Last spring, former Audemars Piguet marketing manager Thibaud Guittard decided to launch his own watch brand, ALTO, to critical acclaim. It was fresh yet classy; futuristic yet familiar. Today, it follows up its debut ART 01 with the first variants, bringing along Cartier Senior Watch Designer Raphaël Abeillon for help.
The Original ART 01
When it launched last May, ALTO’s inaugural ART 01 did what few newcomer watch brands are able to do: Cut through the noise of a crowded space to get talked about and discussed. Combining a forward-thinking knack for innovative design with traditional watch cues, the ART 01 wasn’t far outside the box like your Urwerk or Ressence. It took inspiration from the likes of Danish artist Olafur Eliasson, industrial designers like Giorgetto Guigiaro and Luca Bassani, and wedge-shaped concept cars from the ‘70s. Guittard even named the works of Christopher Nolan and Daft Punk as guiding forces behind the geometric design.
Designed with the help of Seaholm Automatic’s Barth Nussbaumer, the ART 01 features an octagonal case and bezel like AP’s Royal Oak. However, unlike the Royal Oak, the ALTO timepiece extends this shape to the dial of the watch as well. It also features a faceted sapphire crystal that’s hemispherical on the inner surface thanks to no fewer than 20 machined steps.
ALTO ART 01 Monochrome Editions
The major difference between the new Monochrome editions and the original ART 01 is the case design. Still housed in grade 5 titanium, the metal has been DLC coated in either gray or black with a bead-blasting effect that doesn’t quite shimmer like the standard, raw-titanium ART 01 but brings a more industrial or brutalist look to the watch.
While the original ART 01 paired a titanium case with a black dial, the new Monochrome variants carry over the respective case color to the dial. That means black with black and gray with gray. Everything else here is shared with the inaugural release, including the 41mm case size and geometric dial, which uses bead-blasted lacquered brass for a distinct shine that plays well with the sapphire crystal’s effect. Each watch is also paired with a matching FKM rubber strap to complete the monochromatic look.
Backwards in Time
If the visual appeal of the ART 01 Monochrome isn’t enough, ALTO has decided to do something unique with its movement. A micro-rotor caliber made by Le Cercle des Horlogers and overseen by Nussbaumer, the Cal. A01 automatic features a seconds hand that ticks counter-clockwise. Viewed through a caseback window with the same faceted approach as the dial crystal, the 4-Hz movement also features a titanium mainplate and 48 hours of power reserve.
Spec Sheet
Case Size: 41mm
Case Material: Grade 5 titanium
Water Resistance: 30m
Movement: In-house Caliber A01 automatic
Band: Black or gray FKM rubber strap
Limited Edition?: Yes, 20 each
Pricing & Availability
Limited to just 20 pieces each (the original ART 01 only had a 25-piece run), the ART 01 Monochrome Editions are priced at €25,500 (~$26,637). To inquire about purchasing, head over to ALTO’s website now.
Recap
ALTO ART 01 Monochrome Editions
Bringing onboard Cartier Senior Watch Designer Raphaël Abeillon, ALTO follows up its debut ART 01 with brutalist-style Monochrome Editions.
