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The only certainties in life may be death and taxes, but a Swiss train arriving on time certainly comes close. While the Swiss rail system has become synonymous with punctuality and reliability, the visual hallmark of the Federal Swiss Railways (SBB) is undoubtedly the Swiss railway clock. With its white face, blocky black hands, and red lollipop seconds hand, the Swiss railway clock is an emblem of Swiss precision. Since 1986, Mondaine has iterated on this iconic design across its line of watches. With the introduction of the Mondaine evo2, Mondaine captures this classic of Bauhaus design in an oversized, curvaceous 43mm case driven by a Swiss quartz movement.

The Swiss railway clock was originally designed by Swiss engineer and railway employee, Hans Hilfiker, with the idea of creating a clock that was extremely legible and could run synchronously with all the other clocks at the station. To do so, each station clock is synchronized to a central master clock that sends out an electrical impulse each full minute, advancing the minute exactly on the minute. Meanwhile, the seconds hand rotates independently, pausing for roughly 1.5 seconds at the top of the clock before a signal from the master clock triggers the next rotation. It’s a fascinating system, but one that likely would never have captured the public’s imagination until, in 1953, Hilfiker added a bright red seconds hand that was modeled after the baton used by train dispatch staff. This one small addition transformed the Swiss railway clock into a modern icon — a design that Mondaine licensed in 1986 and brought to the masses as the “Official Swiss Railways Watch / SBB.”

Though Mondaine did not begin producing railway watches and clocks until 1986, the family-run business has been in operation since 1951. Over the years, Mondaine has continued to innovate, both as watch manufacturer and as a business. Since 2009, the brand has produced watches in its state-of-the-art factory in Biberist, Switzerland, fully committing to sustainability. As of 2019, up to 80% of the electricity generated for the factory is generated by a photovoltaic solar plant on the roof, with the remaining energy covered by renewable sources (hydroelectric, solar, biogas).

Though the dial and silhouette of the evo2 are instantly familiar with the brand (or the Swiss Federal Railways), this newest release is set apart by its generous proportions and fluid, organic case shape that measures in at 43mm in diameter. By upsizing the stainless-steel case, the clean, Bauhaus aesthetic is made all the more eye-catching and easy to read. The case of the evo2 is characterized by soft curves and smooth lines, designed to fit snugly and comfortably on wrists of all sizes.

Whether you choose the classic white dial or the more subdued black, each is equipped with the classic red seconds hand that pops against the monochromatic backdrop. In line with the Bauhaus philosophy of functional minimalism, the evo2 has no date window, placing the emphasis entirely on telling the time. The evo2 is powered by a high-precision Swiss RONDA 513 quartz movement. If accurate timekeeping is key, it’s simply hard to beat a quartz movement.

Mondaine has equipped the evo2 with your choice of a slim and elegant Milanese mesh strap or a black vegan grape leather strap. Reinforcing the brand’s commitment to sustainability, the vegan strap is made of 75% eco-friendly plant-based composite material and 25% recycled PET. If you enjoy changing out straps, Mondaine makes it easy with a tool-free quick-change system.

Like all Mondaine watches, the evo2 is hand-manufactured in the brand’s Biberist, Switzerland factory and is covered by a 2-year international warranty. The new Mondaine evo2 models are available now for $345-355, depending on the strap. For more information on Mondaine and the evo2, please visit the brand’s website.