Watches is all about paving their own way.
Their approach is irreverent but not disrespectful, and I love that. There’s a copy on the website that reads, “We’re not interested in producing something that looks like a Rolex, nor will we ever be (Rolex already does that job rather well, in our opinion!).”
They have a refreshing candor about them. They’re upfront about how they put customers first, but that in the event of a mistake, you can always reach out. There are no bots behind those Instagram DMs.
They even have a leather strap research and development center. Oh, and, if it matters to you, their workplace is dog-friendly.
Despite its hyper-specific subject matter, I can imagine the Mr. Jones Mispoes! reaching a wide audience. It’s objectively good design, and as mentioned, the watch is solid and well-sized.
Kaat Deceuninck’s inspiration for the piece? She mentions how much she loves watching her cat play. Anyone with pets understands that even the simplest things they do can be wildly engaging.
However, Deceuninck mentions that spending time watching her cat play with his toys also can feel like wasted time. This watch infuses that captivating nature with something practical.
Even more, she wanted to make something relatable. To send a message that says time is never really wasted if you’re enjoying it.
Everyone loves a watch with good intentions. Well, I certainly do.
Questions? Comments? Let us know if you’re a fan of Mr. Jones watches!
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