Why Watch Design Collaborations Are the New Trend to Follow
The designers at the world’s top watch brands are unequalled experts at doing what they do, but that doesn’t mean they can’t occasionally benefit from a little bit of outside inspiration. That was certainly the case with the collabs below, which added a new flavour to some of the watch world’s most tried-and-true models this year.
TAG Heuer × Porsche
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A partnership 60 years in the making, TAG Heuer and Porsche have finally teamed up to announce an ongoing collaboration spanning watches, cars, events, and more. Their first release is a limited-edition chronograph inspired by the Porsche 911 that features an asphalt-textured dial and a rotor inspired by a three-spoke steering wheel. A TAG Heuer–branded 911 can’t be far behind, right? ($7,500 on steel bracelet)
Jaeger-LeCoultre × Casa Fagliano
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Jaeger-LeCoultre kicked off the 90th birthday of its Reverso with this collab with Argentine bootmaker Casa Fagliano. As it’s the world’s most famous polo watch (the reversible case was originally designed to protect the dial during play), there’s nothing more fitting than a strap inspired by the canvas and leather boots made by Casa Fagliano for summer polo. Jodhpurs not included. (Price upon request)
Vacheron Constantin × Cory Richards
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Following their one-of-one collab with the National Geographic explorer and photographer a few years ago, the Swiss watchmaker has teamed up with Cory Richards again to offer his signature Over-seas in a pair of new limited editions. Available as a world timer and a chronograph, the watch features a picture of Mount Everest engraved on the oscillating weight and a strap with safety-orange contrast stitching. ($45,300 for chronograph and $38,300 for dual-time)
Seiko × Rowing Blazers
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The Seiko 5 Sports was already beloved for its clean design and wide range of colours and materials, but this collab offered a tantalizing glimpse at what it can be in the hands of a talented designer. Envisioned by Jack Carlson, the creative brain behind the prep-centric Rowing Blazers label, this limited-edition capsule sold out in record time and created a legion of new fans for the humble 5 Sports. ($495 USD for colour block model)
Audemars Piguet × Marvel
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The Marvel Universe got a little bit bigger thanks to a first-of-its-kind collab between the film studio and Audemars Piguet, sparked by a casual conversation between Don Cheadle and the head of the revered Swiss watch brand. Their first outing together was the stunning Royal Oak Concept “Black Panther” Flying Tourbillon, a limited edition of 250 pieces and — after one sold for nearly $600,000 at auction last summer — perhaps the most valuable character watch ever made. (Price on request)
Tissot × Memphis Milano
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In 1988, Tissot tapped Ettore Sottsass — founder of the influential 1980s design collective Memphis Group, whose oft-reproduced squiggly lines, geometric shapes, and bright pinks and blues helped to define the aesthetic of the era — to design a watch. In 2021, to mark the 40th anniversary of the movement’s birth, Tissot relaunched the collab as the Heritage Memphis, a limited-edition collection that pays tribute to one of the 20th century’s most unconventional designers. ($525)
