German designer Konstantin Grcic has updated Rado's minimal Ceramica watch with a new case and matt black finish (+ slideshow).

The brand partnered with the prolific industrial designer to relaunch its iconic Ceramica watch line, which was originally introduced in 1990.

Grcic has designed four variations of the watch: two men's pieces with a matt finish band, and two women's models that are slightly more glossy and feature diamonds on the face.

Both of the watches retain a similar silhouette to the original model, but Grcic updated the case so that it now gently blends into the bracelet and tapers to the wrist at the sides.

The designer also developed two versions of the watch face. A simple Signature version displays only three numbers and has a white triangle at the 12 o'clock mark. Hands are thin and grey with white tips.

The other face is more intricate, and includes a detailed main dial with a smaller minute dial towards the bottom.

"In my opinion, the matt finish brings out the form of the watch much stronger," said Grcic. "The design of the dials is bold and legible. I took inspiration from pilot watches – I like them for their straightforward, clear graphics."

Ceramica is crafted from a high-tech ceramic favoured among many luxury watchmakers. Grcic claims it is "lighter than stainless steel".

"Materials are definitely key," he said. "Ceramic is one of the most high-tech materials I know."

"The material is lighter than stainless steel, it has a much more pleasant temperature when you wear it, and it is scratch resistant."

Grcic trained as a cabinet maker at The John Makepeace School in England before studying design at London's Royal College of Art. He set up his own industrial design practice in Munich in 1991, and has since become one of the world's most prominent contemporary designers.

His recent projects include a set of seats based on furniture in a 15th-century Italian artwork, and a utilitarian flat-pack office system for Vitra.

Photography by Markus Jans.