A neutral watch comparison
vs. Mr Jones Watches Ophelia
A clear look at two pond-inspired watches—their stories, time displays, craftsmanship and availability.
If you enjoy artistic watches—or simply want to discover more creative watches—the resemblance is easy to see. The stories and buying experience, however, are quite different.
Two watches, two stories
Mr Jones Watches
The story behind Ophelia
Ophelia was designed by artist Joshua Obeng-Boateng and inspired in part by John Everett Millais’ painting Ophelia. Flowers and lily pads sit above a layered pond, while two fish show the hour and minutes.
Mr Jones Watches says the artwork was printed in separate transparent layers and assembled one watch at a time. The official product page now lists it as discontinued and sold out.
CHOOSZ
Meet Aqua Animism
Designed by the CHOOSZ team in London, Aqua Animism looks down into a bright blue pond. A white lotus sits at the center, lily pads frame the dial and two koi move through the water.
The larger koi and marker show the hour; the smaller koi and marker show the minutes. Its mood is less literary and more meditative: still water with life moving through it.
See Aqua Animism details →Both watches make time part of the illustration. The difference lies in the story, the details and how each piece is made.
Made in small batches
Aqua Animism starts as an illustration before it becomes a working dial. Individual color layers are printed separately, then finished with multi-stage hand coloring to create depth. Custom-designed hands turn the koi into part of the timekeeping mechanism.
The result is both a practical watch and a small piece of wearable art. Its appeal lies in the way visual storytelling and functional design come together, rather than in traditional haute horlogerie finishing.
Hand-finished in batches of up to 4 per dayAqua Animism vs. Ophelia
| Feature | CHOOSZ Aqua Animism | Mr Jones Watches Ophelia |
|---|---|---|
| Designer | CHOOSZ team in London | Joshua Obeng-Boateng |
| Central imagery | White lotus, lily pads and two koi | Flowers, lily pads and two fish |
| Time display | The larger koi shows the hour; the smaller koi shows the minutes | The positions of the two fish show the hour and minutes |
| Dial treatment | Separate color layers, multi-stage hand coloring and custom hands | Separate layers with different transparency levels |
| Case size | 34 mm | Not stated on the archived page reviewed |
| Movement | Japanese quartz | Not stated on the archived page reviewed |
| Water resistance | 3 ATM / 30 m | Not stated on the archived page reviewed |
| Current listed price | US$128 | No current retail price |
| Availability | Available in small batches | Discontinued and sold out |
Product details and availability can change. Check the latest information with the seller, especially if you are considering a pre-owned Ophelia.
Check current Aqua Animism price and availability →
Which one suits you?
Consider an original Ophelia if…
- You collect Mr Jones Watches designs.
- The artist or Millais reference is central to the appeal.
- You are comfortable buying a discontinued watch secondhand.
Consider Aqua Animism if…
- You want a new, pond-inspired art watch.
- You prefer a compact 34 mm case.
- You like visible markers and hand-colored details.
- You are shopping around the US$128 price point.
How to read Aqua Animism
-
Find the larger koi.
Its larger white marker indicates the hour. -
Find the smaller koi.
Its smaller marker indicates the minutes.
View the moving koi dial on the product page →
Frequently asked questions
Is Aqua Animism the Mr Jones Watches Ophelia?
No. Aqua Animism is a separate CHOOSZ design created by the CHOOSZ team in London. The two brands are not affiliated.
Is the Mr Jones Watches Ophelia discontinued?
Yes. The official Mr Jones Watches product pages reviewed for this comparison list Ophelia as discontinued and sold out.
How does Aqua Animism show the time?
The larger koi and marker indicate the hour. The smaller koi and marker indicate the minutes.
Is every Aqua Animism dial identical?
The layout stays consistent, but multi-stage hand coloring may create subtle variation between individual pieces.
How many are made each day?
Aqua Animism is hand-finished in batches of up to four per day because of the detailed manual work involved.
A pond in motion
Explore Aqua Animism
A compact 34 mm koi-and-lotus watch, hand-colored and produced in small daily batches.
View the watch →