10 Watch Collaborations Everyone is Obsessed With This Year

Some say that creativity is a solitary endeavour. To come up with something truly original, one must not let one’s vision be swayed by the opinion of others. But others beg to differ. The world of watchmaking, whose inner workings are often shrouded in mystery, has gradually become more accessible in recent years. Engaging with leading figures across industry lines has resulted in masterpieces that are not only a feat of craftsmanship but a celebration of identity. From high-concept designs to nostalgia-driven drops, these watch collaborations prove that great minds do think alike.

HUBLOT X DANIEL ARSHAM

Hot on the heels of their head-turning MP-16 Arsham Droplet pocket watch, Hublot and its ambassador Daniel Arsham have reunited for another boundary-breaking creation. The Hublot MP-17 MECA-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire sees the American artist diving further into  the dynamic essence of water with a design anchored by organic curves. Here, the splash-shaped opening on the dial commands your attention while the watchmaker’s new, smaller Meca-10 manual-wind movement beats quietly underneath the compact 42mm case.

ZENITH X USM MODULAR FURNITURE

Many designs now considered iconic originated in the sixties. Zenith’s groundbreaking El Primero chronograph and USM Modular Furniture’s USM Haller modular system are two such examples. Imagining an alternate collaboration, these Swiss innovators drew inspiration from those inventions to craft their capsule collection. The Defy Chronograph USM, for example, features a dial available in four USM signature colours and the renowned El Primero 400 calibre. Additionally, the collection includes a custom-designed USM Haller timepiece chest.

CASIO X NIGO

G-Shock has been making headlines as of late for its creative endeavours. The latest one is no different. With a goal of illustrating the enduring spirit of the watch brand, Casio has tapped Nigo for an exclusive partnership. What comes out of it are four original characters: Duno, inspired by the GA-2100; Goro, the DW-5000; Rock, the DW-6900; and Wang-Teng, the GA-110. Adding a touch of whimsy to the shock-resistant brand, the Kenzo artistic director fuses the shapes of G-Shock’s signature models with his unique colouring and design elements.

BREITLING X ERLING HAALAND

If there’s ever a doubt that the worlds of watches and sport are inherently intertwined, the Erling Haaland Signature Chronomat is here to shut it down. Born from the union of Breitling and footballer Erling Haaland, the collection features the limited-edition Chronomat Automatic GMT 40 in stainless steel and platinum, as well as the Chronomat B01 42 in 18K red gold. Both models come with unique meteorite dials. Completing the collection is the ultra-exclusive ‘One of 5’ edition created only for Haaland and his circle.

FRANCK MULLER X #FR2

Franck Muller and #FR2 head to the beach for their much-anticipated sophomore collaboration! Hot on the heels of their 2023 #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard, the duo returns with renewed energy, embracing the spirit of summer with a fresh interpretation of the Vanguard Beach watch. The #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard Beach Limited Edition brings a touch of that devil-may-care attitude to luxury watchmaking with #FR2’s iconic Fxxking Rabbits motif adorning its dial, doing the deed under a beach umbrella, on a surfboard, and among teeming greenery.

LOUIS VUITTON X KARI VOUTILAINEN

Louis Vuitton continues to engage independent watchmakers for its latest masterpiece. Co-created with Kari Voutilainen, the LVKV-02 GMR 6 celebrates the watchmaking journey of both brands, which serendipitously began in 2002. Louis Vuitton’s Escale model serves as the starting point and is then reimagined through Voutilainen’s creative lens. Framed by a pure tantalum case, the gold dial steals the spotlight with the kaleidoscopic miniature painting lining the hour circle, the sun and moon imagery, as well as the guilloché centre.

RADO X TEJ CHAUHAN

Following the success of the True Square special edition in 2020, Rado once again collaborates with Tej Chauhan for an exclusive project. The sophomore partnership sees the British industrial designer reimagining one of the watchmaker’s celebrated designs, the DiaStar Original. Framed by a Ceramos bezel coated in yellow-gold coloured PVD, the DiaStar Original x Tej Chauhan watch boasts a black dial that comes alive with luminous hour and minute hands, a neon yellow seconds hand, and a day-date window featuring Chauhan’s proprietary font.

RICHARD MILLE X LEBRON JAMES

Richard Mille knows a winning formula when it sees one. It’s all evident in the company it keeps—from cyclist Alain Prost to Formula 1 driver Charles LeClerc. The collaboration with LeBron James keeps the streak going. A vibrant addition to the brand’s catalogue, the RM65-01 Selfwinding Split-seconds Chronograph ‘LeBron James’ sees the basketball player inserting himself into the classic model. The most obvious shout-out here is the use of the Los Angeles Lakers’ yellow and purple on the bracelet, crown, outer minute track, and subdials.

ROGER DUBUIS X DR. WOO

Who doesn’t love a good trilogy? Roger Dubuis certainly does. Reuniting with tattoo artist Dr. Woo for the third time, the Swiss watchmaker brings the art of watchmaking to the forefront with the Excalibur Monotourbillon Dr. Woo Episode III. Delving into the symbiotic relationship between space and time, the pair embarks on a galactic peace mission, powered by calibre RD515. Dr. Woo’s single-needle tattoo style illustrates the vision to perfection, especially with the rocket motif with the message ‘We Come in Peace’ trailing across the sapphire crystal.

ZENITH X REVOLUTION

Another partnership returning for round three this year is the one between Zenith and Revolution Magazine. Riding on the success of the steel model in 2020 and the titanium version in 2022, the two brands have now introduced the lightweight carbon composite case to their Chronomaster Revival A3818 collaboration series. Paying homage to its predecessor, the Zenith Chronomaster Revival A3818 Cover Girl Carbon brings back the A3818’s signature ‘shark tooth’ second track on a dial crafted in the same material as well as the El Primero 400 calibre.