Known for his straight, elegant lines, Rafael Moneo is not only a Pritzker laureate but also one of architecture's most acclaimed theorists. One of the few to master both theory and practice, he extended and renovated the Prado Museum and the neighboring Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, as well as designed the Roman Art Museum in Mérida, among many other international internationally acclaimed buildings.
But it's at Atocha Station that we find the most obvious connection to the Cauny Moneo. A square watch with thin indices, this work of art towers over the Spanish capital and served as the model for his Cauny. The case is square and thin thanks to an extra-slim movement; the dial is simple, numbered with thin, tall Roman indices that allude to ancient sundials. Moneo's goal was to represent the day as a series of steps, rather than the consecutive obliteration of seconds. The sapphire crystal and Horween leather strap complement the case and attest to Moneo's eye for quality materials and design-coerence.
The original versions came in versatile black, traditional silver, and a bolder gold. But the most striking version came later, in collaboration with the Prado Museum. The bold red enlivens the traditional silver version, just as it does with the ancient marble statues in the Hall of the Muses. Moneo was inspired by the color used by Goya in The Family of Charles IV and decided to use it when designing the museum's new wing. We thought it would be a good idea to do the same with your watch, and the result is there for all to see.
