If the term “iconic” is often misused, it fits perfectly with Mr Jones’ new watch. Named M1, it was designed in collaboration with Margaret Calvert, a graphic designer known for “revolutionizing British road signage”.
But who is Margaret Calvert?
For us French, the name Margaret Calvert does not evoke any particular memories. But her influence on the other side of the Channel is significantly more important.
Born in South Africa in 1936, she moved to England in 1950. Studying art and design, she was notably supervised by Jock Kinneir, with whom she began working on the design of new road signs. Initially those for Gatwick airport, then for the entire British network. She was one of the first to imagine simple pictograms to define particular situations: a man digging to announce works, a girl and a boy holding hands near a school…
Created at the dawn of the 1960s, these road signs are still in use today. However, Margaret Calvert’s career should not be limited to this achievement, as she also created the font for British rail transport and for the official site GOV.UK. In another register, she also collaborated with the world’s most famous street artist, Banksy.
Discovering the M1 watch by Mr Jones
Mr. Jones’ watches are often (always) surprising. Astonishing. Fun. And reading the time sometimes requires some gymnastics, like with the magpie of The Silent Thief. With this M1, originality is always present, but it goes hand in hand with extreme simplicity.
At the heart of the sleek 37 mm diameter steel case, the dial is simply adorned in blue, topped by white hands. But of course, this design primarily serves to tell a story, that of Margaret Calvert.
Despite its road sign appearance, the M1 watch has received multiple attention, as the designer herself explains: “With this design, the focus is on the hands, so there was no need for numbers on the dial. I also like the 3D effect made possible by the overlap of the hands as well as the white border, which is also copied from road signs.”
Powered by a simple Swiss made quartz movement, this new creation exhibits the same simplicity on the back of the casing, with the name Margaret Calvert and the “M1” sign, subtly reminding us that it refers to the oldest motorway in the United Kingdom (Motorway 1), with its 311 km between London and Leeds inaugurated in 1959.
Priced at 275€, this watch is available exclusively at Mr Jones, on the e-commerce site or in the Neal Street London store.
