A conversation with Maxi, the designer behind the Doppio Bauhaus Inspired, about Bauhaus principles, functional beauty and the creative process behind the watches.
Behind every meticulously crafted object lies a process of observation, refinement, and design decisions that often remain hidden from the wearer. The Doppio Bauhaus Inspired continues MONDAINE's exploration of clarity, geometry, and functional design, drawing on principles deeply rooted in modernist thought. We spoke with Maxi, the designer behind the watch, to understand how the idea originated, the influences that shaped its visual language, and how simplicity and precision come together in the final piece.
MONDAINE: What originally motivated you to design objects, and how did you find your way to watch design?
Maxi: I grew up in Zurich, where watches are deeply rooted in Swiss culture. My foundation was laid at the goldsmithing and watchmaking school in Pforzheim, where I learned the discipline of craftsmanship through materials, gestures, and working by hand. Later, at HEAD - Geneva, specializing in watch design, I gained an even deeper understanding of the processes and ways of thinking behind the object. From there, my path into the Swiss watch industry felt quite natural.
MONDAINE: When you start a new project, what's the first question you ask yourself before the design process begins?
Maxi: The first question is always very simple: Why should this object exist, and what meaning will it have for the person who uses it every day? I believe that useful objects can also be profoundly beautiful - and that beauty often arises from clarity. With the Doppio Bauhaus Inspired, that meant thinking carefully about the wearer, the context, and how the watch could feel both immediate and timeless.
MONDAINE: The Bauhaus philosophy is often summarized as "form follows function." How does this principle influence your current approach to design?
Maxi: What's fascinating about the Bauhaus is that it was never just a style. It was a way of thinking, characterized by great clarity regarding purpose, proportion, and modern life. More than a century after its founding in 1919, this is still relevant. For me, "form follows function" doesn't mean rigidity or austerity, but rather that every line, every surface, and every detail should have a reason.
MONDAINE: Colour can completely change the perception of an object. How do you approach colour when designing something meant to be timeless?
Maxi: Unlike many digital products, which are characterized by constant updates, a watch possesses a reassuring permanence. It accompanies someone for years or even decades, while life around them changes. Therefore, colour must do more than simply capture attention in the moment - it must convey emotion with restraint. With the Doppio Bauhaus Inspired, I wanted to capture the optimism and clarity of the Bauhaus colour palette, but in a way that is both calm and enduring.
MONDAINE: What was the original idea or starting point for the creation of Doppio Bauhaus Inspired?
Maxi: The starting point was the idea of the Bauhaus as a place of radical clarity and creative freedom. Weimar seemed almost like an island of new ways of thinking – a meeting point of art, craft, and modern industry. I was interested in translating this spirit into Doppio – not as a historical quotation, but as something living in the present.
MONDAINE: The watch introduces striking elements such as the double-line hands and indices, as well as subtle geometric references on the dial. How did these elements evolve during the design process?
Maxi: I was interested in softening the dominance of the numbers and creating a more open, graphic representation of time. The Doppio already provided a strong foundation through its simplicity, its duality, and its material clarity - especially in steel and glass. Within this framework, the dial became a kind of compositional surface onto which geometric Bauhaus references could be introduced with ease and precision.
MONDAINE: Looking at the finished Doppio Bauhaus Inspired today – which detail are you personally most proud of?
Maxi: I'm most pleased with the balance. The watch incorporates colour and geometry in a way that is expressive but never overwhelming. It has presence yet remains calm. This sense of restraint is important to me because it allows the watch to be both distinctive and comfortable for everyday wear.
MONDAINE: Good design often becomes almost invisible in everyday life. If someone wears this watch for many years – what do you hope they will continue to notice or appreciate about it?
Maxi: I hope that the details will be rediscovered time and again. Good design often reveals itself slowly. And perhaps, over time, the watch will also become a quiet reminder that our understanding of the future is always shaped by how attentively we look at the past.
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You can find out more about Maxi here.
