In the world of haute horology, where collaborations with artists is commonplace, the latest one to make news is luxury watch maker Corum’s association with street artist Aiiroh. The contemporary artist has lent his inimitable touch to the Bubble 47 Automatic Aiiroh watch (Ref L082/04407 – 082.320.98/0601 AI10), an 88-piece limited edition.
Aiiroh is a French artist whose works have been featured in solo and group shows internationally. He started as a graffiti artist and has expanded to more urban and pop style on metal. It is this bold aesthetic of colour and collages that is seen on the Bubble 47 Automatic Aiiroh watch.
This 47mm stainless steel watch, inspired by Aiiroh’s ‘Black Série Rose’ artwork, features a black PVD-coatin. On the dial, there are two layers – the first, lower one, has a rose petal collage in shades of turquoise, orange, lavender, purple, blue, red, yellow and green, create using concert, festival and political posters. On this, a second black dial made of aluminium that resembles a rose is set, which gives rise to a striking contrast. Finally, this is topped with the half-globe domed sapphire crystal, giving the wearer a distinct, somewhat distorted view of the dial.
At the centre of this artwork, rest rhodium-coated hour and minute hands, with a red coloured central seconds hand. There is a semi-circle minute tracker with ‘Corum’ logo at 12 o’clock, and a stainless steel crown with PVD coating at 3 o’clock.
Turning the watch reveals a transparent caseback with a view of the Calibre CO 082, an automatic movement offering a power reserve of 42 hours. The watch sits on a synthetic strap with rubber lining, and comes with a 100m water resistance. For the packaging and accompanying wall art, Corum has collaborated with Aiiroh, Japanese modern artist Namisen, and French visual artist Soyz Bank, part of a group called Mind the Gap Label. The sculptured wall art is inspired by Corum’s watch certificate, and finished in resin.
