Story Highlight
– Swiss Institute auctions 26 unique watches for fundraising.
– Previous auctions raised $2.4 million for artists’ support.
– Watchmakers collaborate with artists to create unique pieces.
– Event encourages blend of watchmaking and contemporary art.
– Auction to waive all fees and sell without reserve.
Full Story
A prestigious auction featuring 26 exclusive timepieces is set to take place on December 5th at the Phillips New York Watch Auction: XV, with proceeds aimed at supporting contemporary artists through the Swiss Institute. This event, the latest in the TimeForArt series now approaching its third year, is expected to generate millions for the New York-based institution.
Previous editions of the initiative successfully raised $2.4 million, funding exhibitions, public programs, educational efforts, and community outreach initiatives both in New York and beyond. Stefanie Hessler, the director of Swiss Institute, expressed gratitude for the watchmakers’ support: “With each edition, we are inspired anew by the extraordinary creativity and generosity of the participating watchmakers, whose embrace of experimentation directly supports Swiss Institute’s commitment to artists and the broader cultural community.”
Mojdeh Cutter, the director of partnerships and TimeForArt at Swiss Institute, highlighted the project’s role in fostering a dynamic dialogue between contemporary art and watchmaking. “It has been incredibly rewarding to see participating watch brands approach the initiative with such curiosity, bringing their distinctive perspectives and creative languages to the project, while collectors from the art world deepen their engagement with watches. Each timepiece offers an opportunity to push boundaries and discover new forms of expression at the intersection of art, design, and watchmaking,” he noted.
The auction will feature no-reserve bids, with Phillips forgoing all fees. Among the unique creations set to be showcased are:
– **ART01 “Bulls Eye”**, a unique version of the ALTO watch, made from brushed Grade 5 titanium and featuring sculpted stone marquetry on its dial.
– **Anoma A2**, inspired by the endless Möbius strip, showcasing organic forms and geometrical designs seen in nature and architecture.
– **Atelier Wen Ancestra 百石 (Bǎishí)**, which features a disco ball motif, symbolizing celebration after a challenging year.
– **Baltic Stepgraph Tantalum Prototype “Art of the Earth”**, exploring new materials such as tantalum combined with dark blue mother-of-pearl.
– **Chanel Monsieur**, displaying a striking dial crafted from malachite and powered by an in-house tourbillon movement.
Other remarkable pieces include the intricately engraved **Chopard Alpine Eagle**, the sculptural **Gerald Charles x Igor Mitoraj Maestro**, designed to reflect themes of time and human fragility, and the **MING x Jason Anderson 37.JA Prototype Set**, which combines artistic influences with watchmaking technology.
This collaboration marries the worlds of fine art and horology, making TimeForArt a significant event for collectors, artists, and enthusiasts alike.
