THE BEAUTY OF WIND, WATER AND ICE
The wild, unspoken beauty of nature called Derek Chuan to the world of watches. Derek Chuan, the founder of Zealandic Watches, draws his craft from the ethereal landscapes of New Zealand. His deep appreciation for the natural world reverberates through every piece of his collection. This is not how most people get into watches, which makes this story unique.
Unsurprisingly, his first collection, inspired by the jagged beauty of New Zealand’s ice caves that penetrate glaciers, carries a sense of unrelenting purity and timelessness. For Derek, designing a watch is not simply about crafting an accessory but about encapsulating the raw, unrefined beauty of the earth itself, the very spirit of New Zealand.
But what makes his watches different? What about these pieces that capture the essence of nature so beautifully, and how does Derek create these artistic yet technical wonders? To truly understand Zealandic Watches, we must step into Derek’s world, shaped by nature, engineering, and a deep connection to the land he calls home.
DESIGNING FROM NATURE
Derek’s approach to watchmaking is deeply rooted in nature, with every design telling a story drawn from the world around him. From the texture of ice to the subtle beauty of fallen flowers, the landscapes of New Zealand shape each piece of the Zealandic Watch collection. “The texture of the ice form comes from inside an ice cave of a glacier,” Derek explains. “It’s formed by water and air moving through the glacier, melting the ice, and creating this very cool and interesting concave pattern.”
But Derek’s inspiration goes beyond glaciers. He finds beauty in the every day, like the Pōhutukawa trees he sees on his commute. “It’s a very interesting tree,” Derek notes, “these kind of needle-looking flowers. There’s a whole bunch of inspirations.”
For Derek, nature is a constant source of creativity, and he is keen to incorporate Pōnamu, a rare greenstone with deep cultural significance, into his future designs. “That’s one of the things I’d really like to incorporate in my future watch,” he shares.
Pōnamu, significant to the Māori people, holds spiritual and historical weight. Derek understands the responsibility of working with it. “You have to do it in a very respectful manner,” he stresses. “Pōnamu is very culturally significant, and each piece is carved into different shapes that can tell you different things.”
THE CRAFTING OF A WATCH
Creating a watch is no simple feat, especially when trying to replicate the intricate patterns found in nature. Bringing the ice cave texture to life on a watch dial was far from straightforward. Initially, Derek tried sending photos to his manufacturer, but the results were unsatisfactory. “It proved to be quite difficult,” he admits. “So, what I ended up doing was recreating the pattern on a small sample, like a coin-sized piece, that’s about one-to-one scale of my dial.”
This small, hands-on approach allowed him to capture the nuances of the design and test it on a manageable scale before applying it to his final product. The challenge was monumental, but Derek’s background in mechanical engineering provided him with the tools and patience required to tackle it. “I gained the skills to be able to 3D model the watches myself,” he says, reflecting on the process. “Every night after work, I would come back and draw up a couple of sketches and then draw it up in CAD.”
This technical skill, combined with a natural, almost instinctive creativity, allows Derek to blend artistry with the precision required in watchmaking seamlessly. The dial of a Zealandic Watch is more than just a feature; it is the heart of the piece, a canvas where nature’s beauty meets human ingenuity.
THE CALL OF NEW ZEALAND
So, why watches? And why now? Derek’s path to founding Zealandic Watches was not a traditional one. “I kind of wanted to find something more meaningful in life than just my regular day job,” he reflects.
His passion for watches, which had been dormant for some time, was reignited just before the COVID-19 pandemic when he purchased a Seiko Alpinist. “Once I dug deep into the watch rabbit hole, I found out about microbrands, and from there, I wanted to create something to share with the world.”
And create something he has. Zealandic Watches is more than just a timepiece; it is a tribute to the land that shaped it. “Wristwatches and New Zealand are the two things I would really like to share with the world,” Derek says, his voice imbued with a deep sense of purpose.
But for Derek, creating a watch that captures the essence of New Zealand is not just about showcasing the land’s beauty. It’s about adding to the legacy of the country itself. “It would be really cool for people to buy a Zealandic Watch, and then actually come and visit New Zealand and visit the places that have actually inspired the watch,” he shares. The idea is simple yet profound: wear a piece of New Zealand and allow it to bring you closer to the land that inspired it.
IT’S ABOUT THE QUALITY
Derek’s vision for Zealandic Watches is simple yet profound: it’s not just about checking the time but about experiencing it. “I really hope, when people check the time on a Zealandic Watch, they kind of get lost in that moment,” he shares. “They discover all these subtle details that I’ve included in the dial and the design. I just really want people to have that moment.”
His watches are designed to go beyond functionality. They are a reminder to slow down and truly appreciate the present. “I really want my watches to last,” Derek says. “To be built out of high-quality materials and movements. Because if you can’t take a watch on your adventures and create all those stories to really make a meaning for the watch, then it’s kind of just like another fast fashion piece.”
Each Zealandic Watch is an heirloom in the making, meant to hold not just time but the memories that come with it. The watch becomes a companion—a constant presence through the milestones and moments that define a life. It’s about feeling the passage of time, about making every second count. Derek’s creations are beautiful because they invite you to experience time more meaningfully, not by looking at the watch’s hands but by feeling the story it tells.
A BOLD VISION
As Zealandic Watches continues to evolve, Derek remains focused on sharing New Zealand’s beauty with the world. He has ambitious plans for the future, including creating his own watch movement. “My goal at the moment is to start a shop and produce parts and similar watches in New Zealand,” he says with unwavering determination.
In the next 10 or 20 years, Derek envisions Zealandic Watches as a globally recognised brand, sharing the beauty of New Zealand with enthusiasts from all corners of the globe. But even then, he doesn’t see himself stepping away from the design process. “Designing is something that I enjoy, so I don’t think I’ll stop designing,” he says, imagining the future.
In the world of micro brands, Zealandic Watches is a testament to the endless beauty of the most unexpected places—glaciers, flowers, and the land beneath our feet.
