Auctions: 25 Pièce Unique Watches Will Be Sold This Weekend At The TimeForArt Auction
Winter auction season is well underway here in New York City. Strong results in Hong Kong and Geneva have kept watch-world spirits high, suggesting that momentum will carry over to continue the festive high. Our resident vintage expert, Rich Fordon, will provide you with all the wider coverage you should need in this Friday’s Bring A Loupe.
Biver x Guillaume Ehinger. Image: courtesy of Philipps.
In addition to the usual auction house happenings, this weekend sees the second chapter of TimeForArt, an auction initiative created by the New York non-profit Swiss Institute. Established as an aid to support contemporary art, the auction will be held as part of the Phillips New York Watch Auction: IX this coming weekend, December 7 and 8. The Swiss Institute has called on 25 watch brands to participate in the benefit.
In its inaugural edition in 2022, TimeForArt raised an impressive $1.2 million, with 100% of the proceeds, including Phillips’ Buyer’s Premium, directly supporting the Swiss Institute’s exhibitions, public programs, artist residencies, and educational workshops. This year’s expanded lineup of 25 pieces includes both renowned luxury brands and independent watchmakers. All are presenting one-of-a-kind pieces made especially for the auction, which highlight the creative synergy between watchmaking and contemporary art.
Left: Ressence TYPE 1²v2 made in collaboration with Shantell Martin. Right: Alpine Eagle 41 XP with straw marquetry dial. Images courtesy of Phillips.
“This initiative sees watches conceptualized to be art from the beginning, not just a functioning watch but a piece of art in itself. Although art collectors and watch enthusiasts may seem to occupy different worlds, both appreciate many similar characteristics,” explains Mojdeh Cutter, TimeForArt’s Managing Director. “Both art and watchmaking value aesthetic design, requires extraordinary skill and can be highly collectible. If one has the sensibility to enjoy art, one should be able to enjoy watches as well, and vice versa.”
Carl F Bucherer x Hodinkee Heritage Worldtimer.
Highlights from the upcoming second collection include a unique collaboration between Biver and Swiss contemporary artist Guillaume Ehinger, which features a hand-engraved enamel dial, a Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 XP with a unique straw marquetry dial, as well as a piece we’re rather fond of – the Carl F Bucherer x Hodinkee Heritage Worldtimer.
All of the lots offer something individual to the auction, with my favorites including a Chanel Pop-Art-inspired Boy Friend made using Grand Feu enamel and a Type 1 Ressence (never thought I’d see the day) made in collaboration with contemporary artist Shantell Martin. Both a little kooky – okay, maybe a lot – in their own respective ways.
Left: Chanel Pop Art Inspired BOY.FRIEND. Right: Anoma A1 . Images courtesy of Phillips.
For more information on the participating brands and the unique timepieces up for auction, click here.
Hodinkee
