Inspired by the genius of Leonardo da Vinci, who could draw/write with both hands and also write in reverse, the folks at Col&MacArthur designed the Leonardo 1519 a watch that, just like da Vincis writing, runs in reverse. An incredibly intriguing watch that pays tribute to the greatest genius of the Rennaissance, the Leonardo 1519 quite literally runs anti-clockwise, with the hands running backward and the numbers on the watch oriented in reverse. The watch sports a few other key details that celebrate the Italian artist and creators life, from his artworks like the Vitruvian Man and the Battle of Anghiari, as well as concepts like the Fibonacci sequence, which da Vincis believed to have used heavily in his art and architecture.Have you ever thought of why clocks move clockwise? The reasons pretty simple if you work backward to the ancestor of the modern clock the sundial. Invented in the northern hemisphere, sundials relied on the shadow of the sun to tell time, and as a result, the sun cast its shadow in a way that caused the dial to move clockwise. So naturally, when clocks were first engineered, they were made to mimic the movement of the shadow on the sundial. If sundials were first made in the southern hemisphere, clocks would rotate the absolute opposite of how they do today. With the Leonardo 1519, the watchmakers at Col&MacArthur are simply exploring this unique reverse timekeeping trend while celebrating the most notable genius of the 15th century.Designer: Col&MacArthurClick Here to Buy Now: $325 $540 (40% off). Hurry, 10/15 left!The name Leonardo 1519 holds particular significanceit marks the year of da Vincis death. In choosing this date, the collection honors not just the man, but his enduring influence on art, science, and innovation. The year 1519 represents a turning point when the world lost a visionary, but his ideas continued to shape generations of thinkers and creators. This watch isnt just about looking back; its about carrying da Vincis spirit of discovery into the future, making his genius relevant to todays world.At first glance, the reverse movement catches you off guard. Its a direct nod to da Vincis mirror writing, a technique he often used in his notebooks. This unusual feature may seem like a simple design choice, but it transforms the experience of checking the time into a reflection on da Vincis constant challenge of conventions. The watch comes with a choice between mechanical and automatic movements codenamed Codex and Mecanicca. You can get a variant of the watch that tells the time clockwise just in case youd like a time-telling tribute to da Vinci that isnt difficult to read. However, if you want an absolute conversation starter, the Codex Reversed feels like living in the mirror dimension. The Codex Reversed model runs on a quartz Ronda movement that ticks in reverse. Reading the time definitely is a bit of learning curve, but the watch makes up for it with clear numerals on the dial, and in just a few days it comes naturally to you. Moreover, its a perfect visual metaphor for people who believe in doing things differently!For those who prefer their time to move in a more traditional direction, the Codex Classic offers the same impeccable craftsmanship with a clockwise movement. Both Codex models are encased in stainless steel, topped with sapphire glass, and backed by a two-year warranty. The collections flagship model, the Meccanica Classic, elevates the experience with an automatic Japanese Miyota movement, visible through an exhibition case back. Limited to 1,519 pieces, this model commemorates the year of da Vincis passing and makes it a rare collectors item. Its embossed elevato dial design, which plays with light and shadow, adds a layer of visual complexity, reminiscent of da Vincis own studies on light and form.Every detail in the Leonardo 1519 collection is steeped in symbolism. The Vitruvian Man, da Vincis famous drawing exploring the harmony of human proportions, is intricately etched into the watchs dial, a reminder of the perfect balance between art and science that da Vinci so masterfully embodied. The dial also has a close-up of the soldier from da Vincis sketch of the Battle of Anghiari, along with his self-portrait, all masterfully blended into a collage that celebrates the man. Other features include birds depicted in flight, a tribute to da Vincis groundbreaking studies on aerodynamics and his Codex on Flight. The Fibonacci sequence, symbolizing natures mathematical harmony, is also subtly embedded, reflecting da Vincis fascination with the intersection of mathematics and the natural world. While the Codex models dont come with an exhibition back, they do have an artistic depiction of the da Vinci sculpture by Marino Marini.Col&MacArthurs watches are museums in their own right. Previous timepieces from the brand have featured parts of the Berlin Wall, fragments of Moon dust and Mars dust, and even honored legends like Napoleon and historical events like Dunkirk. The Leonardo 1519 is just the next chapter in this series, celebrating historic times through something as befitting as time itself!Click Here to Buy Now: $325 $540 (40% off). Hurry, 10/15 left!The post Why the Leonardo 1519 Watch Runs Backwards: A Col&MacArthur Tribute to da Vinci first appeared on Yanko Design.