TimeForArt is a charitable watch auction hosted by the Swiss Institute, dedicated entirely to supporting contemporary art. First held in 2022, it returns for its second edition on December 7, 2024, at Phillips in New York, as part of the New York Watch Auction: XI. The 2022 debut raised $1.2 million, underscoring the potential for horology to drive social impact by funding cultural initiatives and fostering a thriving contemporary art scene. This unique event merges the worlds of fine watchmaking and art, with 100% of the proceeds funding artist residencies, exhibitions, and educational initiatives at the Swiss Institute. The auction features bespoke, one-of-a-kind timepieces from both established luxury brands and independent watchmakers. Contributors include Chopard, which showcases a marquetry-decorated Alpine Eagle, and Czapek with their “Artists & Artisans Pièce No.1” featuring intricate engravings, a skeletonized piece by Maurice Lacroix in partnership with Mexican artist Rodrigo Hernández, a collaboration from Massena LAB and a fantastic piece from HYT. Read about other pieces in the first article of the series: TimeForArt 2024 – Part 1: Speake Marin, Ressence, Perrelet, Ferdinand Berthoud, Armin Strom.
One-of-a-kind Alpine Eagle meets Artistic Crafts in honour of TimeForArt: Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 XP in Lucent Steel™
The Alpine Eagle 41 XP Time For Art is a remarkable timepiece that exemplifies Chopard’s commitment to combining aesthetic innovation with technical virtuosity. The watch is a one-of-a-kind model crafted from Lucent Steel™, Chopard‘s exclusive alloy known for its anti-allergenic properties, robustness, and impressive brilliance. This material is 80% recycled, aligning with the brand’s dedication to sustainability and ethical luxury.
The Alpine Eagle 41 XP features a 41-millimeter diameter and a slim profile with a thickness of just eight millimeters, offering both elegance and wearability. The watch’s standout feature is its dial, adorned with an elaborate straw marquetry pattern, a first for Chopard. This technique, dating back to the 17th century, involves meticulously splitting and flattening rye straw from Burgundy, France. The straws are carefully glued to form intricate patterns, reminiscent of an eagle’s view over New York’s skyscrapers, reflecting a blend of natural inspiration and urban sophistication. Completing the dial are rhodium-plated hour markers and white gold hands treated with Super-LumiNova® for enhanced visibility.
Inside the slim case lies the L.U.C 96.17-L movement, a self-winding mechanical masterpiece measuring just 3.30 mm in thickness. The movement contains 172 components and is powered by a 22-carat gold micro-rotor, which, alongside Chopard Twin technology’s two stacked barrels, provides a robust 65-hour power reserve, ensuring the watch remains precise over a long weekend without needing a manual wind.
The watch features a glare-proof sapphire crystal on both the front and exhibition case-back, allowing a clear view of the movement’s details, including bridges adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif. The Alpine Eagle‘s signature design elements—such as the compass rose-engraved crown, a bezel with eight indexed screws, and a tapered Lucent Steel™ bracelet—contribute to its sophisticated yet rugged allure.
The Alpine Eagle 41 XP Time For Art is not just a masterpiece of horology but also part of a significant philanthropic effort. The TimeForArt initiative aligns with Chopard‘s mission to support contemporary art. The event is a biennial auction dedicated to raising funds for visionary artists through collaborations with institutions like the Swiss Institute. 100% of the proceeds from the auction go towards supporting exhibitions, apprenticeship programs, and workshops. This reflects Chopard’s commitment to nurturing the arts, creating a platform that bridges watchmaking expertise with the visual arts. By participating in this initiative, Chopard highlights its artisans’ talent while supporting the vitality and sustainability of the art world.
Czapek Presents the Antarctique ‘Artists & Artisans – Pièce N°1’
Czapek & Cie is proud to announce the creation of an extraordinary and exclusive Antarctique timepiece, titled ‘Artists & Artisans – Pièce N°1’, for the prestigious TimeForArt auction. This unique watch showcases the artistry of master engraver Michèle Rothen, in collaboration with Czapek’s long-term partner, Metalem.
At the heart of this exceptional creation lies the dial, made from a rare gold alloy, Alloy 401, which Czapek has branded as the ‘Secret Alloy.’ The dial features a hand-decorated engraving, artfully blackened to highlight the intricate design representing Czapek‘s SXH5 caliber. This detailed engraving with a striking ‘trompe l’oeil’ effect resembles the aesthetics of a skeleton watch. Complementing the design, the dial is finished with three-dimensional indexes, adding depth and sophistication. The sword-shaped hands add a sporty elegance while ensuring optimal readability.
The 40.5mm stainless steel case showcases another layer of visual intrigue with its unique double ‘trompe l’oeil’ curve, an unconventional yet iconic design of this collection. The stainless steel integrated bracelet features a stunning contrast of brushed and highly polished links shaped like a ‘C’ for Czapek. Additionally, the bracelet is equipped with a quick-change system, offering versatility with an easy switch to a rubber or leather strap, and a micro-adjustment.
The Artists & Artisans – Pièce N°1 is powered by the SXH5 automatic caliber, boasting a 60-hour power reserve and a micro-rotor crafted from recycled platinum. This caliber blends the elegance of traditional haute horlogerie finishing techniques with cutting-edge laser engravings, ensuring both sophistication and high reliability.
Collecting rare talent
Speaking about the collaboration, Czapek CEO Xavier de Roquemaurel reflected on the brand’s motto, We collect rare people, and how this project is a true embodiment of that philosophy. “This unique piece is the first of a series that will bring together the rare talents of artists and artisans, in this case our historical manufacturing partner Metalem and our dear friend and master engraver Michèle Rothen. Their artistry and craftsmanship are the perfect reflection of our commitment to preserving and promoting the rare individuals who contribute to the art of watchmaking. We are honoured to donate this unique creation to benefit the Swiss Institute, and to demonstrate once again that luxury is about not just rare crafts, but the people behind them”.
This one-of-a-kind timepiece, the Antarctique “Artists & Artisans – Pièce N°1,” has been generously donated by Czapek to support the Swiss Institute’s mission.
Introducing the one-of-a-kind HYT S1 Titanium « TimeForArt 2024 »
HYT is one of the 26 watch brands participating in the second edition of TimeForArt, and it does so with a deep black version of a new type of hydromechanical sports watch. The S1 Titanium « TimeForArt 2024 » is a one-of-a-kind version of the S1 Titanium collection that will be released in the near future. We already presented a glimpse of HYT’s future in the shape of the silver-colored S1 Titanium « Japan Limited Edition.» It is a timepiece showing that the future is bright at HYT and that more is to come. And since we also like to do good and wish contemporary art and artists a bright future, we created the S1 Titanium « TimeForArt 2024 ». It’s a unique watch that will be auctioned as part of the live Phillips New York Watch Auction in December 2024.
The S1 Titanium « TimeForArt 2024 » is, in a way, a perfect blend of horological and visual art. At the heart of the HYT “masterpiece” lies the caliber 501-CM. The absence of a dial offers a perfect view of an intriguing and revolutionary movement that could be described as functional, kinetic art. The 352-part hand-wound movement beats at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), uses 41 jewels, and offers an ample power reserve of 72 hours. These numbers and specifications represent the traditional side of the S1 Titanium with its Haute Horlogerie-level finishes and decorations. The fine sandblasted and brushed finishes and the black coating of the movement are much more contemporary. Futuristic is the correct term to describe the two bellows that expand and contract to show the hours through a black fluid.
But no matter how striking and artful the one-of-a-kind S1 Titanium « TimeForArt 2024 » might be, it’s also a fully functional sports watch. It’s water-resistant to 50 meters, and reading the time on it is more intuitive than you might think. The black central hand indicates the minutes just like a standard one. The hours are indicated by the retrograde black fluid moving past the Arabic numerals on the flange made of a black honeycomb structure. Once you see it, you can never unsee it, so to speak. In the dark, white SLN will help you tell time. The luminous material on the small black hand in the sub dial at 9 o’clock will even help you count the seconds, and because there’s also SLN on the hand of the power reserve indication placed between 2 and 3 o’clock, the lucky wearer of the S1 Titanium « TimeForArt 2024 » will also exactly now when it’s time to wind the unique piece on the wrist.
The blackened movement parts, different hands, and flange are entirely in theme with the stealthy black case of the S1 Titanium « TimeForArt 2024.» The black-coated and satin-finished titanium case has a diameter of 45.30mm, a height of 17.20mm, and a length of 46.30 mm. It’s a well-proportioned and ergonomically shaped case with an ingenious strap design that attaches angularly to ensure a stable and comfortable position on almost any wrist. The watch comes with two straps that can be changed in the blink of an eye via the clever, nail-friendly quick-release system. The black rubber strap blends almost seamlessly into the angular and edgy case, and it fastens with a black buckle made of titanium, showing brushed and sandblasted finishes. There’s also a perfectly adjustable black Velcro strap with a titanium loop buckle in the same color for a casual look.
The open-worked design of the HYT S1 Titanium « TimeForArt 2024 » grabs the attention with a powerful look, compels you to discover its many delicate details, and makes a lasting impression with its technical presence. This latest HYT timepiece is as much an inventive piece of micro-engineering with no equal as an eruption of artistic watch design.
Petrichor by Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès
When two avant-garde forces in independent watchmaking—Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès—collaborate, you can expect a timepiece that redefines artistry and craftsmanship. Petrichor, their latest creation for TimeForArt, delivers on this promise, merging the mastery of haute horlogerie with a poetic vision inspired by nature’s rebirth after rainfall. “Petrichor,” the name, evokes the unique, earthy aroma released when rain kisses dry ground—a scent that signifies renewal and the beauty of nature’s cyclicality. This olfactory inspiration permeates every detail of the timepiece, from its organic design language to its understated elegance. Massena LAB, known for reinterpreting vintage designs with contemporary flair, and Raúl Pagès, a virtuoso of artisanal techniques, have envisioned a watch that embodies a delicate balance between past and future, chaos and calm.
The dial of Petrichor is its beating heart—a canvas of textures that evoke the complexity of rain-soaked earth. Crafted using a multi-layered enamel technique, the surface resembles a micro-landscape of uneven, cracked soil revitalized by rain. The color palette transitions from earthy browns to deep greens and soft greys, subtly shifting under different light conditions. At the center, a set of minimalist hands—designed by Pagès — glide gracefully across the dial, offering a perfect contrast to the organic background. The hour markers are hand-applied, resembling droplets of rain, further emphasizing the watch’s elemental inspiration.
The 38mm stainless steel case is a testament to Massena LAB’s philosophy of understated elegance. Its sleek, brushed finish enhances the naturalistic feel of the timepiece, while the slim bezel allows the dial to take center stage. The case profile is deliberately thin, hugging the wrist comfortably while exuding a refined presence. Pagès’ influence is evident in the finely contoured lugs and the subtly domed sapphire crystal, which adds depth and magnifies the dial’s textural intricacies. The screw-down crown is discreetly signed with the TimeForArt emblem, reinforcing the watch’s exclusivity and philanthropic purpose.
Underneath the dial lies the Raúl Pagès Caliber RP2, a manual-wound movement crafted in his atelier in Switzerland. This movement is a celebration of traditional watchmaking, featuring a bespoke bridge design inspired by rain patterns, with hand-engraved motifs that mirror the dial’s theme. Each component, from the blued screws to the beveled edges, is meticulously hand-finished—a hallmark of Pagès’ commitment to excellence. With a 60-hour power reserve and a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour, the RP2 combines reliability with aesthetic brilliance. The exhibition caseback provides a window into this mechanical marvel, allowing the wearer to appreciate the harmony of form and function.
Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Skeleton ‘With What Eyes?’ by Rodrigo Hernández
TimeForArt introduced Rodrigo Hernández to the Maison, recognizing that both parties share much in common. While proud of its Swiss roots, Maurice Lacroix continuously showcases its urban-style watches to a global audience, a characteristic it shares with Rodrigo Hernández, an artist who has exhibited his work around the world. When reinterpreting the MASTERPIECE Skeleton, Hernández was given full creative freedom to express his own ideas and craft a horological sculpture in materials of his choosing.
Adroit at working in various mediums, Hernández is widely known for his brass and bronze reliefs. By contemplating time from a different perspective and finding inspiration from the animal world, Hernández, working in collaboration with Maurice Lacroix, has created a highly imaginative wrist-worn sculpture, presented in a 43 mm case.
Mexican philosopher David M. Peña-Guzmán posed a question, “Are humans the only dreamers on Earth?” This question resonated with Hernández leading him to create a new body of work exhibited at the Wattis Institute in San Francisco. The Maurice Lacroix MASTERPIECE Skeleton ‘With what eyes?’ delves into this philosophical meditation with the captivating representation of two monkeys staring at each other, executed in handcrafted bronze. This alloy of copper and tin has been used in the making of important statues for thousands of years and is often viewed with due reverence, making it an ideal medium for this wrist-worn sculpture. Hernández remarks. “I like the use of materials whose firmness and solidity can act in contrast with the ideas they try to represent”. By using bronze, the Mexican artist has created a piece of ticking art, destined to be admired for years to come.
Mexican philosopher David M. Peña-Guzmán posed a question, “Are humans the only dreamers on Earth?” This question resonated with Hernández leading him to create a new body of work exhibited at the Wattis Institute in San Francisco. The Maurice Lacroix MASTERPIECE Skeleton ‘With what eyes?’ delves into this philosophical meditation with the captivating representation of two monkeys staring at each other, executed in handcrafted bronze. This alloy of copper and tin has been used in the making of important statues for thousands of years and is often viewed with due reverence, making it an ideal medium for this wrist-worn sculpture. Hernández remarks. “I like the use of materials whose firmness and solidity can act in contrast with the ideas they try to represent”. By using bronze, the Mexican artist has created a piece of ticking art, destined to be admired for years to come.
Hernández created a mould depicting the heads of the monkeys. This was subsequently used to create the dial and formed in bronze. Maurice Lacroix, keen to perpetuate the tradition of métier d’art, hand engraved the dial and positioned it to the front of the watch. The dial, portraying two monkey heads, resembles the work recently exhibited at the Wattis Institute, albeit depicted in a smaller format. The artist explains, “It’s known that monkeys are very close to us from an evolutionary point of view, but this closeness does not make their world less unique. They have conscious experiences that are inherently subjective and hard to fully comprehend. In thinking about other animals, we are biased by our senses and by our vision in particular. So, by putting two monkeys facing each other I want to think about the moment when two equals can really see each other for what they are without this aforementioned bias.”
Beneath the hour and minute hands, the hour wheel is freely disclosed, sitting at the centre of two worlds, namely that of the watch brand and the sculptor. The bronze case juxtaposes polished and brushed surfaces and confers a warm, golden appearance. Like many works of art, it’s signed by the artist, on this occasion at 9 o’clock. To the rear of the watch, a stainless steel caseback incorporating a pane of sapphire crystal affords sight of the MASTERPIECE ML134 Manufacture Calibre. This hand-wound movement features a three-quarter plate, granting torsional rigidity to the skeletonised structure. The plate and bridges are executed in a golden sandblasted finish, serving as a foil to Hernández’s gleaming sculpture located centre stage. A hand-braided leather strap, accompanied with a bronze buckle, was selected by the artist to complement the handcrafted dial.
Stéphane Waser, Managing Director of Maurice Lacroix, remarks, “We are delighted to support TimeForArt again. This initiative brings together two complementary worlds, namely art and watchmaking. On this occasion, we chose to reimagine one of our Masterpieces and, with the help of Rodrigo, we have created a sculpture for the wrist. At the heart of this timepiece is our ML134 Manufacture Calibre, a hand-wound movement used in some of our Masterpiece creations, the ultimate expression of Maurice Lacroix ownership where excellence is manifest throughout. In this instance, we have united one of our Manufacture movements with art and craftsmanship. Indeed, this unique watch demonstrates our creativity and the talents of our craftspeople…..attributes which are consistent with the work of Swiss Institute.”
For both Maurice Lacroix and the artist, this journey of discovery is the creative goal; a world where dreams promise discovery. In this instance, the journey has culminated in the creation of a Masterpiece par excellence. The name of the watch, ‘With what eyes?’ originates from the Greek poet Sapho and shares the same title as the artist’s installation, hosted at the Wattis Institute in San Francisco. For this exhibition, Hernández presented a series of hand-hammered, stainless steel depictions of monkeys. This collection of thought-provoking works echoes the sentiments of Marcel Proust, “The only true voyage would not be to visit strange lands but to possess other eyes, to see the universes that each of them sees.”
