Lecture by Lebond, the Watch Brand Behind the Pritzker Prizes

DATE

03.07.2025

As part of Module 05\_Product, students in the MArch program recently attended a lecture by Asier Mateo, architect and founder of the watch brand Lebond.

During his talk, Mateo shared his professional journey, explaining how he transformed his background in architecture into the foundation for a distinctive brand that combines design, exclusivity, and a strong product vision. His presentation focused on how a well-grounded idea can evolve into a high-value proposal within a highly specialized market.

Lebond was born out of the ability to identify opportunities in underexplored fields. In just three years, the brand has established itself as a reference among architects worldwide, based on a clear and powerful concept: to create watches for architects, designed by architects. Among the creators involved in the brand are Álvaro Siza and Eduardo Souto de Moura, both Pritzker Prize laureates, further strengthening the link between author design and high-end products. While the names of future collaborators remain confidential, they are confirmed to be major figures in the global architectural scene.

The session allowed students to delve into the watch design process from a holistic perspective, exploring not only the formal development of the object but also the work behind the packaging, which is considered an essential part of the product. The thoughtful presentation, choice of materials, and graphic coherence between the product and its case were some of the key aspects discussed. These insights demonstrated how design can transcend function to become a complete and meaningful experience.

This comprehensive approach to the creative process proved especially enriching for the students, who saw in Lebond a clear example of how architectural knowledge can be applied to other disciplines without losing professional identity. Asier Mateo’s visit not only provided inspiration, but also offered a realistic and detailed look at how innovation, precision, and design sensitivity can converge in projects with international reach.