Jonathan Ward is the Founder and Lead Designer of ICON. He's the man who for over 10 years has led the market in restomod 4x4's. Jonathan takes classic 4x4's and recreates them in a modern context while remaining true to the original design language of these vehicles.
Johnathan is also a watch designer and in recent years has expanded his design focus to leather. He has an eye for design, along with a passion for watches. We dove in to find out what designs grab his attention and what watches have stood out to him over the years.
What was the first watch that sparked your interest in watches?
I grew up in Time Square in the 70's and 80's and on my way to school my principal distractions were all the arcades and electronic stores, real old school New York. These electronic stores would have stacks of video games, Nintendo’s, and watches. I remember when I was like 8 or 9 my dad bought me a red LCD Pulsar watch, that I thought was pretty darn groovy.
New York opened my eyes, looking in all those store windows. The watch that really drew me in (I still have it) was called the Seiko Data - 2000. It had a really interesting design and it clicked into a keyboard that you could dump 2k worth of data into. I hated memorizing and I'm not ashamed to admit that. I absolutely used that watch to cheat in school.
Those years were also a magic time for pawn shops and there was some seriously cool shit. That was where I was introduced to pocket watches and wristwatches from the 40's through 70's. I was intrigued with their designs and the consistency and continuity of the design.
From the Seiko, when did you start to appreciate different watches for their design and purpose?
Immediately.
As a child I was in my family’s attic, exploring and I found a watch in a box, a vintage Hamilton. It was just super cool. My grandpa had gotten it when he graduated high school. So I stole it. I took it back to California and had it fully restored, before I understood the value of patina. Next trip back East I gave it back to my grandpa and he wore it for the rest of his life. So that 30 40s watch deco, the Hamilton and the Gruen, that is the stuff I love, the intricacies, font, hands, the curved cases, and scale.
From your early influences Is there a through line to the vehicles and leathers you design today?
I’m not about luxury for the sake of luxury. I’m about design for the sake of design. I have respect for continuity and for product design, I don’t care what it is. There needs to be a consistency of message and aesthetic and also content and purpose. So you have to know what your utility goals are, I believe, to execute good design because you must respect the rules of how it is to be used, when and wear it is worn or driven, for the design language to really have a pure message.
Going back to before NY I was sketching watches and cars from age 7. I was sketching a warches and cars. It’s always been in my blood. Granted it took me many decades before I designed a watch but those seeds were planted at a very young age.
What’s your favorite watch and which watches have left the biggest impact on you?
I’m so proud of having created the desey. That brings me the most layers of joy from every angle.
In the general sense, I’ve always love jump hours and I’ve always hated watches that celebrate their own complexity.
Last product you bought that was under 500 dollars?
Feit brand boots. They launched a Chelsea boot and had a massive sale
How have you enjoyed wearing your Vintage Rally Timer?
So what I really enjoy with the watches that TNC has made over the years, even before it turned into a brand effort, is that they are timeless they are distinct. They are especially great when you’re traveling. You know I hear all these stories about people getting their arms cut off and nonsense for the traditional “look at me” luxury. I really find that TNC watches are great way to be an individual and show a sense of style without the stress. Like if someone wants to mug me for the watch, dude here you go I’ll give it you. I’m not worrying about knocking it into a car when I’m working. There is a comfort in the pure utility without the pretext of a crazy high value. In fact recently I was wearing the VRT model and I was with a friend who was wearing a Paul Newman and I really actually found myself pondering a question from a new perspective. Like ok well this one is $200 and that one is 2 million…what’s the fucking point. Fine if I have money to burn or I’m that type of person who is so stuck in the status ladder, but I’m neither of those guys and literally if you look at them side by side….. Well shit, it makes no sense. So these are the things that I think are so special about these watches.
The latest addition to Jonathan's extensive watch collection. The Vintage Rally Timer Patina Project.
Check out Jonathans latest leather projects including his most recent "Avanti" jacket.
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