In the horological space, heritage can seem like everything. However, there have been plenty of newcomers in recent years that have massaged their way into the industry lexicon so prevalently that you’d think it were easy. Yet when you consider just how many new brands come out each and every month, you’d see that notoriety is no easy task. Launching this month, Swiss indie watchmaker ALTO is a name to watch as you can clearly see with its inaugural model, ART 01.
Legendary Pedigree
Founded by Thibaud Guittard, who cut his teeth as a marketing manager at Audemars Piguet, ALTO combines a forward-thinking knack for innovative design with traditional watch cues. In other words, this isn’t your Ressence or your Urwerk. For inspiration, Guittard looked to industrial designers such as Giorgetto Guigiaro and Luca Bassani, the Danish artist Olafur Eliasson, wedge-shaped concept cars from the 1970s, and even the world of popular art — he credits Daft Punk and Christopher Nolan as influences as well.
As such, his debut piece ART 01 is unlike anything you’ve ever seen in the watch world and yet representative, like most art, of its progenitors. The website states, “ALTO explores the universal theme of time through art in all its forms and thus offers it a unique and singular perspective. The ART01 is much more than an accessory, it is a symbol on which the artistic expression of time is based.”
A Complex Design
After two years of presenting his original ideas to designers only to have them fail at bringing them to fruition, Guittard finally tapped watch designer Barth Nussbaumer of Seaholm Automatic to get the job done: “My ideas were too extreme. I navigated from failure to failure to bring this model to life. Then one day, at the back of the wall, someone whispered to me: if there is only one who can do it, it’s Barth.”
ART 01 Basics
You’ll notice that, like AP’s Royal Oak, the ART 01 has an octagonal shape. But these eight sides aren’t just limited to the case and/or bezel; the watch dial of the ART 01 itself is an actual octagon. It’s all underneath a faceted sapphire crystal that’s hemispherical on the inner surface. The unique faceted crystal alone took three years to develop and requires no fewer than 20 machined steps to complete. The see-through caseback also features this faceted structure. Housed in a grade 5 titanium case, the timepiece is powered by a micro-rotor movement made by Le Cercle des Horlogers and overseen by Nussbaumer.
Possibly more so than the unique case and crystal design, the first thing you’ll notice on the ART 01 is the sci-fi-looking geometric dial, which uses bead-blasted black-coated brass for a radiant shine that plays well with the sapphire crystal. However, the strangest aspect of the watch isn’t the look of it at all but the seconds hand function, which ticks counter-clockwise.
Case Size: 41mm
Case Material: Grade 5 titanium
Water Resistance: 30m
Movement: Automatic
Band: FKM rubber
Limited Edition?: Yes, 25
Pricing & Availability
Limited to just 25 pieces, the ART 01 is priced at CHF 18,450 (~$20,297). We can’t wait to see more from the company in the future. Head to ALTO’s website to learn more.
Recap
ALTO ART 01
New indie watchmaker ALTO debuted with its innovative ART 01, featuring a faceted sapphire crystal, octagonal dial, and unique hand motion.
