Why watches and pop art are a match made in luxury heaven: LeBron James and Serena Williams own Marvel-inspired Audemars Piguets, Omega has the Snoopy Moonwatch and Patek Philippe worked with Disney

Jan 6 , 2023

Luxury watchmaking is going beyond tradition, drawing inspiration from pop culture and collaborating with artists for their unique timepieces, such as Hublot’s Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Sapphire Rainbow. Photo: Hublot

XXIV 2022

Maisons like Hublot and Patek Philippe are looking beyond the confines of their craft for inspiration, from contemporary art to pop culture, collaborating with artists like Romero Britto and Takashi Murakami

Omega and Snoopy both have a Nasa connection, hence the Snoopy Moonwatch; while Swiss designer Gerald Genta pioneered Audemars Piguet’s Black Panther timepiece

Watches are pieces of art in themselves, albeit in miniature form. While there are similarities between classical artistic crafts and watchmaking, ranging from gold sculpting and engraving to miniature painting, it does not end there.

Although steeped in tradition and expertise developed over centuries, watchmakers are not afraid of drawing inspiration from contemporary references. Watch dials sporting contemporary art and pop culture offer a unique juxtaposition of tradition and the pushing of boundaries.

Comic books, pop art, graffiti, calligraphy and even tattoos have found their way onto the dials of some luxury timepieces. It would be impossible to appreciate the cross-pollination of these crafts without referencing one of the most recognisable pop-art-inspired watches.

Some luxury watchmakers are turning to contemporary art, comics and pop art for inspiration, such as Hublot’s collaboration with famed Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. Photo: Hublot

Gerald Genta, the visionary behind Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak and Patek Philippe’s Nautilus, pioneered a series of timepieces under his own brand that incorporated the playful cast of Disney.

He elevated the “Mickey Mouse Hand” watch with automatic movements as well as retrograde editions that saw Donald, Minnie and the gang’s arms transformed into jumping hour hands. The Gerald Genta brand continues to focus on the designer’s famous retrograde complications and produces these Disney watches in small quantities.

Omega’s Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award 50th anniversary edition. Photo: Omega

Just as important a part of American pop culture as Mickey Mouse is Snoopy, featured on the dials of several Omega timepieces. Their shared connection to Nasa – Omega as its official timekeeper and Snoopy as its mascot – has naturally landed the beloved comic pup on the face of the Speedmaster.

The Snoopy Moonwatch’s Silver Snoopy Award anniversary edition commemorates the Snoopy Award Nasa gives to astronauts as recognition of their achievement and contribution to space exploration. Omega has in the past presented several renditions of the timepiece, including the 50th-anniversary edition with Snoopy wearing an astronaut’s helmet on the chronograph counter at nine o’clock.

Capitalising on the tremendous fan base of the Marvel universe, Audemars Piguet launched the Royal Oak Concept Black Panther Flying Tourbillon featuring a hand-engraved Black Panther on the dial. In a vibranium-inspired shade of purple, the watch marries one of the most important inventions in watchmaking, the gravity-defying tourbillon, together with the artistic craft of engraving and sculpting.

Wrist-mounted superhero to the rescue: the Royal Oak Concept Black Panther Flying Tourbillon. Photo: Audemars Piguet