Project Overview

Bellaton is a refined analog watch face for WearOS that fuses British elegance with modern versatility. Inspired by the spirit of Big Ben, it sports a clean, sophisticated look while giving you the freedom to add up to six integrated complications. Whether you need a simple timepiece or a fully loaded display, Bellaton adapts to your style.

Problem Statement

Classic analog watch faces often lack functionality, while feature-heavy designs disrupt their elegance. The challenge was to create a watch face that preserves the refined look of a British timepiece while allowing up to six complications to integrate seamlessly—enhancing utility without breaking the design.

The Goal

• Timeless Design: Maintain the structured elegance of a classic British timepiece.
• Seamless Functionality: Allow up to six complications to integrate without disrupting the aesthetic.
• Balanced Utility: Enhance usability while keeping the interface clean and readable.
• Dark & Light Modes: Ensure clarity and refinement in different lighting conditions.

Process

1. Starting with a Classic Foundation

The design began with a timeless analog layout inspired by the iconic Big Ben clock. The goal was to capture its structured elegance—bold Roman numerals, precise proportions, and a clear, authoritative presence. The challenge was to stay true to this heritage while making the watch face adaptable to modern needs.

By Julian Herzog (Website) – Own work, CC BY 4.0, Link

2. Integrating Complications Without Compromise

Adding functionality without breaking the aesthetic required multiple iterations. I explored different placements, sizes, and opacity levels to integrate up to six complications in a way that felt intentional rather than intrusive. Every adjustment aimed to preserve the classic feel while making information accessible at a glance.

3. Dark & Light Modes: Balancing Contrast and Readability

Bellaton supports both dark and light modes, which introduced a new challenge—ensuring readability and contrast across different backgrounds. The numerals, hands, and complications had to remain clear without disrupting the aesthetic. Striking the right balance required careful contrast tuning and adjustments to shading and highlights.

4. Technical Constraints and Color Adaptation

WearOS has its own technical limitations, particularly in how colors and layers render on different devices. Certain design choices that worked in theory didn’t hold up under real-world conditions. Colors needed to adapt seamlessly across modes, and elements had to remain crisp regardless of background settings. Through testing, I refined these details to ensure Bellaton maintained its elegance and functionality across all variations.

5. Refining the Balance

Through testing and iteration, I refined the contrast, spacing, and interaction of elements to ensure that Bellaton could function as both a pure classic timepiece and a fully equipped smartwatch face. The final design keeps the integrity of the original inspiration while allowing users to enhance it with modern features.

Outcome

Bellaton delivers a refined analog experience that molds itself to your needs:

• A classic, Big Ben-inspired design with meticulous detail.
• Support for up to six complications that integrate seamlessly.
• Optimized dark and light modes for clear, stylish viewing in any setting.

Learnings

• Iterative Design Works: Every tweak, from numeral placement to complication alignment, matters.
• Elegance in Customization: A watch face can be both functional and stylish without feeling cluttered.
• Precision Counts: Colors and contrast require careful balance to keep the design legible in all conditions.

Get Bellaton

Bellaton is for those who appreciate timeless elegance with a modern twist. Experience it on WearOS today.

Thank you for checking out Bellaton — I hope it finds a special place on your wrist!