Art comes in various shapes, sizes, and forms – from finely-crafted clothing to painstakingly-made drawings. What is truly impressive is that anything can be a canvas – even watches – given the right skills, vision and dedication.
Don’t believe us? Then check out these stunning timepieces that will bring out the art lover in you.
Ressence’s TYPE 8 INDIGO
Out of all the traditional arts to emerge from Japan, one of the most underrated is the timeless art of indigo dyeing. It is a painstaking process that ultimately results in the deepest indigo that can last for lifetimes. It is this time-honoured practice that inspired the Belgium watch manufacturer Ressence to create the TYPE 8 INDIGO.
Taking the theme seriously, the TYPE 8 INDIGO chose to incorporate indigo into the watch’s design in an intriguing and handcrafted way. Ressence worked with experts at BUAISOU to apply a hand-dyed silk thread onto the dial in order to highlight the delicate beauty of natural indigo.
The result is a dial that exudes a distinct charm that is both structured yet organic, evoking elaborate embroidery. Thanks to the natural dyeing process, there is not a single uniform thread colour, creating a gradient-like effect that is unique to each individual piece.
This unique version comes with the standard TYPE 8 specifications and is housed in grade 5 titanium with a case diameter of 42.9mm. The watch is powered by a patented Ressence Orbital Convex System 8 module with a specially-designed automatic base calibre and has a 36-hour power reserve. A warm grey Saffiano calf leather strap completes the design, balancing the cool and mesmerising hue of the dial.
With only eight units available, the Ressence TYPE 8 INDIGO is in a league all on its own. This exquisite timepiece is available to view at Shellman’s Isetan Shinjuku Watch Shop in Tokyo. Find out more on the brand’s official website.
AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Inkdial Chronograph Limited Edition
Blueprints are oftentimes the foundation of a great work of art. From buildings to even paintings, each creation needs a solid bedrock in order to take shape. It is this very idea that AVI-8 captures with the brand new Hawker Hurricane Inkdial Chronograph.
This exotic timepiece was made possible through a special collaboration with watch artist Ben Li, also known as Inkdial. Through Ben Li’s masterful design, the two parties have created a striking blueprint-like design, complete with gridlines and artistic markings, bringing technical drawings onto an actual timepiece.
Through masterful linework, the watch creates an illusion between 2D and 3D elements, giving it a cartoon-like vibe that plays with the viewer’s perception. Furthermore, each line, marker, digit, hand, and even the nylon strap is coated in lume, allowing the piece to remain bright and playful even in low-light conditions. Protecting the sensitive internals is a 43mm stainless steel build that is designed to withstand even the toughest of impacts.
This unique collector’s item takes art and horology to a whole new level. Limited to only 400 pieces globally, the Hawker Hurricane Inkdial Chronograph Limited Edition is priced at US$295 (~RM1,317) and can be purchased now via AVI-8’s official website.
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