We hear a lot about the convergence of art, fine watchmaking, and design these days, but some brands take the brief more seriously than others. Mark first told us to watch out for Paris-based Alto last year and gave us a look at its Art 01 model with a story introducing the new design-forward, architecture-inspired, independent brand.
Founded by Thibaud Guittard, a former Audemars Piguet executive and a passionate collector of art, design, and cars, Alto’s Creative Director is Raphaël Abeillon, who was previously a senior designer at Cartier. Offering brutalist architecture vibes, severe angles, and avant-garde 1970s automotive design influences, the Art 01 represents a singular platform through which the French brand is expressing its take on the luxury watch as a time-telling objet d’art. And now, with its latest iteration of the Swiss-made timepiece, Alto has enlisted a true giant of the contemporary art world for inspiration and collaboration, Bernar Venet.
Andy Hoffman
2026-04-06 17:00:00