A New Timepiece
for the railway.
Datum connects a standard time for every place. Inspired by the role of the British railway in implementing the standardisation of time across stations
Recently we entered Network Rail’s competition in partnership with RIBA and The Design Museum: A New Timepiece for the Railway. The brief, to design a standard timepiece to display and communicate time across the UK national rail network. Having been shortlisted to the final four from hundreds of entries globally, we pitched our final concept proposal to the judging panel.
In rail travel time is and always has been a crucial instrument of navigation. Passengers must not only find their way, but be in the right place at the right time.
Datum is the standard railway timepiece of Great Britain. Inspired by the role of the British railway in implementing the standardisation of time across stations, cities and the world, Datum imbues a symbolic and distinctive relationship between a standard time and the unique location of every timepiece.
A standard time, for every place.
A robust design system enables versatility in application of the timepiece. From station tower to platform, depots to offices.
The timepiece takes a passenger first approach using effortless and established time telling codes alongside accessible interface design. The choice of an analogue interface offers intuitive time at a glance, while crucially displaying visual context for a passage of time, be it seconds, minutes or hours.
Within the design detail, the form and materiality of the bezel embodies the prowess of British engineering and the tangibility of the rail industry. Framed within the dependable engineering of the bezel, the face displays calmness with a soft and spacious concave. Smooth sweeping seconds display a steady passage of time, while bold hands and increments provide clarity in contrast with the face.
Each timepiece holds a unique identity code, locked to a vertical datum and distinct location pin, elevating the importance of place within time telling on the railways. Time increments are applied using precision finishing techniques found in commercial instrumentation.
Single sheet aluminium, machined then formed
A modular build provides simple installation and repairable sub-assemblies for efficient maintenance.
