Manila’s movers and shakers recently flocked to the posh and chic M Café at Greenbelt 4 for the launch of the prestigious Issey Miyake Watch Collection, a showcase of artfully designed luxury timepieces from the world-renowned Japanese designer.

Known for his fashion-forward aesthetics, Issey Miyake fused the most creative and imaginative impulses of architects, industrial and interior designers and contemporary artists to come up with an innovative series of must-have watches.

The Issey Miyake Watch Collection features four distinct styles, each a work of art suited for the most discerning connoisseurs. And for the splendid event, striking black-and-white portraits taken by master lens man Raymund Isaac were exhibited, depicting four well-known personalities wearing their favorite Issey Miyake watches.

An exemplar of sophistication and effortless fashion, TV host and style icon Daphne Oseña was portrayed with the To watch, which is minimalist and classic in design.

The To series demonstrates a unique approach to design—beginning with the selection of a material, then extracting its character and eventually, minimizing extraneous design elements. As a result, the To appears as if it has been sculpted from a lump of metal.

Looking like a fine metal objet d’art, the To suits Daphne’s taste for fashion that transcends the test of time. “It’s eye-catching but not loud,” she shares. “I like the series because it exudes a quiet confidence…kind of like me, I’m told.”

Simplicity and elegance—qualities that acclaimed architect Chut Cuerva espouses —characterize the Vakio watch. Inspired by Scandinavian design with its clean and uncluttered elements, the Vakio has a dial-like tray set in a strong and solid square silhouette. “The proportion of the case, the dial and the bracelet are all very elegant and contemporary,” Chut says, choosing the Vakio as his alter ego in the portrait.