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The Alto x Bernar Venet Art 01
Alto is a Paris-based independent brand founded by Thibaud Guittard, a former Audemars Piguet executive and a passionate collector of art, design, and cars.
He associated with Raphaël Abeillon, who was previously a senior designer at Cartier and who is now Creative Director of the brand.
Together, they have created a watch, the Art 01, offering brutalist architecture vibes, severe angles, avant-garde 1970s automotive design influences, and which has already seen 4 variations.
1) Here's the grade 5 titanium First Edition Ref. MK1 TI:
credit: Bertrand Labassée aka @blabassee
2) Here's the bead-blasted & DLC coated grade 5 titanium Monochrome Black Ref. MK2 TI:
3) Here's the bead-blasted grade 5 titanium Monochrome Grey Ref. MK3 TI:
4) And Here's the hand satin finish yellow gold Falcon Eye Ref. MK4 AU:
They are now releasing a new variation made in collaboration with a major French contemporary artist born in 1941: Bernar Venet.
He was the 2016 recipient of the International Sculpture Center's Lifetime Achievement Award.
This is how the Art 01 Bernar Venet Ref. MK5 BR looks like:
It is strongly inspired by Venet's famous massive, Corten steel, collapsed beam sculptural structures.
credit: Alto (1-2), Venet Foundation (3) & Tanguy Beurdeley. VENET/ADAGP, Paris, 2023. Courtesy Perrotin (4)
Naturally, this collaboration had to take the form of a translation:
- From monumental sculpture to intimate object.
- From Corten steel to patinated bronze.
- From public space to the wrist.
The dial becomes a micro-sculpture – an interlacing of arcs, composed as a controlled fall.
The surface is structured in relief with hollows, ridges, and intersections that capture light and shadow.
The case and dial are made of a proprietary bronze alloy with a one-of-a-kind patina, which is stabilised yet alive.
The monobloc case measures 40 mm.
The warm tone echoes Venet's monumental works.
The crown is signed with the brand's logo.
Like previous versions of the Art 01, the Bernar Venet limited edition features a “back in time seconds hand in reverse operation”, i.e. a second hand that runs backward.
The warm tone echoes Venet's monumental works.
The crown is signed with the brand's logo.
Like previous versions of the Art 01, the Bernar Venet limited edition features a “back in time seconds hand in reverse operation”, i.e. a second hand that runs backward.
This unique (quirky) characteristic is intended to remove any sense of obviousness from the passage of time.
The watch is powered by automatic micro-rotor caliber A01:
The A01 movement was designed by Barth Nussbaumer, one of the three principals behind the independent brand Kollokium:
credit of the photos above: Hodinkee
The watch is powered by automatic micro-rotor caliber A01:
The A01 movement was designed by Barth Nussbaumer, one of the three principals behind the independent brand Kollokium:
credit of the photos above: Hodinkee
To conclude this post, here are a few images of the design process and drawings:
Bernar Venet with Raphaël Abeillon:
Raphaël Abeillon, Thibaud Guittard & Bernar Venet near one of Venet's monumental works:
I personally like the work of Bernar Venet – I find his monumental sculptures quite fascinating – and I find this collaboration watch appealing.
What a bout you?
credit: Alto Watches
Thank you for reading.
Best, Emmanuel
The Alto x Bernar Venet Art 01
Alto is a Paris -based independent brand founded by Thibaud Guittard , a former Audemars Piguet executive and a passionate collector of art, design, and cars. He associated with Raphaël Abeillon , who was previously a senior designer at Cartier and who is...
I really admire it as an art-piece watch....
But ultimately find it too 'cold' for my tastes, after all it reinterprets a steel sculpture .... Generally, I am truly happy that companies and pieces like this one exist, this one will appeal to someone extremely, just like my Sarpaneva appeals to me . ...
It is very sculptural indeed, but, because of the warm bronze tone I personally don't find it cold...
But I definitely understand how you feel! Cheers, Emmanuel
One thing is certain....
It's one of those watches that you have to see in person!....
Thanks for sharing as always
I generally like bronze and personally I may have preferred a polished dial to let natural patina do its work over time. Generally the photos were good with the exception of the ones of taken while seated in that chair, the first one wearing sneakers in p...
I just used the photos available on their website and IG account:
this is how they present themselves! But what counts is the watch, isn't it? ;-) And I find it interesting and appealing, especially since I really like Venet's sculptures... Best, Emmanuel
np at all
I was just commenting on the vibe I got from the picture and that of the founder in particular which looked a bit out of place with the concept being pushed forward. I like the sculptures too!
My pleasure, Salman: I find their work interesting.
And I like Venet’s sculptures! Best, Emmanuel
These are very cool...love that bronze version...
...could use a bit more contrast with the hands but maybe that would defeat the point. Nice logo too : )