The Swatch Art Journey sees Swatch join forces with world-renowned art institutions to create watches that interpret the world’s most iconic artworks, to spark creativity, inspiration, and a sense of discovery. Exciting things happen when the worlds of art and Swatch come together, as the Swiss watchmaking pioneer constantly seeks innovative ways to bring more art into people's lives. For more information on the Swatch Art Journey capsule collections featuring Swatch x MoMA, Swatch x Magritte and Swatch x LE GALLERIE DEGLI UFFIZI, please visit here.

The Swatch x LOUVRE ABU DHABI collaboration unites the work of two artists in a single, eye-catching watch - and is the first of its kind in the history of Swatch's collaborations with celebrated museums, which kicked off in 2018.

Hokusai meets The Astrolabe.

Combining Katsushika Hokusai's powerful and iconic Japanese artwork with the sophisticated Astrolabe artifact by Muhammad ibn Ahmad Al-Battûtî creates a fresh, new masterpiece for wrists worldwide. To celebrate the launch of THE GREAT WAVE OFF KANAGAWA BY KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI & THE ASTROLABE watch, an immersive room dedicated to Hokusai will open in the heart of Louvre Abu Dhabi on April 27, 2023, for one month. Here, visitors can experience Hokusai’s instantly recognizable water wall in a new and xciting way designed to ignite the senses. Visitors to Louvre Abu Dhabi will also be able to view the artworks in the museum’s permanent collection that inspired the Swatch design: ‘The Great Wave Off Kanagawa’ which will be displayed for a limited time, and the ‘Astrolabe’.

THE GREAT WAVE OFF KANAGAWA BY KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI & THE ASTROLABE

Hokusai shows that creativity has no limit, as he was 60 years old when he designed his most famous print, ‘The Great Wave Off Kanagawa,’ part of the iconic Japanese series ‘Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.’ The willingness of men to explore the oceans and the unknown, to be face to face with the power of nature, water, and the night sky, envelop this Swatch in Prussian blue tones that come straight from Hokusai’s artwork. On the dial and front side of the watch strap is a close-up image of the cresting wave that cleverly plays with perspective to make Japan’s grandest mountain appear as a small triangular mound within its hollow. The underside of the watch depicts elements from Muhammad ibn Ahmad Al-Battûtî’s ‘The Astrolabe,’ an exquisite example of an instrument used in antiquity in many ways, including as an aid in navigation.

“We are pleased to partner with Swatch to launch a Louvre Abu Dhabi watch as part of their exclusive Swatch Art Journey Collection. These watches are truly outstanding as they are inspired by artworks from museums around the world, and are a testament to the limitless potential of art. For Louvre Abu Dhabi's watch, we selected two artworks from our growing permanent collection, The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai and The Astrolabe by Muhammad ibn Ahmad Al-Battûtî. As the first universal museum in the Arab world, we have always remained committed to sharing art and culture with the world, and with Swatch’s ingeniousness, together, we have been able to showcase art reimagined through these unique timepieces, bringing art even closer to people each day,” said Manuel Rabaté, Louvre Abu Dhabi Director.

THE GREAT WAVE OFF KANAGAWA BY KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI & THE ASTROLABE watch is available in Swatch stores across the UAE and on Swatch.com.

For any more enquiries, please contact:

ABOUT LOUVRE ABU DHABI
Created by an exceptional agreement between the governments of Abu Dhabi and France, Louvre Abu Dhabi was designed by Jean Nouvel and opened on Saadiyat Island in November 2017. The museum is inspired by traditional Islamic architecture and its monumental dome creates a rain of light effect and a unique social space that brings people together.

Louvre Abu Dhabi celebrates the universal creativity of mankind and invites audiences to see humanity in a new light. Through its innovative curatorial approach, the museum focuses on building understanding across cultures: through stories of human creativity that transcend civilisations, geographies and times.

The museum’s growing collection is unparalleled in the region and spans thousands of years of human history, including prehistoric tools, artefacts, religious texts, iconic paintings, and contemporary artworks. The permanent collection is supplemented by rotating loans from 13 French partner institutions, regional, and international museums.

Louvre Abu Dhabi is a testing ground for new ideas in a globalised world and champions new generations of cultural leaders. Its international exhibitions, programming and Children’s Museum are inclusive platforms that connect communities and offer enjoyment for all.