40 Years - The UNO One-Hand Watch

40 Years of UNO – The Story of the Original Modern One-Hand Watch
A design classic celebrates its anniversary: how a moment of inspiration in front of a shop window changed the world of watches forever.

The Birth of a Design Classic

On January 27, 1986, the young design student Klaus Botta stood with his fellow student Thomas Klüber in front of the shop window of a jeweler in Offenbach. What they saw did not strike them as a design masterpiece, but rather as confusing complexity. It was a time when Swatch was revolutionizing the watch world with a new category of playful, almost childlike designs. In this environment, many timepieces had become a jumble of hands and displays.

“Really, what’s needed here is a counter-design—a watch consistently reduced to its essentials,” Klaus Botta said to his fellow student in that moment. An idea that would go on to shape not only his own future, but the watch world as a whole.

The question Klaus Botta asked himself was as simple as it was radical: What is the meaningful minimum of a watch?
His answer: a single hand on a specially designed scale—similar to an analog measuring instrument that displays its values with natural clarity and intuitive logic.

From Sketch to Prototype

That very same day, Klaus Botta began working on the first designs in his student apartment. It quickly became clear that neither a conventional hour scale nor a minute scale would work for this new type of display. After about two hours of focused work, the iconic scale design emerged—one that still defines BOTTA’s UNO one-hand watches to this day: 12 hour markers, 12 half-hour markers, 24 quarter-hour markers, and 96 five-minute markers.

These first sketches still exist today—historic documents marking the birth of a design classic.

To test the concept, Klaus Botta later built an initial prototype. He used an existing case, painted and labeled the dial by hand using Letraset, and mounted the hour hand of a pocket watch onto the hour wheel of a conventional two-hand movement.

This prototype—the world’s first modern one-hand watch—already impressed him at the time with the clarity of its display and the calm, confident sense of composure it conveyed.

The UNO – A Revolution in Time Display

What distinguished the UNO from the very beginning was its consistently simplified approach to time display. In an environment increasingly shaped by haste and minute-by-minute scheduling, it offered a welcome alternative:

• Reduction to the essentials: one hand instead of many

• Intuitive readability: the specially designed scale allows precise reading to within approximately 1–2 minutes when needed

• Visual calm: the barely perceptible movement of the single hand soothes the eye

• Philosophical approach: time not as a source of stress, but as a slowly flowing continuum

The UNO was therefore not just a timepiece, but a statement—against growing complexity and in favor of a more conscious, relaxed way of experiencing time.

A Concept That Stands the Test of Time

What Klaus Botta did not foresee at the time was that his concept would not only endure, but go on to become an international success. The UNO has received seven national and international design awards and has established itself as a true classic.

“A way of displaying time that radiates calm and serenity. A concept that, in today’s age of increasing sensory overload, has gained even greater relevance than it had in 1986,” Klaus Botta says, describing the continued significance of his invention.

Over the past 40 years, the UNO has gone through numerous stages of evolution. Technically, it has been significantly refined; in terms of design, however, changes have been subtle and focused on detail. The defining core principle has remained exactly the same for four decades.

Today, the UNO is produced in its seventh generation and is available in various sizes and versions—from classic quartz movements to mechanical variants.

The UNO concept has also found its way into many homes as a wall clock. What all versions share is outstanding quality and the iconic original design.

More Than a Watch – A Philosophy

The UNO is more than just a watch with a single hand. It embodies a philosophy of mindful engagement with our most valuable resource: time. In an environment shaped by digital overstimulation and constant availability, it offers a counterbalance—a moment of calm on the wrist.

The UNO concept invites us to look at time differently. Not as a sequence of exact minutes and seconds, but as a flowing process. It reminds us that time is life itself, and therefore deserves special appreciation.

This philosophy of time has lost none of its relevance over the past four decades—quite the opposite. In an increasingly fast-paced world, more people than ever are seeking ways to relate to their time more consciously and with greater ease.

An Original That Sets the Standard

Over the years, many brands have adopted the single-hand concept. Yet, as with any original, it is difficult to rival the original itself.

“Over the past decades, we have elevated design quality, ergonomics, and materiality to a level that is hard to surpass. That is often the case with originals,” explains Klaus Botta.

The UNO combines German engineering with a clear design language rooted in the Bauhaus tradition. Every detail—from the precise movement to the ergonomic case design—is carefully considered and built for longevity. This makes it not only a design object, but a sustainable companion for decades. Many of our long-standing customers continue to confirm this.

Looking Ahead to the Anniversary Year

The 40th anniversary year of the UNO marks a significant milestone in the history of BOTTA Design and the watch brand that grew from it. It is the starting point for a series of activities dedicated to honoring this special occasion.

In the coming months, we will take you on a journey through the history and evolution of the UNO over the past four decades through additional blog articles. We will share insights into the evolution of this design classic, stories from the design process, and a deeper look into the philosophy behind the UNO.

Look forward to in-depth background features, interviews with Klaus Botta, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the manufactory in Königstein. Be inspired by a timepiece that is more than a watch—an invitation to experience time more consciously.

Conclusion: 40 Years of Innovation in Time Display

The story of the UNO is a powerful example of how a clear idea and consistent design can stand the test of time. What began 40 years ago as a student project has evolved into an international design classic that continues to inspire people around the world.

The UNO represents the core values of BOTTA Design: clarity, awareness, quality, innovation, and deceleration. It embodies the courage to break new ground and to question conventional thinking.

In a world that is constantly accelerating, the UNO reminds us that we should remain in control of our time—not the other way around. Because time is life, and life deserves to be lived consciously.

Discover the UNO – The Design Classic Among One-Hand Watches

Experience for yourself how a watch with just one hand can change your perspective on time. Visit our online shop or schedule a personal consultation at our showroom in Königstein. We will be happy to advise you personally.

Explore the UNO collection

FAQ – The UNO One-Hand Watch

Can you read the time precisely with a one-hand watch?
The UNO allows time to be read with an accuracy of approximately 1–2 minutes. For most everyday situations, this level of precision is more than sufficient and even contributes to a more relaxed sense of time. For those who require constant minute- and second-level precision, the BOTTA range also includes multi-hand models such as CLAVIUS, TRES, TRES 24, or the world-time watch MONDO.

What makes the UNO the original among modern one-hand watches?
In 1986, the UNO was the first modern wristwatch with a single hand and a specially developed scale. Its well-thought-out concept, distinctive scale design, and continuous evolution across seven generations make it the benchmark in this segment.

Who is the UNO particularly suited for?
The UNO is ideal for people who value clear design and a decelerated perception of time. It appeals to design-conscious individualists who want their watch to make a statement and who are looking for a counterbalance to digital sensory overload.

Which UNO model variants are currently available?
The UNO is currently available in two sizes (40 mm and 44 mm diameter), with quartz or mechanical movements, and in various case and dial colors. The UNO concept is also available as an impressive wall clock for living spaces.

What distinguishes the UNO from other one-hand watches on the market?
As the original, the UNO offers perfectly balanced design, premium materials, and thoughtfully developed ergonomics refined continuously over 40 years. The sophisticated inverted-lug system ensures exceptional wearing comfort—even on smaller wrists.

👉 Celebrate 40 years of UNO with us – we look forward to receiving your personal anniversary wishes and thoughts in the comments section.