Paulin’s new Zapata Modul collection blends the world of modern art with 70s retro vibes
Tom Austin- Paulin extends its flagship Modul collection with some fresh dial designs, with the help of Chicago-based artist and designer, Crystal Zapata.
- The Zapata Modul Day and Night is available in two configurations, one a deep navy and white, the other an off-white with blue graphics, both designed by Zapata.
- Custom hands, dial and case back complete the look, with both versions priced at £450.
We’re a long way away from watches just being about telling the time now. Watches, to many, are an expression of style and individuality, reflecting personal taste, and as a result, are often connected with the notion that watches can be an art form. The great thing about this is that brands have often used their watches as blank artistic canvases over the years, but some brands care more about this connection than others, and Paulin is one such brand.
Paulin is a British brand based in Glasgow, Scotland. Launched in 2013 by a trio of sisters, they proudly showcase numerous manufacturing partners not just from the UK, but from around the world. Their watch designs are inspired by Art Deco and postmodernist art as well as mid-century design more broadly, focusing especially on things like use of colour, typefaces and geometric aesthetics to create something truly unique.
Their latest creation is an extension of their popular Modul range, and not one to shy away from collaborations, they have teamed up with Chicago-based artist and designer Crystal Zapata to create a couple of awesome-looking watches. Typography is something that interests both Paulin and Zapata, with Zapata’s back catalogue consisting of work for the likes of Nike, Apple, Levi’s and Calvin Klein. With the Modul, she aimed to translate her experimental and expressive graphic style to a watch design that is both functional, wearable and, importantly, unique. The theme of the design comes from the classical markers of time, such as the rotation of the globe, the stars and planetary movements – all things that are subtly depicted across the watch’s dial.
The Modul’s tonneau-shaped case is made from high-quality brushed 316L stainless steel, and comes in at a fashionably sized 35mm. While that may be a tad on the smaller side, that’s certainly on-trend right now, especially for the more fashion-conscious among us. The integrated lug design gives off big 70s vibes – again, something that’s really starting to come back around.
The case proportions do make it wear slightly larger, thanks to a 40mm lug-to-lug measurement and 8.2mm thickness. The case is, in fact, made in three parts, with a central steel body and two lug sections clamping it together. The case is compact yet practical, with a screw-down case back, providing the watch with 50 meters of water resistance. The case back has also been intricately engraved in-house to feature Zapata’s own star constellation design.
The watch is available in two dial configurations, aptly and simply titled Day and Night. The first thing you notice about both of them is the striking 12, 3, 6 and 9, engorged and blurred, making them look as though you’re viewing them through a distorted lens. This effect is accentuated by the Modul’s hesalite box-section crystal. Each number is made up of tiny clustered dots, giving that blurry rotating effect, merging in and out of focus.
Both dials feature a gloss lacquer over a sunburst finish, either in a deep blue with white numerals or an off-white with cloudy blue numerals. Both dials also feature a star-studded minute track, with Crystal’s name at 12 o’clock. The hands are unique to this watch, too, with a star on the tip of the second hand and an arrow-shaped hour hand. Both are subtle touches, and don’t obscure the look of the dial too much, although the colours of hands matching the dials in certain lights may mean telling the time takes a closer glance.
Powering the watch is the Swiss-made ETA F06 quartz movement, which can be found in many watches in a higher price bracket than the Modul, including Hamilton, TAG Heuer and Tissot quartz pieces. In the Modul, it offers just a simple time-only display, features 3 jewels and has an expected battery life of around seven years.
That 70s vibe continues with the addition of a mesh Milanese strap: these are super comfortable and can be adjusted to suit pretty much any size wrist via a clamping mechanism. Thanks to an 18mm lug width, there are plenty of other options out there should you wish to customize it further. The Milanese suits this watch brilliantly, though, and is very much in keeping with the retro styling.
The Zapata Modul Day and Night is a cool collaboration piece from an interesting female artist and an innovative and unique watch brand led by three sisters. The brand is now part of the Scottish brand AnOrdain, but this is awesome because you know they take their dials very seriously. The Zapata Modul is a trendy, contemporary art watch, aiming to grab the attention of those who are looking for something that ticks those retro boxes but also explores the modern art world in a way we rarely see in watches.
Paulin Zapata Modul Day and Night price and availability
The Paulin Zapata Modul Day and Night collection is available online from the 14th of March 2025. A limited number of watches made available at the Wind Up Watch Fair in Dallas from March 15th. Price: £450
| Brand | Paulin Watches |
| Model | Zapata Modul Day and Night |
| Case Dimensions | 35mm (D) x 8.2mm (T) x 40mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | 316L stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Hesalite |
| Dial | Lacquered sunburst blue or off-white |
| Lug Width | 18mm |
| Bracelet | Steel Milanese bracelet, clamping clasp |
| Movement | ETA F06, quartz |
| Battery Life | 7 years |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | From 14th March 2025 |
| Price | £450 |