Summary
- ARTRA has developed a mechanical watch inspired by the Rolleiflex TLR, with two stacked dials.
- The design features sapphire crystals, a metal case and details borrowed from film cameras.
- It is an officially licensed Rolleiflex design.
- Published movement, pricing and availability details are not yet fully settled.
The legendary Rolleiflex has found an unexpected second life: ARTRA has designed a mechanical wristwatch that looks remarkably like the famous twin-lens camera.
The Camera Dual Rolleiflex goes well beyond printing a vintage name on a dial. Its rectangular case recalls the front of a classic Rolleiflex, with two circular time displays stacked vertically, camera-style controls and carefully chosen metallic details.
Two watch dials in place of two camera lenses
The design follows the twin-lens reflex (TLR) layout: a camera uses the upper lens to compose the scene and the lower lens to capture the image. Here, the two positions are occupied by time displays that can show two time zones. Each is covered by sapphire crystal with violet and amber reflections inspired by photographic optics.
The stainless-steel case reportedly measures 47 × 30 × 11 mm. Fine vertical grooves evoke the camera body, while a vintage-style badge and the engraving “FRANKE & HEIDECKE GERMANY” surround the lower display. A side lever references the camera’s film-advance crank; smaller indicators are dedicated to the day and leap year.
A collectible tribute to Rollei history
ARTRA developed the design under an official Rolleiflex trademark licence from Germany’s RCP Technik. The anniversary references the 1926 Rolleidoscop, an early camera from the same manufacturer; the celebrated Rolleiflex TLR arrived in 1929.
The Rollei name also appears in contemporary film photography through projects such as MiNT’s revival of the Rollei 35AF. This time the photographic heritage has been transferred to a very different kind of collectible.
Movement, limited production and price
The watch is presented as an automatic mechanical model with a customised system driving both time displays, a leather strap and 3 ATM water resistance. Published specifications currently conflict on the movement: both the Seiko NH05 and a Miyota have been mentioned. Neither identification should be treated as definitive without final manufacturer specifications.
Six colour choices have been shown, and production is described as limited. Reports put the standard version at HK$13,800, with a more expensive special edition also mentioned. The exact allocation of units, final official pricing and release date have yet to be clarified on a dedicated ARTRA product page. No official Greek-market price has been located.
What we think
There is real personality in this design. You barely need to see the brand name: the two lens-like circles, metal rings and little side lever tell any film-camera enthusiast exactly which camera ARTRA had in mind.
For someone who loves Rolleiflex cameras or collects film-era objects, this is a much more imaginative approach than simply putting a camera logo on a conventional watch. But it is also an expensive collectible, not something that makes a day’s photography any easier.
At the reported price, clear confirmation of the movement and actual production numbers would matter before committing to a purchase. As a tribute to analogue camera design, though, it already makes a strong visual impression.
