Watch Commission
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Alto - ART 01 - Bernar Venet
I love art, and love watches, and am absolutely joyous when my two collections overlap.
I was in New York for the various art fairs last week, beside Frieze and TEFAF there’s at least four other fairs going on, though this afternoon I went to Chelsea to see Anselm Kiefer’s work at Fergus McCaffrey as well as Gagosian, plus a number of other artists. This watch feels so good and natural in that environment.
This is the Alto ART 01 Bernar Venet edition, one of 10 pieces made together with an artist I’ve admired for many years. Venet works with steel and bronze to make massive sculptures and installation works. This is the only time he has ever collaborated on a project, and it says a lot about Alto that he agreed to the project. Established artists of this importance are pursued by major brands all the time, but Venet trusted Thibaud Guittard and Raphaël Abeillon to see this vision through.
The case is made of a patinated and stabilized bronze, as is the dial. The leather strap is calfskin Nubuck.
Through the sapphire back you see the modern, sharp-looking micro-rotor movement created by renowned maker Le Cercle des Horlogers under the creative direction of Bernd Nussbaumer. Combining openworked and plain elements, a matte dark background, and thin, bright, geometric bridges gives it a modern, technical look.
Fun fact: Alto watches have their second hands move backward, which is good enough for me. I rarely set the watches hack-second accurate, my primary use is to see if the watch is running.
Minor side note, my lucky number is 15, but this is limited to 10 pieces… so Thibaud agreed to designate it number 15 of 10… though it was made clear to me that this is actually number 10 🤓. On the back, showing the remarkable movement produced by the Cercle des Horlogers, you can see the odd numbering.
You can read about my original Alto ART 01 on my website.
Alto - ART 01 - Bernar Venet
Huge congratulations!
