After initially thinking we had come up with a completely original concept, we soon discovered that not only was the concept already in existence, but that it had been around for almost 700 years, with Jacopo de’Dondi being commissioned to construct the world’s first clock face - a 24-hour face, of course - in Padua, Italy, in 1344. So why had we, and everyone we spoke to - including many watch stores - never seen a 24-hour dial?
When the world moved to the 12-hour system in the 1500s, the 24-hour dial was forgotten by all but those either well-versed in horology, or those with a military-related background.
Granted, the 12-hour, two-hand method may be the more accurate, but there’s a certain romance in owning and wearing a 24-hour watch: knowing that the hour hand will pass each marker only once a day; taking joy in the idea of a stranger noticing your watch and not quite being able to work out what’s going on; and loving that you wear a watch that is a little more unique than most.
Jacopo Dondi was founded by partners Jake and Carmen, based in Perth, Australia, in 2016.
With the support of 283 backers on Kickstarter, we were able to become one of only a handful of brands in the world to produce 24-hour watches.
All of our watches are inspected, packaged, and shipped by us.
You came here because a part of you was interested in our story; the truth is, we're still writing the Jacopo Dondi story. If you order a watch, thank you - you just became a huge part of that story.
Of course, not everyone gets it, but we're here for the people that do.
Welcome, with love,
Jake & Carmen