The Artra Designs "Camera One" is a newly launched (November 2025) limited-edition mechanical watch collection that blends watchmaking with photography heritage. Created by Artra Designs (the Hong Kong-based arm of Artra Lab, known for retro-inspired camera lenses and accessories), it pays homage to the "golden age of photography" by drawing design cues from vintage cameras and lenses dating back to 1878. The collection embodies the brand's philosophy of "freezing the beauty of flow with time," merging timeless craftsmanship with modern innovation. It's positioned as an affordable alternative to high-end photography-themed watches like the $15,000+ Leica x Hodinkee collaboration, with prices starting under $1,000.
Artra Lab, founded in 2018 by photographers, architects, and designers across Asia, has built a reputation for classic-industrial photography gear (e.g., manual focus lenses sold at B&H Photo and Amazon). The "Camera One" marks their debut into timepieces, featuring two pioneering Chinese patents (ZL202530168106.1 and ZL202520671885.1) for unique design elements that integrate film photography motifs.
You can get a small discount when you use the coupon code LEICARUMORS when buying from the official website.
Design and Features
Each watch in the collection is a mechanical piece with premium materials, hand-finished movements, and a sapphire caseback for viewing the intricate internals—mirroring the transparency of a camera's mechanics. Key highlights include:
- Case and Dial: 42mm stainless steel cases with exhibition casebacks. Dials evoke camera elements like film canisters, shutter blades, and lens apertures, with motifs inspired by iconic gear (e.g., subtle engravings of historical camera silhouettes).
- Movement: Powered by reliable Japanese Seiko automatic movements (e.g., NH35 or similar), ensuring accuracy and longevity without the need for batteries.
- Strap and Finishing: Options in leather or metal mesh, with hand-stitched details. Water resistance up to 100m, suitable for everyday wear.
- Limited Editions: Exclusivity drives appeal—editions are capped, with some (like early variants) already sold out just days after launch.
The collection currently offers five configurations, varying by color, material accents (e.g., DLC black coating on one model), and subtle thematic tweaks. Additional photos shared across photography blogs show close-ups of the textured dials and engraved casebacks, emphasizing the "soul of film photography" woven into every facet.
Via LeicaRumors