Freelancer BASQUIAT Special Edition

RAYMOND WEIL X BASQUIAT™ Special Edition is a testament to audacity and creativity. With limited availability worldwide, the timepiece pays homage to the iconic contemporary artist, a visionary whose profound influence continues to resonate throughout the worlds of art and culture.

The result is a remarkable fusion of raw neo-expressionism and traditional watchmaking precision, that brings Basquiat’s genius to the wrists of watch enthusiasts and art aficionados alike.

The new freelancer Basquiat Special Edition timepiece is a true collectors’ item showcasing Basquiat’s artwork on the exterior and the artistry of Swiss watchmaking within.

A color palette dominated by the primary colors of red, yellow, and blue has been set against a black background to ensure the legibility of all horological functions. At the heart of the dial sits the iconic ‘Pez Dispenser’, the crown-wearing dinosaur depicted in Basquiat’s famous painting of 1984. Positioned at 12 o’clock, the crown boasts a yellow Super-Luminova® embellishment, while the hour hands and indexes are dressed in white Super-LumiNova®, emitting a glow under dim light conditions.

The sleek black PVD pushers are emblazoned with Basquiat’s iconic symbols; the Copyright symbol on the Cancel/Reset pusher; the Dollar sign on the Start/Stop pusher and the artist’s signature crown motif on the screwed-down crown. The watch highlights a ceramic tachymeter bezel, designed for precise measurement, alongside a flange pulsometer scale calibrated for 30 pulsations.

The bi-compax chronograph recessed counters and skeleton discs carry artistic depth. Located at 9 o’clock, the forever turning seconds’ disc has been covered with a concentric spiral as a metaphor for Basquiat’s personal reflections and life’s complexity. Positioned opposite, the 30-minute jumping disc depicts three of his core painting themes of life, death, and humanity.

At the heart of this timepiece lies Basquiat’s unmistakable signature, merging seamlessly with the W-shaped oscillating weight, RAYMOND WEIL’s horological signature. The titanium case marries design and function, sized at 43.5mm diameter for comfortable wear. The watch houses the caliber RW5030 movement, a mechanical bi-compax chronograph with automatic winding offering a 56-hour power reserve.

The watch is supplied in a special box featuring the iconic yellow crown on its side. Opening the box reveals a bespoke logo plate and ‘Pez’ icon. The presentation box provides an artistic means of showcasing the masterpiece within.

By introducing this special edition watch, RAYMOND WEIL celebrates his spirit and ensures that creativity remains at the heart of the company’s culture.