5 Jewellery and watch collections that double as works of art
Move over, Mona Lisa
There is always a certain weight of expectation when it comes to jewellery and watches. To be truly valued, they would have to come from the finest materials, long-established craftsmanship, and conventionally attractive designs. That is all just fine and dandy, but it does put a cap on creativity. Luckily, the exclusive club is growing more dynamic and open, allowing creatives from other disciplines to impart their brilliance to the industry. These standout collaborations are not only pushing the envelope but also redefining industry standards, setting new benchmarks for all.
AUDEMARS PIGUET x KAWS
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Some watchmakers do know how to have fun. Continuing its tradition of creative collaborations, Audemars Piguet has tapped Brian Donnelly, better known as Kaws, to breathe new life into its Royal Oak Concept line. The limited-edition, 43mm Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon, crafted in titanium, boasts Kaws’ iconic Companion character on the dial, wearing its heart on its sleeve, exposing the tourbillon underneath. The technical mastery synonymous with the brand comes in tow. The collection is anchored by the new hand-wound peripheral hour and minute movement, Calibre 2979, promising improved watch accuracy.
TIFFANY & CO. X Pharrell Williams
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It has been a busy year for Pharrell Williams. With multiple high-profile projects on his plate, from leading Louis Vuitton’s menswear department to producing bangers with Miley Cyrus and Coi Leray, he somehow managed to find time to venture into jewellery-making. The Tiffany Titan collection sees the multi-hyphenate get personal with his work. Here, he infuses his memories of growing up in Virginia Beach with the legend of Poseidon, King of Atlantis. The mythological Poseidon’s trident transforms into yellow gold or titanium treasures, in the shapes of necklaces, earrings, and more. Some are further elevated with diamonds, set in reverse to expose their pavilions, amplifying brilliance.
Piaget x Andy Warhol
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Piaget and Andy Warhol go way back. The illustrious artist’s affection for his Black Tie watch, now renamed the Andy Warhol watch, has been well documented. Celebrating their eternal bond, the brand has rolled out the Andy Warhol Clou de Paris timepiece. Powered by the in-house 501P1 Manufacture self-winding movement, the watch features several design feats including the hobnail patterns on the white gold case. Those who wish to play artists may opt for Piaget’s made-to-order service to personalise the watch. From the selection of ornamental stone dials to the leather straps, the new piece is all about expressing your individuality.
Loewe x Lynda Benglis
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Embodying the spirit of wearable art, Loewe tapped American visual artist Lynda Benglis for a jewellery line to accompany its ready-to-wear items. The 20-piece collection made its debut on the brand’s Spring/Summer 2024 runway in Paris and it wasted no time making headlines, flooding social media feeds in real-time. Motifs familiar to Benglis’ body of work reign supreme with the pieces taking knotted, pleated, poured, and extruded forms. Shaping raw materials—foil, mesh, clay, wire, and polyurethane—into intricate maquettes, she then reinterpreted them as rings, cuffs, brooches, earrings, and pendants, expressed via 18k gold, sterling silver, aluminium, enamels, and crystals.
Hublot x Daniel Arsham
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The past and the future come together in this particular collaboration. Reimagining the old-school pocket watch, contemporary artist Daniel Arsham brings modern trimmings into play. The openworked titanium case, signature Arsham Green rubber bumpers, and teardrop-shaped crystals set the tone. A vision of versatility, the Arsham Droplet effortlessly morphs into a pendant or a table clock. The watch, a perfect blend of form and function, is backed by Hublot’s storied savoir-faire, notably the Meca-10 manufacture movement, which boasts an impressive 10-day power reserve. The patented double “one-click” system that’s embedded into the titanium chains is another highlight.
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