AndoAndoAndo x Minimal Wear VINYL PILOT Limited Edition

VinylPilot Watch

A collaboration between Minimal Wear and AndoAndoAndo

Following the success of the original Vinyl Record Watch, initially designed by Ando to address the lack of rectangular watch cases on the market, do you know what else is missing? A square watch case for slimmer wrists! The VinylPilot continues the mission of meeting these neglected needs in watch design.

The result is a vintage-inspired pilot's watch that combines thoughtful minimalism with aviation-inspired elements.

Housing

The VinylPilot features a 36mm x 36mm square case in black PVD-coated stainless steel. Drawing inspiration from the rugged aesthetic of vintage cockpit instruments, the top and bezel have been completely redesigned based on the original Vinyl Record case. The bezel is secured by four exposed screws for an industrial, utilitarian look, proportioned to fit any wrist without compromise.

Case back

Turning the watch over reveals a transparent sapphire crystal case back, where the spirit of aviation comes to life. Printed on the crystal is a topographic map of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the site of the Wright brothers' first powered flight in 1903. A radar-like graphic precisely marks the takeoff location. As the rotor spins, it mimics the movement of an airplane propeller, reinforcing the watch's deep aeronautical heritage with every turn.

Dial

The dial draws inspiration from the design codes introduced during the first collaboration (ref. 22-00), while evolving its visual identity. It subtly references Californian dials, reinterpreted through a minimalist lens. Gentle indentations create a soft depth and a sense of texture, while four directional lines extend outwards from the center, representing orientation, navigation, and movement. The triangular index at 12 o'clock, as well as the hour circle, feature arrows indicating the cardinal directions, further grounding the design in the visual language of pilots.

Needles

The bold, classic sword-shaped hour and minute hands are filled with Super-LumiNova C3 for optimal legibility, day and night. The elongated seconds hand, inspired by a radar needle and featuring a luminescent tip, sweeps gracefully across the dial with the precision of a flight instrument.

Sky blue and yellow/black

These two dials are housed in the square black VinylPilot case, designed for sky explorers.

• The Sky Blue model features a fully luminescent BGW9 dial that shines with a soft sky blue, ideal for those who are attracted to altitude and clarity.

• The Solar Flare model offers a warm and radiant hue with C3 luminescent markers, evoking sunlight at cruising altitude. Together, these variations represent the dual nature of the sky: tranquil and powerful.

Green & Yellow

These two colorways utilize the rectangular Vinyl Record case, chosen for its unique crown guard, designed not only to mimic the shape of a record player, but also because the openings in the guards allow the watch to be worn as a pendant or necklace, making it a true tool for landlubbers, explorers, and navigators.

• Green features a rich, earthy green dial with a black ring and hands, anchored, stable and ready for hiking.

• Yellow contrasts with a bright and bold yellow dial, offering maximum legibility and warmth. Both are framed by silver cases that stand out from the black square models, signaling their distinct terrain and purpose.

Technical specifications

Movement: Miyota 9039 Premium Automatic, made in Japan

Accuracy: 10 to 30 sec/day

Vibration frequency: 28,800 per hour

Power reserve: 42 hours

Water resistance: 5 ATM

Bracelet: genuine leather

Dimensions:

Length between the lugs: 36 mm

Horn width: 22 mm

Case width: black — 36 mm

Silver — 41 mm

Case thickness: 10.7 mm

Top of the case: top of the case with four screws and a sapphire crystal

Case back: Case back with four screws and a sapphire crystal

Packaging: the usual AndoAndoAndo packaging, recyclable, cool, small, fun, made of cardboard, this time with a unique theme around the pilot!