Sevenfriday PE2/01: A Bold Step into Retro-Futuristic Design

Swiss lifestyle brand Sevenfriday continues to redefine the watchmaking landscape with the introduction of the PE2/01, a striking new model within its ME- and PE-Series collections. The PE2/01 marks a refined evolution of the brand's identity, exploring retro-futuristic design with a rich palette of browns and coffee tones. This timepiece exemplifies the fusion of the brand's signature industrial inspiration with a streamlined, organized aesthetic, showcasing Sevenfriday's evolving vision while staying true to its roots.

Sevenfriday's Vision: Redefining Timepieces

Since its inception, Sevenfriday has been known for pushing the boundaries of traditional watchmaking. The brand's philosophy centers around living each day with enthusiasm and embracing innovation. Sevenfriday's designs are heavily influenced by industrial elements—machines, engines, tools, and architecture—while promoting a sense of community built around shared values of creativity and connectivity. The PE2/01 builds upon this ethos by integrating modern technology with timeless craftsmanship, featuring NFC authentication to enhance both the physical and digital experience for the owner.

Retro-Futuristic Design: A Nod to the Past, A Glimpse into the Future

The PE2/01 embodies a unique blend of retro-futuristic design, a concept that draws from past visions of the future. This aesthetic embraces bold, industrial forms and textures while looking forward to a more efficient and sophisticated design. For the PE2/01, this is evident in the reimagined SEVENFRIDAY cushion case, which has been refined into a cleaner, more organized shape compared to earlier, more mechanical-inspired models. This thoughtful balance of innovation and familiarity is a nod to the "MAYA" principle—Most Advanced, Yet Acceptable—ensuring the design remains both bold and approachable.

At the heart of the design philosophy is a blend of brutalism and aerodynamism. Brutalism, known for its raw and geometric forms found in mid-century architecture, offers a sense of strength and solidity. Meanwhile, aerodynamism introduces smoother, more flowing lines for an efficient, fast-moving appeal. These influences come together in the dial, where elements evoke the texture of industrial machines—such as the grilles of speakers or the platters of a hard disk drive—bringing the past into the future.

Case Design: Minimalist in Detail 

The foundation of the PE2/01 is its distinctive stainless steel case, which features a Coffee Brown PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) treatment, lending it a deep, warm hue. The case dimensions—44.5mm across and 44mm vertically, with a thickness of 12.55mm—retain the iconic SEVENFRIDAY cushion shape while introducing softer, more aerodynamic contours. The top of the case showcases horizontal satin brushing, while the case sides and bezel are polished, creating a striking contrast in light reflection.

One of the most eye-catching features of the case is the grooved bezel, filled with Matt Black Berlac lacquer. This adds a subtle layer of visual complexity while enhancing the structured, organized look. The bezel’s inner angled surface is finished with sunray brushing, catching the light dynamically and contrasting beautifully with the polished flat top.

Dial: Layers of Texture and Depth

The PE2/01’s dial is a work of art, constructed in four distinct layers that provide a remarkable sense of depth and texture. The outermost layer is a black inner sloped plate with a soft-touch finish, offering a tactile quality that contrasts with the metallic elements elsewhere. Moving inward, a galvanic brown outer ring serves as a visual bridge between the outer flange and the central dial components, further enhancing the layered effect.

The dial also features a 9 o'clock marker outlined in galvanic black opalin and filled with beige, ensuring clear visibility and creating a striking contrast against the brown background. Beneath this, the base plate is finished in black galvanic sandblasting, grounding the dial in a dark, textured foundation. The central plate, treated with the same brown PVD finish as the case, is brushed at a 45-degree angle, referencing the smooth, spun metal surfaces found in industrial machinery.

Time Indication: A Unique System for Reading Time

A key highlight of the PE2/01 is its unique time-telling system. Rather than traditional hands for the hour display, the watch uses a rotating disc system. The hour disc, finished in galvanic black opalin, features raised numerals and markers in glossy beige. As the disc rotates, the current hour numeral aligns with a fixed indicator point on the dial, creating a distinct and modern way to read the time.

The minute hand is a more traditional design but is crafted in fine sandblasted brown with matt black details and a luminous beige pointer for legibility in low light. The combination of the rotating hour disc and the minute hand offers a unique time-reading experience characteristic of SEVENFRIDAY’s innovative approach to watchmaking.

Technology Meets Craftsmanship: NFC Integration

Further elevating the PE2/01 is the integration of NFC (Near Field Communication) technology embedded in the caseback. This NFC chip allows the watch to connect with the SEVENFRIDAY mobile app, providing features such as secured authentication and registration. This forward-thinking approach not only ensures the authenticity of each timepiece but also connects the physical watch to a digital ecosystem, creating an enhanced experience for the wearer.

Strap and Clasp: Premium Comfort and Secure Fit

The PE2/01 is paired with a brown genuine calf leather strap, carefully selected to complement the Coffee Brown PVD treatment of the case. The strap features contrasting black stitching and is secured with a stainless steel butterfly clasp, which ensures a secure closure and helps reduce wear and tear on the leather. The strap's tapering design, from 26mm at the lugs to 22mm at the buckle, enhances wearing comfort and allows for a more tailored fit.

Performance: Reliable and Robust

Powering the PE2/01 is the TMI NH35 automatic movement, a well-regarded Japanese calibre known for its reliability and robustness. With a power reserve of approximately 41 hours, the NH35 ensures the watch remains powered for an extended period when worn regularly. This movement offers three-hand timekeeping and a date function, making it a practical yet stylish choice for everyday wear.

Why choose the Sevenfriday PE2/01?

The Sevenfriday PE2/01 is a bold step forward for the brand, showcasing a design evolution that blends retro-futuristic elements with the brand's iconic industrial-inspired aesthetic. It’s a timepiece that pushes boundaries without losing its familiar identity, offering a balanced and refined approach to modern watch design. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the brand or a newcomer, the PE2/01 is sure to captivate with its intricate craftsmanship, technological innovation, and unique visual appeal.

Shop the Sevenfriday PE2/01 is available now.