Let’s face it: a passion as diverse as watch collecting probably isn’t (and never should be) confined to discussions about $300,00+ tourbillons and ‘certified pre-owned’ Rolexes that still cost 5.5 times what they originally retailed for. That’s largely why exasperated younger enthusiasts are now turning to operations like Baltic or Unimatic; but if you’re still hankering for just a dash of name recognition, then might we suggest a quick gander at the Swatch Australia website?
Of late, almost always brought up in yet another [exhausting] conversation about “how hard it is to get a Moonswatch”, the affordable watch brand actually has a lot to offer enthusiasts besides its recent tie-in with OMEGA. Exhibit A: the ‘artist special’ limited editions that have been a Swatch specialty since the mid-1980s.
Launched less than 24 hours ago, the new Swatch x BASQUIAT pieces are the latest in this lineage: consisting of three quartz-powered 41mm wristwatches that reproduce the work of American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat on each dial.
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The 5th such ‘Art Journey’ partnership that Swatch has embarked on this year, these watches are a tribute to the “boundary breaking” and “unconventional perspective” of Basquiat’s work within SAMO, and later, as a critically acclaimed painter. Use of these artworks, shrunken down to the canvas of a wristwatch, has been authorised by Basquiat’s estate.
Of the three, the most recognisable is likely to be the ‘Untitled’, which reproduces the crown graffiti tag primarily associated with Basquiat’s SAMO period. Another, cased in yellow plastic, portrays the famous self-portrait entitled Hollywood Africans (1983): famously, Basquiat’s critique of institutional racism in the American entertainment industry.
The final model, the ‘Ishtar’, uses the blank space traditionally provided by a watch strap to display the artwork of the same name – complemented by a simple black dial with text, Romans and Arabic numerals all in the frenzied Basquiat style.
All three are purchasable together as a ‘triptych’ (in-stores only) for $555.
