The Swiss Institute’s TimeForArt Auction at Phillips New York

When it comes to supporting a good cause, the global watch community can always be counted on to dig deep and throw its concerted weight behind it. We witness staggering results every two years at the Only Watch auctions in support of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and Revolution’s own Pink Dial Project has raised substantial sums for breast cancer charities. The art world, on the face of it, achieves staggering sums at auctions; it is often said that the watch world is merely “playing at it” compared to the results that art auctions achieve. Having spent over a decade and a half in the education sector, initially as an arts specialist, I feel qualified to state that the on-the-ground picture is very different. Contemporary artists, arts education and exhibition centres are not rolling around in cash from aforementioned auctions. That cash sits with collectors and dealers primarily. The Swiss Institute is working in partnership with Phillips Watches during its New York sale this weekend to hold a benefit sale of watches to raise money to support the art world. With a fantastic assemblage of unique pieces on offer, some of which have been created alongside artists, this is a great opportunity to support a worthwhile cause and grab a special watch!

The Swiss Insitute is one of the world’s leading independent non-profit art venues, hosting exhibitions, education workshops, and public programs since 1986. Says Maja Hoffmann, President of Swiss Institute & Simon Castets, Executive Chair of Swiss Institute: “Swiss Institute is grateful for the outpouring of support from the watchmaking world; we see the beginning of a new wave of philanthropy. Haute Horlogerie is starting to embrace contemporary art of a new generation, moving the creative conversation forward in a way that is genuinely community-driven.”

The curated watches that are included in the inaugural TimeForArt auction, all focus of the theme of ‘artists for artists’ and are either unique collaborations with world-renowned artisans, interventions by leading contemporary artists, bespoke examples of innovative craftsmanship or coveted limited-edition timepieces. The companies that are taking part are Andersen Genève, Arnold & Son x Matt Copson, Chanel, Chopard, De Bethune x Marc Newson, Hermès x HODINKEE, HYT L’Epée x ECAL, Laurent Ferrier, M.A.D.Editions, Maurice Lacroix, Ralph Lauren, Romain Gauthier x Anita Porchet, Speake-Marin, Trilobe, UNIMATIC x King Nerd x Massena LAB and URWERK x Cooper Jacoby.