When artists, fashion and videogames are in watches

A theme by Ana Franco.

Some watchmakers like to offer their watches to contemporary artists as if they were blank canvases for them to express their creativity. Whether they are creators of fashion, sculptures or video games. These are the latest examples that have made us salivate the most:

Aikon Automatic Wotto Limited Edition by Maurice Lacroix

There is not a single hole in this watch, limited to 1,000 pieces, that does not feature the urban art of British artist Craig Watkins, better known as Wotto. His trademark mushrooms, hearts, skateboarding ghosts and lightning bolts are engraved on the 42 mm steel case, bezel and bracelet. And on the dial, like a tattoo, it also develops its own graphic universe. The watch is equipped with an automatic calibre, which provides a power reserve of 38 hours and is water-resistant to 200 metres.
RRP.: 3.400 €.

Seiko 5 Sports Mooneyes Limited Edition by Seiko

Mooneyes is a supplier of parts for modified vehicles that was born in California in the 1950s, and with which the watch manufacturer Seiko has just teamed up to launch this automatic steel model displaying the day and date and the famous logo of the American brand. Measuring 42.5 mm in diameter, it is also painted in its yellow and black colours, in a limited edition of 1,500 units that has driven racing car enthusiasts crazy.
RRP.: 480 €.

American Classic Boulton Death Stranding 2 Limited Edition by Hamilton

To create this futuristic time-measuring instrument, the watchmaker Hamilton has joined forces with the Japanese production company Kojima, creator of the Metal Gear video game. In this case, for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, which is also a game that works like a film, like all of Kojima’s games. It will be released on 25 June, presumably in an edition of 2,000 numbered pieces. Of course, the automatic watch (made of titanium with black PVD coating, seven sapphire crystals and measuring 36 mm x 48 mm and 13.7 mm thick) will be worn on the wrist by one of the characters in the obscure video game.
RRP.: 1.625 €.

MM6 Maison Margiela x Timex

Timex’s affordable watchmaking and Maison Margiela‘s haute couture (through its MM6 line) came together last October in this steel watch, a vintage version of the digital Timex T80, which has a ring attached to it in the image of the watch. On its dial, it displays the letters MM6 with the number 6 highlighted, which is normally seen on the clothing brand’s T-shirts. It has the usual chronograph, alarm and timer functions, as well as a backlight for night vision.
RRP.: 200 €.

Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon by Audemars Piguet

Only 250 privileged individuals can wear this titanium watch, which belongs to Audemars Piguet’s most experimental line, Royal Oak Concept. The house from Le Brassus (Switzerland) has designed it together with the New York pop artist Brian Donnelly, better known as Kaws, placing his best-known character, Companion, at the centre. Measuring 43 mm in diameter, the time is indicated on its periphery. It houses a hand-wound movement equipped with a tourbillon.
RRP.: not available