FOR the past 25 years or so, no other watch brand has captured the dynamic and ever-changing trends of pop culture better than Swatch.
From simple to stylish chic and from thick into sleek thin, its variety of designs have also become vestiges of sorts for historic moments and once in a lifetime events, making it appeal to both young and old, as well as to the practical and fashionable.
Swatch unveiled its latest collaboration with one of Japan’s most noted artist, Hiroyuki Matsuura, amid a fashion show and cosplay competition, on Saturday at the Trinoma Mall in Quezon City.
Combining avant-garde artistic creativity with advanced watchmaking technology, Swatch again creates more “art for the wrist” as Matsuura transforms the wristwatch into the world’s smallest art canvas.
Born in Tokyo, Hiroyuki Matsuura worked as a graphic designer before a solo exhibition in 2005 kick-started his career as an artist. Today he works in the variety of formats—painting, sculpture and limited edition multiples—in Japan and abroad.
For the Swatch and Art Collection, Matsuura designed six New Gents that include, Transmission, Strawberry Switchblade, Crowha, Windy Bunny, Ducky Brigade, and Use Your Ears.
His new creations perfectly characterizes the colorful and creative youth of today with characters that seem to speak directly to the viewer. His work on “the world’s smallest canvas” for Swatch has the same bold, larger-than-life dimension. His characters may live in a fictional world, but they seem entirely familiar to us, intimate friends and fellow travellers in space.
Tatooed in time
The event, hosted by cosplay goddess Alodia Gosiengfiao and Tim Yap, brought together some of the most talented cosplayers in the country as they competed for the prize and fame in three different categories: best male, best female and mecha cosplay.
Several homegrown desingners such as Kermit Tesoro, Louis Claparols, Jerome Lorico, Eric delos Santos, Jerome Ang and Martin Bautista then showcased their interpretations of the six designs of Matsuura for Swatch in a mini fashion show.
It also marked the partnership of Swatch and Globe Tattoo in helping more people express their true selves and live without limits.
Motivated, vibrant and unparalleled, the new Tattoo puts users at the helm of the social networking experience by providing them the fastest connections available to let the world know what they are up to.
The powerful Tattoo superstick has speeds of up to 3 mpbs, Wi-fi sharing capability and 200 free texts monthly. And while they make their mark online, subscribers can likewise cement their individuality offline with Swatch’s latest collection.
Until July 31, all new Tattoo Postpaid Unlimited Plan subscribers, whether Plan 999 or Plan 1,299, will automatically receive a Tattoo Gift Certificate from Globe worth P1,500 or P2,500, respectively, which they can use purchase a Swatch Watch from participating Swatch outlets nationwide. Tattoo subscribers can make use of their gift certificates until September 30, 2011. For more information, log on to http://tattoo.globe.com.ph.
The Matsuura collection is now available at Swatch Stores SM Megamall, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 5 and Trinoma. Swatch Kiosks at SM Mall of Asia, SM City North EDSA, SM City Davao, Glorietta 3, Rockwell Power Plant Mall, Greenhills V-Mall, Shangri-La Plaza, Robinsons Place, Ermita, Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall, Festival Mall, Ayala Center, Alabang Town Center and Ayala Marquee Mall, Angeles, Pampanga.
