Based in Saignelégier, in the heart of the Swiss Jura, Maurice Lacroix's unique watch is auctioned in support of Swiss Institute and TimeForArt, the first-ever benefit auction to support contemporary art and artists.
Based on the watch brand’s popular AIKON model, this one-off creation unites watchmaking with a daring exemplar of avant-garde design. Launched in 2016, the AIKON has become a byword for urban style. The inaugural model was quartz, but the collection soon grew to encompass numerous mechanical watches incorporating a variety of complications. In this instance, the brand from the Swiss Jura has created a unique piece, employing a skeleton movement as an artistic canvas, enriched with a myriad of hues. Luminescent hour and minute hands, along with a slim central sweep seconds hand, float above a sapphire dial and collaborate with indexes, once again luminescent, to indicate the prevailing time.
Maurice Lacroix has worked closely with movement specialist Sellita to conceive the exclusive Automatic ML115 (base SW200) featured within this watch. For the first time, the watch brand has also suffused the movement plate and bridges with a special rainbow treatment, imbuing the model with a very distinctive appearance. Courtesy of its openworked design, the wearer is able to see a plethora of moving components ordinarily hidden from view. The movement plays with transparency, allowing light to pass through its various openings, thereby illuminating a myriad of parts. The oscillating weight is customised, incorporating sandblasted and sunbrushed decoration. Furthermore, the movement is adorned with colimaçon.
Maurice Lacroix's unique version of its AIKON Automatic Skeleton was sold at the prestigious auction, Phillips ‘New York Watch Auction: SEVEN’. Held on Saturday 10th December, the auction attracted much interest, with the watch ultimately selling for $7,000. The funds raised will be donated to Swiss Institute.
Stephane Waser, Managing Director of Maurice Lacroix remarked, “I am proud that we have brought this unique artistic expression of the AIKON to the fabulous city of New York, a place where our urban watches look very much at home! We are thrilled to see this unique piece sell for $7,000 in support of Swiss Institute. I hope its new owner will derive much pleasure from wearing their new watch, a model that unites artistic expression with Swiss watchmaking know-how.”
Based on the watch brand’s popular AIKON model, this one-off avant-garde creation features a skeleton movement, enriched with a myriad of hues. Luminescent hour and minute hands, along with a slim central sweep seconds hand, float above a sapphire dial.
The Swiss brand has dressed the movement plate and bridges with a special rainbow treatment, imbuing the model with a very distinctive appearance. Courtesy of its openworked design, the wearer is able to see numerous moving components usually hidden from view. Housed in a 39mm stainless steel case, the automatic movement is also endowed with a rainbow-themed oscillating weight, visible courtesy of a sapphire caseback.
The Maurice Lacroix TimeForArt not only imparts time, but also serves as a breathtaking example of contemporary art, something that will no doubt resonate with Swiss Institute and its many supporters.
TimeforArt
New York non-profit Swiss Institute introduces TimeForArt, the first-ever benefit watch auction to support contemporary art. The inaugural edition of TimeForArt gathers exceptional timepieces from the world’s foremost watchmakers, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to supporting today’s most visionary artists through Swiss Institute’s innovative exhibitions, public programs, education & community engagement workshops in New York City and beyond.
The timepieces curated for TimeForArt express the most artistic elements of contemporary watchmaking, shining a light on the creative core of today’s horology. With the theme of artists for artists, all featured watches are either unique collaborations with world-renowned artisans, interventions by leading contemporary artists, bespoke examples of innovative craftsmanship or coveted limited-edition timepieces.
The rainbow-theme also extends to the oscillating weight, a feature that obviates the need for manual winding. It can be viewed in all its glory, courtesy of a sapphire caseback. Housed in a modestly sized 39mm stainless steel case, the timepiece is presented on a matching bracelet and supplied with an additional black rubber strap. The Maison’s ingenious Easy Strap Exchange System provides a simple means of swapping between the bracelet and strap without the need for tools. The Maurice Lacroix TimeForArt not only imparts time, but also serves as a breathtaking example of contemporary art, something that will no doubt resonate with Swiss Institute and its many supporters.
TimeforArt benefit auction and roadshow details
The Maurice Lacroix TimeForArt will be auctioned at the Phillips ‘New York Watch Auction: SEVEN’ which will take place on Saturday and Sunday, December 10 and 11. Prior to the event, each expression of horological art will be exhibited in various cities around the globe as part of the forthcoming Philips roadshow.
Singapore: 13-15 October
London: 20-23 October
Geneva: 2-6 November
Hong Kong: 24-29 November
New York: 3-9 December
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