The Big Time Watch and Artists’ Collaborations

Photo: TAG Heuer

During the twelfth century, designers and artists began working together as the highly ornamental mechanical watches were viewed as a sign of one’s rank and an appreciation for excellent objets d’art. So if you assume that the timepiece and art sectors have very little in common, then you’d be wrong. 

With an inherent respect for the technical skill of the inventor, both companies depend on the visual attractiveness of the products they are showcasing. Therefore, it should be no surprise that the watch sector is seeing an increase in artist or musician collaborations. Besides, the outcomes give a watch far more brilliance and produce something unique from the norm. 

Overall, here are some of the stunning artists and watch collaborations of all time:

TAG Heuer X Alec Monopoly:

World-renowned graffiti artist Alec Monopoly is most famous for his trademark label, which features the world’s best Mr. Monopoly of the original Monopoly game. He has been collaborating with TAG Heuer as an “Art Provocateur” since 2016. This was a constituent of a plan to enhance the Swiss manufacturer’s general aesthetic endeavors.

Photo: Ablogtowatch

Together, TAG Heuer and Monopoly created the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Alec Monopoly Special Edition, a unique watch. The revolutionary attitude of the legendary Formula One 41 millimeters is reflected in this watch partnership, which also bears the rebellious American artist’s distinctive mark.

Photo: Ablogtowatch

Undeniably, the watch’s main attraction is its dial, where Mr. Monopoly personally is seen wearing a top hat with a bandana around his face. Moreover, the watch’s dial’s back has been engraved with the “ALEC” drawings label that has become synonymous with Monopoly. Only 200 copies of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Alec Monopoly Special Edition were made.

Bulgari X Wang Yan Cheng:

You may be familiar with the Chinese-French painter Wang Yan Cheng if you appreciate old-style Chinese artworks. He is a talented artist known for his amazing and magnificent creations. Wang is now regarded as a prominent artist in China’s modern art scene.

Photo: Watchonista

By taking the customization of art and the art of customizing to a new level, legendary Italian luxury watchmaker Bvlgari revealed its ambition to unite culture and time with the modern in 2022. In order to do this, Bvlgari and Wang established a trustworthy partnership.

Later, the company unveiled the 44-millimeter Octo Roma Naturalia & Wang Yan Cheng in collaboration with the artist. It came in a sophisticated black onyx center casing and was made of sleek, black titanium that had been sandblasted.

Photo: TimeAndTide

One could also see the watch’s sturdy floating tourbillon movement, which gave it exceptional stability and precision via its skeleton dial. Moreover, the words “Pièce Unique” were inscribed on every Octo Roma Naturalia x Wang Yan Cheng collection product. 

TAG Heuer X Bamford:

It makes sense that legendary works are often better left intact, similar to how they achieved prominence in the first place. Well, Bamford gained notoriety for his Bamford Watch Department, where he altered renowned iconic clocks to suit their customers’ tastes.

Photo: Watchuseek

Bamford’s achievement was noticed by TAG Heuer, who hired him for a formal watch partnership. He then took the Carrera, Monaco, and Autavia, 3 of TAG Heuer’s best-recognizable watches, and gave them a stylishly updated edge. He achieved this by adding ultra-lightweight carbon fiber casings, clean black dials, and bright blue accents.

Hublot X Richard Orlinski:

Hublot is a company that frequently works with creatives from diverse backgrounds. The collaboration with Richard Orlinski could be among the greatest so far. He is renowned for his vibrant Pop-art aesthetic and sculptural, including the faceted, incredibly geometrical Wild Kong Gorilla.

Photo: Hublot

He introduced geometric and faceting concepts in the beveled dials and casings of the Classic Fusion Orlinski timepieces from Hublot. They are created from high-tech ceramic in vibrant colors resembling his artworks, notably red and blue, as well as Hublot’s exclusive King Gold featuring diamonds and other embellishments. Furthermore, Hublot introduced the Classic Fusion Orlinski Bracelet Titanium and Classic Fusion Orlinski Bracelet Alternative Pavé in 2022.

Rado X Le Corbusier:

Rado is the fortunate victor of numerous Red Dot prizes for its exceptional creations. In most cases, the company looks to graphic artists and creators for reference. The True Thinline Les CouleuresTM Le Corbusier special edition timepieces are among its more popular collections. 

Photo: Rado

The company used the colors that the artist and designer, Le Corbusier, believed to be the core of his creative polychromy color concept to make them. The series also featured nine different color casings made of high-tech ceramic, all with complementing dials and straps. Furthermore, every shade was only produced in 999 copies total. 

Movado X Alexi Lubomirski:

Years ago, Movado commissioned artist Alexi Lubomirski to replicate the timepiece dials for their latest Movado Art Series timepiece. It’s now been over ten years since Movado has worked on an artistic project. 

Photo: Movado

The professional photographer of the 2017 royal wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as well as the 2020 Golden Gloves, Lubomirski, translates water, lighting, illumination, and everyday life within New York City on the timepiece faces. The Alexi X Movado Artists Series is basically a “lens-based depiction of time.” Besides, the company employs a vegan strap for the inaugural time with this collection. This is probably because Lubomirski is a passionate advocate for animal welfare and veganism.

Zenith X Felipe Pantone:

Zenith collaborated with Felipe Pantone for the Defy 21 Felipe Pantone for the company’s first artistic partnership with a modern artist. The eye-catching timepiece illustrates the Argentinian-Spanish designer’s perspective on hue as a crucial design element or the “visual spectrum notion.” 

Photo: Zenith

The company’s 1/100th of a second El Primero 21 high-frequency Chrono movement is housed in the Defy 21 Felipe Pantone timepiece. Moreover, the technology of 3D PVD and silicon atoms used to create the watch results in colorful bridges with metal rainbow tints.

Photo: Zenith Watches

The same method is used to make the center hour and minute markers, which mimic bolts of lightning. Laser etching and lacquering are also used to add other hue highlights. 

Swatch X Keith Haring:

Keith Haring has a well-established reputation in the watch industry, having collaborated with companies like Movado and, most recently, Swatch. Hence, the Disney Mickey Mouse & Keith Haring series will be the focus of the second cooperation with Swatch, which was initially done in 1986.

Photo: Swatch

The wristwatch faces include pieces that riff on Mickey Mouse’s preferred colors, such as red and white, and are prompted by Haring’s adoration of the cartoon character. For example, the Mouse Marinere wristwatch has complexity and movement since the red and white patterned theme appears on the dial. Likewise, the image is engraved on the crystal. 

Audemars Piguet X DJ Surkin / GENER8ION:

A timepiece that Audemars Piguet & DJ Surkin jointly designed is referred to as “a triumph of sound.” The French singer worked 3 consecutive days at the Audemars Piguet offices as part of this project. The outcome was the Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie & GENER8ION, an updated edition of the classic Royal Oak timepiece.

Photo: Luxewatches

There are four different bells on the Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie and GENER8ION, which strike at various intervals. The first one signals the beginning of the day near the Audemars Piguet corporate HQ in Le Brassus at 6:03. At 10:45 AM, a chime that was inspired by the pattern of Audemars Piguet’s factory activities immediately follows. Weather noises from the valleys were used to create the 4:15 PM bell. The ending of the day is approaching in the closing song, played at 10:17 PM, and combines artificial music with ambient sounds.

Photo: Watchshopping

A titanium bezel, glare-proof sapphire crystal, black ceramic screw-locked crown, and titanium pusher components are all included in this Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie x GENER8ION watch. Furthermore, the skeleton dial, which reveals the device’s movement’s exquisite and complex artistry, may be its most cool feature. 

Corum Bubble Watch ‘Mona Lisa’ X Elisabetta Fantone:

Corum, a Swiss premium watch company, announced its new creative watch partnership with Fantone in 2016. The Corum Bubble Watch “Mona Lisa” is the outcome of the brand, giving her complete creative opportunity to develop its upcoming iconic bubble piece.

Photo: Luxewatches

The Corum Bubble Watch “Mona Lisa” offers a fresh, contemporary interpretation of a time-honored Haute Horlogerie style. It has two sizes, 42 and 44 millimeters, with only 88 pieces available for the 44-millimeter variant. 

Notably, this watch’s exquisite dial is its best feature. It depicts the iconic Mona Lisa, which Leonardo Da Vinci initially painted in a stunning, vivid manner.

Parmigiani Fleurier X Marcello Lo Giudice:

The Limited Edition Tonda 1950 was created by this creative collaboration. Only a total of 12 of these rare, limited-edition watches are available. On the dial of all Limited Edition Tonda 1950 watches is a scaled-down rendition of the Eden Universe, Eden Ocean sculpture, commemorating Lo Giudice’s finest achievement. This was accomplished by the business employing a special layering technique that enabled it to perfectly craft every dial. 

Photo: Ablogtowatch

Furthermore, it made it simpler to inscribe and define the pattern of the unfinished dial plate. This enhanced the Limited Edition Tonda 1950s dial’s refined, well-made appearance by giving it greater volume and depth.

Photo: Ablogtowatch

Bottom Line

More than you might imagine, the watchmaking and artistic industries share many similarities. Besides, watch partnerships involving watchmakers, graffiti artists, singers, and everyone else have produced some incredibly famous creations. They are thus the best pieces if you’d like to add a dash of color to your wrist or you simply want to expand your portfolio of the finest luxury watches.