LEE YUEN-RAPATI
DESIGNER
@ONEHOURWATCH
“So, despite drawing and illustration being the backbone of what I do and love to do, I have pretty shaky hands. It’s something that I’ve learned to live with, but I think it has also really influenced how I do my drawings and illustrations.”
Lee Yuen-Rapati is a designer specialising in watch and type design, and illustration. He holds a Master’s degree in typeface design from the University of Reading and a Bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary design from NSCAD University. Currently, he works as a designer for the Fears Watch Company and provides design consultancy services for other watch brands.
In September 2014, Lee started the One Hour Watch series to learn about watch design and practice drawing techniques. This project involves creating a new original watch drawing every day in one hour or less. While most drawings are original designs, the series occasionally features caricatures or cartoons of iconic watches. As of 2024, the project has reached an impressive consecutive daily count of over 3,000 drawings. The entire collection can be viewed on Instagram, showcasing Lee’s dedication and passion for watch design.
Lee has collaborated with independent watchmakers like Ming, Habring², and Joshua Shapiro. He also created the conceptual art for MB&F’s HM10 Panda watch for Only Watch 2024. Lee played a key role in designing the Kudoke 2 “Zodiac” – SJX Edition Two, creating custom hour markers inspired by Babylonian and Ancient Greek star signs.