One of the first colours used in art, black pigments were often created with charcoal and iron minerals for wall paintings. And while the hue is ubiquitous in artworks today, French artist Pierre Soulages has embraced it in a whole different way, specializing in it in a way, few others have. In Soulages' work, striations on a black surface has enabled him to explore the way light reflects, allowing black to come out and become a luminous colour. The idea is now the foundation of Baume et Mercier's new watch, the Hampton 10641 'Hommage a Pierre Soulages'.

The timepiece, in specific, is based on a series of works Soulages unveiled in January 1979 called NoirLumière. The artworks were coated with black paint and textured with tools and brushes, ultimately with the intent to reveal to play with light that would in turn reveal its various facets. Keeping this idea alive, the dial of the Hampton 10641 'Hommage à Pierre Soulages', showcases a miniaturisation of one of the Outrenoir paintings, in specific the Peinture 390 x 130 cm 17 mars 2019.

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The 48mm watch features a black, opaline rectangular dial on which featuring shades of textured black, given the interplay with light. Parts of the dial are matte, semi-matte, shining, and diffuse layers, much like Soulages’ work. Sitting atop it are black sword-shaped hands with golden marking on each tip. The rectangular case is sandblasted, while the caseback gets a sapphire crystal giving it a water resistance of 50 metres. This new timepiece is limited to 102 pieces (the number refers to Soulages' age). 

The watch is powered by a self-winding ETA 2892-A2 automatic movement, featuring a black oscillating weight with the name Hampton 'Hommage à Pierre Soulages' engraved that can be admired through a sapphire crystal caseback. The watch has a 42 hour power reserve and 4Hz frequency, and is finished in a black sandblasted alligator strap with a pin buckle system.

The timepiece will be presented in an exclusive case that pays tribute to the contemporary architecture of Musée Soulages, and will be accompanied by a leaflet telling details of the collaboration, and a VIP pass for two for the Musée Soulages in Rodez. A book on the work of Pierre Soulages will also be sent to each owner of a Hampton 'Hommage à Pierre Soulages'.

All images: Courtesy Baume & Mercier