Splitrock Dare
A LOVE AFFAIR BETWEEN WATCHES AND STREET ART
When Two Worlds Meet
The SplitRock Dare was born of a flash of inspiration. Street-art lover Pierre Dubois has always been curious about artistic innovation and it was in an art gallery in 2006 when he had the–perhaps slightly crazy– idea to bring together two worlds which were traditionally at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Combining the minute detail of mechanical fine watchmaking and the intrinsic free spirit of the graffiti world resulted in a very limited edition art series: a resolutely urban version of the concentric chronograph, the complication pioneered by Pierre DeRoche, and launched in 2005.
A Meeting of Mavericks
“Dare to be different” is the credo of Swiss street artist Sigi von Koeding. And what better match for the philosophy of Pierre DeRoche, as both are driven by the same urge for freedom of expression. The artist – also known internationally as Dare – had already created more than a thousand graffitis in some 12 countries worldwide when he met Pierre DeRoche.
Always on the lookout for new subjects and compositions and new media and places to accommodate his expression, he took up the challenge to apply his street art to the first calibre in the world offering intuitive reading of stopwatch times.
Free to Be Different
IThe collaboration between Dare and Pierre DeRoche was to be intense. For the street artist, his greatest challenges lay in moving from the almost infinitely large to the miniature; from the monumental wall to the microscope, and the spray can to the paintbrush... without compromising fluidity or precision. The Splitrock Dare, inspired by his series of Greytones canvases, comes with 11 different hand-painted dials, all with orange hands for a touch of extravagance.
The exclusive Sigi von Koeding collection of this great complication was unveiled in 2007. The watch encapsulates the ethos of those who dare to be different, a philosophy all the more poignant because it honours the memory of the artist who died before his time in 2010.
Technical data
MOVEMENT
Mechanical automatic, exclusive Dubois Dépraz calibre, 39 jewels.
Rhodium-plated, cut-out and engraved rotor.
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds.
Chronograph with 3 concentric hands.
Case
Polished and satin-brushed steel.
Size 29 x 42.5 mm.
Crystal
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal front and back.
Dial
Black, white and grey shades with graffiti decorations hand-made by the artist, orange hands.
Winding crown
Winding-crown with the Pierre DeRoche logo.
Water resistance
Water-resistant to 30 m.
Strap
Remborde crocodile with steel folding clasp.
Limited edition
A limited edition of 11 different and unique pieces.