Playing tag: Kongo’s riot of colour for Richard Mille
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Dalí melted a watch; the dial on Picasso’s spelled out his name. It was outrageous back in 1985, when graffiti artist Keith Haring produced a dial design for Swatch. Three years later, Warhol created a model for Movado and over the past couple of years, Parmigiani has engaged street artist André Saraiva to create dials for limited edition collections. So, it’s safe to say that a sub-genre caters to art-loving watch enthusiasts.
This month, however, a new level of integration between art and horology emerges with the astounding 'RM 68-01 Tourbillon Cyril Kongo' from Richard Mille. Kongo is the Paris street artist already famed for designing the Hermès graffiti silk scarf in 2011. Now, he has hand sprayed a watch movement, decorating every visible level within to further heighten its multi-layered 3D effect. Despite the miniature scale of the mechanics, Kongo has exploited every surface. From the chapter ring, graduated in hours and minutes, to the bridges supporting the various components, the artist has endeavoured to decorate them all – even the barrel cover and the glass itself.
Richard Mille has never shied away from colour in its designs, adding a wry humour to a design arena dominated by precious metals.
Using a tourbillon movement also shows Mille’s commitment to an authentic coming together of the disciplines of street art and high-end watchmaking. That apparent disconnect is not lost on Kongo, who explains, 'Graffiti is a language with its own codes, a form of writing, whether this be on a gigantic wall, on canvas, or any other surface. I am not a painter bound to a single space, nor to any particular surface.'
The watch design, limited to 30 pieces worldwide, took over a year to develop. A special painting technique suitable to a micro-milieu had to be developed, with Kongo eventually using an airbrush that could deliver one droplet at a time. Even the weight of the paint had to be determined so as not to upset the watch’s functionality, while ensuring it would adhere to the titanium surfaces created further challenges.
No wonder the 'RM 68-01 Tourbillon Cyril Kongo' offers something fresh at every glance.
Kongo hand-sprayed a watch movement, decorating every visible level within to further heighten its multi-layered 3D effect. Photography: Didier Gourdon
Richard Mille has never shied away from colour in its designs, adding a wry humour to an arena dominated by precious metals
Kongo explains, ’Graffiti is a language with its own codes, a form of writing, whether this be on a gigantic wall, on canvas, or any other surface. I am not a painter bound to a single space, nor to any particular surface.’ Photography: Didier Gourdon
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Richard Mille website (opens in new tab)
Photography courtesy Richard Mille and Kongo
-
Eternity rings for the modern couple
Eternity rings, whether sleekly minimalist or sprinkled in diamonds, can be a chic and contemporary love token
By Hannah Silver • Published
-
Giorgetti Spiga – The Place opens in Milan’s fashion quarter
The new Giorgetti Spiga – The Place transforms a 17th-century palazzo in Milan, showcasing the furniture company's full offering over four floors
By Maria Cristina Didero • Published
-
This futuristic ski house is born of its sloped locale
A ski house with a contemporary twist, this is House at 9,000ft by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple in the Intermountain Region of Western USA
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Fendi's golden gadgets are glamorous stocking fillers
The Roman house has teamed up with London accessories label Chaos on a range of tech jewellery accessories, including Air Pod holders and iPhone cases
By Laura Hawkins • Last updated
-
Rashid Johnson unveils gender-fluid jewellery collection
Artist Rashid Johnson collaborates with Lizworks on a fine jewellery collection featuring artworks from his Anxious Men series. This article is a preview from Wallpaper's October 2020 issue, on newsstands from 17 September
By Tilly Macalister-Smith • Last updated
-
Meet Baume: the future-proof watch brand making sustainable design good for business
By Elly Parsons • Last updated
-
Scarf wit: art lovers can put their neck on the line for their favourite museums
By Rosa Bertoli • Last updated
-
Victoria Beckham and Emily Young piece together fragmentary jewels
By Laura Hawkins • Last updated
-
Art jewellery collection Gems and Ladders launches in London
By Elly Parsons • Last updated
-
Light armour: Boucheron’s Claire Choisne turns cape crusader
By Caragh McKay • Last updated
-
Clip service: hair clasps are the mane attraction of contemporary jewellery
By Katrina Israel • Last updated