“There’s like a Goddess, who smiles at you and then people who are waiting for the Goddess, the Goddess will never look at you. But if you’re focusing on something else, you’re working really hard on what you really like to do, I feel that this Goddess gets jealous and she comes to you. Leads you to success in a way. So people who are looking for success, never end up successful. But people who are focusing on what they’re doing, enjoying what they’re doing, in the end I think he or she is very close to success.”

This is Oki Sato’s Life Story.

As its founder and chief designer, Oki Sato is integral to nendo’s vision and creative output. Immediately recognisable in his signature white shirt, black trousers and black jacket, his minimal, achromatic clothing exudes a considered and quietly confident sense of style. This distinctive wardrobe is representative of a broader ambition of Sato to instil as much repetition in his life as possible – he believes that repetition allows one to notice minute changes in their surroundings and therefore allow for finding inspiration life’s small moments.

Over the past two months, The Hour Glass has premiered a series of short films on nine of the world’s leading contemporary artists and independent watchmakers. Featuring: Maximilian Büsser (MB&F), Sir David Adjaye OBE RA (Adjaye Associates), Rexhep Rexhepi (Akrivia), Daniel Arsham, Wieki Somers (Studio Wieki Somers), Roger W. Smith, Marc Newson, Oki Sato (nendo), Felix Baumgartner & Martin Frei (URWERK). Commissioned by The Hour Glass, these portraits profile the journey of these cultural wunderkinds and document their dedication to their craft.

• Production: Colonel
• Director: Greenwood
• Cinematographer: Fabrice Parent
• Camera Assistant: Jesper Rey
• Sound: Lucas Colle
• Edit: Frederik Vandewalle
• Sound edit: Gregory Caron
• Grading: Kene Illegems