Behind the Design: How We Created the Zenmaster Watch

At pOrtahl, we don’t just make watches—we craft experiences that speak to emotions. The Zenmaster is more than a timepiece, it is designed to bring a small moment of calm every time you check your wrist.

Here’s the story of how it came to life.

 

Finding the Right Inspiration

Our brand name, pOrtahl, is derived from the word 'portal', a gateway to another dimension. An escape from your busy life for just a moment. This relates to how we want people to feel when they wear our watches.

We started designing Zenmaster with a simple idea: Can a watch make checking the time feel less stressful?

Most people glance at their watch and feel pressure—another meeting, another deadline, another thing to do. We wanted to flip that feeling. Instead of a reminder of stress, the Zenmaster should feel like a tiny escape.

That’s why we turned to Japanese Zen gardens for inspiration. The carefully raked patterns in these gardens are designed to help the mind slow down, creating a sense of focus and calm. We asked ourselves: What if we could capture that feeling of zen on a watch dial?

The Dial: A Unique Pattern for Every Watch

To bring the Zen garden concept to life, we used an idea from an 18th-century mathematician, Sébastien Truchet. He developed a simple but powerful system of tiles in a grid that, when arranged in different ways, create unique patterns.

We adapted this concept into an algorithm that generates a different pattern for every single Zenmaster dial. No two watches are ever the same—just as unique as a fingerprint.

The newly created pattern is then etched onto the dial using a high-precision laser, creating a texture that catches the light in different ways throughout the day. Sometimes, the pattern is bold and visible; at other times, it almost disappears, just like the shifting lines in a real Zen garden.

 

The Case & Bracelet: Clean, Wearable, Built to Last

A watch inspired by Zen shouldn’t just look good—it should feel good, too.

We designed the 40.5mm case to be slim and comfortable, sliding through any sleeve like a breeze, making it easy to wear every day. It’s made from 316L surgical grade stainless steel, a material known for its durability. To keep it looking fresh, we added an A-grade protective IPH coating that helps resist scratches, fingerprints, and sweat.

The lugs (the parts that hold the bracelet) were inspired by yin and yang, symbolizing balance. Instead of traditional straight lugs, they curve slightly—one up, one down—as they "hug" the sides of the case, giving the case a distinctive shape.

The bracelet is tapered from 22mm to 20mm and has thick, solid links that look and feel sturdy. The bracelet "slides into the case", hiding the connection, and creating a fully seamless look. However, it’s also easily interchangeable, because you can swap in any straight-ended 22mm strap for a completely new look whenever you want.

 

The Movement: Japanese Precision

Inside the Zenmaster is MIYOTA 9015 Premium Automatic movement—a workhorse used by many well-respected brands. It’s thin, reliable, and keeps time well. This tried and true movement has over 15 years of track record.

It also has a 42-hour power reserve, meaning you can take it off for the weekend and pick it back up on Monday without resetting the time.

Through the exhibition caseback, you can see the movement in action, including the custom rotor we designed with the same Zen garden inspired pattern as the dial.

 

Built to Handle Daily Life

At pOrtahl we design our watches for everyday wear. We wanted the Zenmaster to be a watch you don’t have to worry about. So we made sure it’s:

• Scratch-resistant – Sapphire crystal on the front and back to keep it looking new.
• Water-resistant to 100 meters – Safe for swimming, showers, and everyday life.
• Easy to size – The bracelet has screw pins and a butterfly clasp, so you can adjust it yourself.

All to ensure you're getting the best possible experience. Bang for your buck.

 

Why We Made This Watch

At pOrtahl, we design watches that we feel are missing—pieces that pay respect to our shared history of classic watch design, but updated to a more modern aesthetic.

The Zenmaster is a conversation piece that's meant to be worn every day, as a reminder to slow down, breathe, and take in the moment—even if that moment is just checking the time.

We’re launching Zenmaster on Kickstarter in March 2025, with a special Founders Edition available only during our crowdfunding campaign.

If this sounds like your kind of watch, join us on this journey. We’d love to have you with us.