Frieze London

Waddington Custot, Frieze 2020

Goodman Gallery, Frieze Week 2020

Emalin, Frieze Week 2020

Frieze London - founded in 2003 - is one of the world’s most influential contemporary art fairs, focusing only on contemporary art and living artists, and takes place each October in The Regent’s Park, in the heart of London. The fair’s exhibiting galleries represent some of the most exciting artists working today, from the emerging to the iconic; and a team of world-leading independent curators advise on feature sections, making possible performance-based work and ambitious presentations by emerging galleries. The fair’s focus on living artists and innovative practice is also evident in the critically acclaimed Frieze Talks programme.

The 2021 edition of the fair showcases over 160 of the most significant galleries from around the world. Frieze London 2021 will once again foreground discovery, engaging this year with the next generation of European curators who are reshaping the discourse around contemporary art today. Unworlding, curated by Cédric Fauq (Chief Curator, CAPC musée d’art contemporain de Bordeaux) will feature a selection of international artists whose practices are centred around the idea of the undoing of the world as we know it. This year’s fair also sees the addition of Editions, a new section showcasing the world’s leading publishers of editioned works and multiples by today’s most renowned contemporary artists, including Paula Rego, Yinka Shonibare, Georg Baselitz, Do Ho Suh, Julie Mehretu and more.

Frieze London coincides with and is within walking distance of its sister fair, Frieze Masters, in The Regent’s Park. Frieze Masters gives a unique view on the relationship between historical art and contemporary practice, showing work made before the year 2000 whereas Frieze London presents work created mainly post-2000. Connecting Frieze London and Frieze Masters, Frieze Sculpture is a free display of major outdoor works located in The Regent’s Park’s English Gardens at the south end of The Broadwalk. Clare Lilley, Director of Programme at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, has once again selected and placed the works in Frieze Sculpture 2021. Frieze Sculpture is free and open to all until the end of October. Each year, for the last six years, Frieze has had over 60,000 visitors to Frieze London and Frieze Masters combined.

THE EVEREST INFLUENCE

Vacheron Constantin’s sportiest collections is opening up to new aesthetic horizons with two new variations: Overseas chronograph “Everest” and Overseas dual time “Everest”. These two numbered 150-piece limited editions are ideal for everyday wear as well as for the most daring feats, as testified by American explorer and photographer Cory Richards who wears the dual time version and shot the chronograph model in Colorado.

A symbol of discovery and openness to the world, the Overseas collection explores new heights of elegance and robustness with two models radiating a resolutely sporting temperament. Inspired by the world’s highest peak, the Overseas chronograph “Everest” and Overseas dual time “Everest” watches celebrate adventure and self-surpassing. This mindset is personified by explorer and photographer Cory Richards, one of the talents chosen by Vacheron Constantin to embody its One of not many campaign.

In 2019, the seasoned mountaineer undertook his third ascent of the ‘roof of the world’ via the North-East Ridge - considered the most difficult and perilous route - with an Overseas dual time prototype specially developed by Vacheron Constantin on his wrist. This unique watch now lends its aesthetic codes to the two new limited editions, photographed for the occasion by Cory himself.

The new models, all of which are recognisable by the famous six-sided bezel evoking the Maltese cross, are distinguished by a powerful and distinctive style expressed through a skilful combination of materials, alternating between titanium and steel.

The case, the bezel, the pushers and pusher guards are made of titanium, a light, robust and corrosion-resistant metal. The only differences are the finishes: satin-brushed and polished for the case; polished for the pushers; bead blasted for the bezel, crown and pusher guards, reflecting the grained dial finish. The anthracite grey tones contrast with the shimmering gleam of the stainlesssteel bezel ring. On the dial side, these watches opt for an elegantly grained finish punctuated by bright orange accents, a dynamic colour matching the shade of the stitching on the Cordura® strap with nubuck calfskin lining, providing a blend of sturdiness and softness on the wrist. To ensure their versatile elegance, both models are equipped with Overseas collection’s self-interchangeable strap system. This ingenious concept enables tool-free swaps between the Cordura® and rubber straps supplied with the watches, thereby adjusting the styles in step with the mood and the occasion.

Cory gave an insight into these new stunning pieces and how they fit into his incredible lifestyle.

What do you think of these watches?

For me, these watches are an expression of years of refinement and effort. They are the manifestation of the reduction of the superfluous in the pursuit of the essential...and the essence of craftsmanship. All of my endeavors have mirrored this journey...be them in art and photography or exploration. For me, the ultimate expression of any craft is best understood through what we are able to strip away and shed as we drive towards perfection. I see this in the details...what is included and why. I’m reminded of the sweat and blood and tears and joy that all greatness requires. And in the movements I see the countless hours of dedication required to bring any goal to life. I see the time given. I see my life reflected back at me through minutes and seconds and I am reminded that there is still a road ahead and an unfolding of countless journeys yet to come.

How did you approach the shoot?

I wanted our shoot to reflect countless hours spent over a lifetime pursuing exploration. The late nights spent in the dark, hovering above the expanse of the world below. When we leave behind the comfort of our everyday lives and willfully exchange it for discomfort, we are invited into a space of our own evolution and we discover what we are capable of. In the mountains or on the ocean, time dilates and minutes can be experienced as hours, and days remembered as mere seconds. Oftentimes, our success or failure is tied to how we optimize our time...when we wake, how quickly we move, how much we sleep...it is all a measure of time. Speed equates to safety and can literally mean the difference between life and death. Can we beat the sun before the ice melts and rocks begin to rain down? Can we cross a slope before the snow becomes too unstable to traverse, warmed by the heat of the day? Can we beat a storm or must we retreat? It is all a measure of time. I wanted to tell that story of a day moving through an environment, optimized and by attention to detail and efficiency through the awareness of time. It is a story of goals and willingness to observe and respect what is necessary to achieve them, measured out to the last second.

How do you feel about wearing an Overseas Limited Edition “Everest”?

Wearing an Overseas “Everest”, I’m reminded of everything from my childhood and everything that brought me to this moment in time...the trials, the seemingly endless learning through trial and error. The failures balanced against the successes. I’m actually emotional when I stop and contemplate what this watch actually says...about my life and what it can mean to others who wear it. To share such an enormous piece of me condensed into something so refined and beautiful is a humbling honor beyond the words I have. I guess what I feel most is gratitude. Gratitude for the time spent in the company of countless mentors and friends. Gratitude for the places seen and the effort given. And gratitude for everyone who has worked so hard to express all of that in a timepiece that encapsulates it all with such articulation, beauty, and thoughtfulness. I’ve always loved watches, but this is much more than that.

What parallels could you draw between this Overseas “Everest” model and our collaboration with One of not many concepts as your personality?

It’s hard to accept myself as one of not many because I believe that we are all truly extraordinary in our own expressions. But I also work to celebrate the pieces of me that have brought this to life and appreciate that path. In very real terms, every Overseas “Everest” is truly one of not many and that limited nature only acts to amplify everything that has been accomplished and expressed in the watch itself. Much like a timepiece, we are greater than the sum of our parts. Each of us is made of our own collection of movements and gearing, the machinations of the lives we’ve lived...and the outward expression of that is unique. I see this collaboration as a continued expression of that concept. The movements in me are echoed in the craftsmanship

I look to countless times everyday, leading me further into an exploration of self, art, and the planet. For that, I can’t be more humbled and grateful.

MONSIEUR. SUPERLEGGERA EDITION

The story of a rendezvous. A rendezvous that was meant to be. The J12 Superleggera launched in 2005 and the Monsieur watch presented five years ago delivered two worlds that until now have exclusively defined the codes of Chanel watchmaking for men.

With the Monsieur. Superleggera Edition watch - elegant, hightech and distinctive - a new chapter is added to the story of Chanel watches for men.

Acclaimed by women, admired by men and worn by all, the J12 watch celebrates its sporty, masculine features in the Superleggera model. Like the Italian racing cars that revolutionised motor racing with their superlight construction, the J12 Superleggera has always proclaimed its passion for performance and its love of sports.

Athletic in its lines, elegant by nature, sophisticated in its use of high-tech aluminium, it created a look that was different and offbeat.

In 2016, meanwhile, the Monsieur watch inaugurated the first collection dedicated exclusively to men. Its name and its silhouette leave no room for doubt. Its perfect geometric proportions are matched by the refinement of its graphic numerical design. Crowned with the seal of the lion, emblem of Chanel Fine Watchmaking, the Monsieur watch is powered by the Calibre 1, the first movement designed, developed and assembled by the Chanel Manufacture.

Now, the J12 Superleggera and the Monsieur join forces, creating the Monsieur. Superleggera Edition watch.

This is a Monsieur watch, first and foremost. It proudly displays its heritage. It expresses its codes. It revisits its beauty in a sporty manner with a unique personality, uncompromised in its looks, is inspired by the design of racing car speedometers. The Instant Jumping hour, 240º retrograde minute and centered small seconds counter provide its technical infrastructure.

With its matte black highly resistant ceramic 42mm-diameter case, matte black guilloche dial with black nickel finish and black nylon strap lined with red calfskin, the Monsieur. Superleggera Edition watch flexes its muscles - in complete discretion.

Full of grace, its codes evoke the great moments in motor racing and the love of fine engineering. It has been designed for men who like to stand out from the crowd.

The iconic Superleggera signature is positioned at 12 o’clock, with the typeface evoking the epicurean codes of Gran Turismo and the potent red hue suggesting passion and a desire to move forward. The colour is also elegantly echoed in the 60 of the small seconds counter and the small hand of the jumping hour.

The sporty aesthetics of the dial are aligned with the graphic and high-tech design of the black Calibre 1, visible through the transparent sapphire back.

Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire

Armin Strom, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer known for its edgy, eye-catching transparent mechanics, has just launched a rare and stunning new version of its milestone Gravity Equal Force timepiece. With its off-centre grey-toned sapphire dial, the strikingly cool monochrome watch offers an extraordinary view of the exquisitelyfinished manufacture movement and further enhances the brand’s reputation for its irrepressible, exuberant independence.

The Gravity Equal Force has made quite an impression on watch enthusiasts since it was first launched in 2019. And for good reason: it is the world’s first automatic watch with constant force transmission, which results in consistent power delivery to the balance. In short, it means that the watch always delivers flawlessly constant precision. Its ASB19 caliber offers a power reserve of 72 hours.

The timepiece stands out not only with its ground breaking technology but by a design and craftsmanship that set it apart from every other watch. With the launch of the Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire, Armin Strom has reinforced its commitment to the transparent mechanics that have been generating an industry-wide buzz since the brand’s beginnings. The watch is distinguished in equal part by its technical and aesthetic innovations.

Presented in a classic 41 mm stainless-steel case, the Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire comes with a black fabric strap with light grey stitching, subtly maintaining the watch’s resolutely cool monochrome colour scheme.

This breathtaking new Gravity Equal Force timepiece was designed and produced in-house at the brand’s manufacture in Biel. Like every Armin Strom watch, its movement has been assembled twice. After its first assembly, the movement was painstakingly disassembled and each individual part was cleaned, dried, reassembled and lubricated before being meticulously regulated, tested, and returned to the case.

The Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire will be available from October in a limited quantity of 15 pieces for 2021. Due to the limited production capacity, the special timepiece will be available subsequently in a very small number of pieces per year.

MASTERPIECE GRAVITY

Masterpiece is the ultimate expression of Maurice Lacroix ownership. Each curving line and crisp facet is designed to enchant the onlooker. The Masterpiece title has become a byword for thought-provoking design, where colours, depths and textures tastefully coalesce. The Masterpiece Gravity burst onto the watchmaking scene only a few years ago, but it has already become an icon, admired by aesthetes and watch lovers alike. It broke convention by placing the escapement and regulating organ front of house, positioned adjacent to the off-centre hour and minutes display.

Consistent with its contemporary outlook, Maurice Lacroix has created an additional version of the Masterpiece Gravity, overflowing with modernity. The silver-toned dial sidesteps unnecessary clutter, delivering a clean dial which efficiently imparts time. The refined pairing of silver, dark grey and white tones delivers an abundance of eye-appeal that is clear to see. A contemporary and design watch at the same time.

Now, a new version of the Masterpiece Gravity joins the current collection. Housed in a 43mm stainless steel case, it looks very different from its forebears despite sharing many design elements. Indeed, this latest model looks more contemporary and is best described as fresh-faced.

An off-centre hour and minutes display is positioned in the top right corner of the dial. Unlike earlier examples of the Gravity, this display eschews a chapter ring, conferring a neater, tidier appearance.

Each hour is denoted with elongated Roman numerals, save

for noon where the brand’s ‘M’ logo sits on high. The hour and minute hands are yellow gold plated, infusing the display with a soupçon of colour and heightening the sense of luxury.

The silver sun-brushed off-centre hour and minutes display sits above the exposed main plate which is adorned with concentric Vagues du Jura motif. A dark grey small seconds display is positioned at 4 o’clock, sitting above the main plate, but beneath the hour and minutes display, charmingly playing with depths to glorious affect. The remaining bridges are enriched with sandblasted and brushed finishing.

The left side of the dial area reveals the escapement and regulating organ. The oscillating motion of the balance wheel provides a visual spectacle that is difficult to ignore. Beyond its striking appearance, the Gravity was an early adopter of silicium technology. This glass-like material provides a virtually friction-free surface, aiding precision and obviating the need for lubrication. Moreover, silicium components have a low mass, mitigating energy consumption.

An exhibition caseback affords views of the automatic Manufacture Calibre ML 230, a rhodium plated movement featuring Grand colimaçon Côtes de Genève on its reverse. This latest version of the Masterpiece Gravity is supplied on a brown calf leather strap, featuring the ‘M’ logo, paired with a stainless steel butterfly buckle.