House of Wunder: A New Brand Combining Watches and Jewelry
With House of Wunder, Michael Wunderman is launching a brand that deliberately avoids positioning itself exclusively as a watch or jewelry house. The Amplifier Watch and the accompanying jewelry collection share the same design language. The project is also rooted in a family history closely tied to Gucci Timepieces and Corum.
The market for luxury brands is highly competitive, which is why establishing a distinctive profile must be a priority from the very beginning. The House of Wunder label, founded by Michael Wunderman, clearly demonstrates this and combines watchmaking, jewelry design, and sculptural design in its approach. The company’s structure consists of a creative headquarters in Palma de Mallorca and a Swiss production facility, combining creative independence with traditional watchmaking expertise.
The Watch as the Starting Point for a Design System
The Amplifier Watch takes center stage in the first collection. Its design is based less on classic watch aesthetics than on an interplay of geometry, materials, and repetition. The angular case transitions almost seamlessly into the so-called “Void” link bracelet.
This approach does not treat the watch as an isolated object. The case, the strap, and—later—the jewelry pieces are all part of a cohesive design system. This approach is more reminiscent of product and architectural design than of the traditional distinction between a watch and an accessory.
A gemstone instead of a conventional dial
A defining feature of the Amplifier Watch is its dial made of natural gemstone. The grain, texture, and color gradation vary with each stone—making every watch, to some extent, a one-of-a-kind piece. Here, individuality stems not from personalization, but directly from the material itself.
House of Wunder also puts a lot of effort into the design. Up to 492 individual parts go into a single watch, with a large portion of them comprising the bracelet and movement. However, this number illustrates just how meticulously the case and bracelet design has been conceived. The link bracelet is therefore not merely a means of attachment, but an essential part of the design.
A Family Story Involving Gucci and Corum
The fact that Wunderman is launching a new watch brand didn’t come out of nowhere. His father, Severin Wunderman, was one of the most influential entrepreneurs in the international watch industry. He built up Gucci Timepieces and acquired the Swiss brand Corum in 2000.
Michael Wunderman also worked for Corum, including as marketing director. As a result, he is familiar with both the industrial and the communications aspects of the watch industry. After his father’s death, he initially shifted his focus to film, architecture, and design. House of Wunder is now bringing these experiences back together with watchmaking.
Jewelry and watches speak the same language
The jewelry collection is therefore not merely a casual complement to the watch. Necklaces, earrings, and bracelets echo the watch’s design elements. Recurring links, visible screw details, and the alternation between solid and open surfaces create a design connection.
The materials used include yellow gold and sterling silver. This approach is particularly evident in the Wunderflow bracelet: It takes the concept of movable, technically inspired links and transforms it into a unique piece of jewelry.
Positioning in a Challenging Market
House of Wunder is built around a clear visual concept: watches and jewelry are not only brought together under one brand, but are also linked in terms of design and construction.
That is precisely what makes this design so appealing. The case and strap are conceived as a single unit and give the collection its distinctive character.
