No Reserve
130≌
UNIMATIC X MASSENA LAB X King Nerd
Ref. U4S-BRZ-SI
UNIMATIC x King Nerd x Massena LAB U4S-BRZ-SI
A unique bronze wristwatch with hand-engraved bronze dial by King Nerd inspired by William Tell, warranty card, and presentation box, sold to benefit Swiss Institute
- Estimate
- $6,000 - 12,000•
$12,600
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- UNIMATIC X MASSENA LAB X King Nerd
- Year
- 2022
- Reference No
- U4S-BRZ-SI
- Case No
- Numbered 1/1
- Model Name
- UNIMATIC x King Nerd x Massena LAB U4S-BRZ-SI
- Material
- Bronze
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. Sellita SW200-1, 26 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- Bronze
- Dimensions
- 40mm Diameter
- Signed
- Dial and case signed by all three creators -UNIMATIC, King Nerd, and Massena LAB.
- Accessories
- Accompanied by UNIMATIC case, additional NATO strap, warranty card, and Massena LAB NFC card.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
A three-way collaboration, and a pièce unique, U4S-BRZ-SI was conceived and created to celebrate Swiss history and to benefit New York City’s Swiss Institute. The UNIMATIC x King Nerd x Massena LAB U4S-BRZ-SI is a self-winding wristwatch with a bronze case (UNIMATIC’s first ever use of bronze) and a bronze, galvanic-coated and hand-engraved dial by the artist King Nerd.
The U4S-BRZ-SI commemorates the story of William Tell, the Swiss folk hero thought to be the originator of the Swiss Confederation. According to legend, William Tell was a famed 14th-century outdoorsman and marksman. When he, quite literally, refused to bow to the Austrian dominion of his Swiss canton, both he and his young son were arrested and sentenced to death. Before the planned execution, in a cruel plot to punish and humiliate Tell even further, Tell was offered a chance at freedom. If, and only if, Tell could, in one attempt, shoot an arrow through an apple placed on top of his blindfolded son’s head, he would win freedom for them both. When Tell was successful, stunning and embarrassing the Austrian authorities, he was betrayed and arrested once more, leading to a popular uprising against the Austrians and uniting the disparate cantons of Switzerland into a single confederacy.
The dial depicts three elements of the Tell legend. At the center of the dial, the apple represents not only the literal fruit from the Tell story, but also The Big Apple — New York City — home to both Massena LAB and Swiss Institute. The arrows, piercing the apple, function as the dial’s hour markers while also symbolizing precision, forward-movement, and progress. The bounds of ribbon, the loose blindfold of Tell’s rescued son, are a symbol of freedom, liberation, and the opposite of blindness: vision, wisdom, and knowledge.
Generously donated by UNIMATIC and Massena LAB, the watch is being sold to benefit the missions of Swiss Institute.
The buyer of this lot may be eligible to receive a charitable tax deduction for their purchase. Please see section 10 of this Auction’s Conditions of Sale.
The U4S-BRZ-SI commemorates the story of William Tell, the Swiss folk hero thought to be the originator of the Swiss Confederation. According to legend, William Tell was a famed 14th-century outdoorsman and marksman. When he, quite literally, refused to bow to the Austrian dominion of his Swiss canton, both he and his young son were arrested and sentenced to death. Before the planned execution, in a cruel plot to punish and humiliate Tell even further, Tell was offered a chance at freedom. If, and only if, Tell could, in one attempt, shoot an arrow through an apple placed on top of his blindfolded son’s head, he would win freedom for them both. When Tell was successful, stunning and embarrassing the Austrian authorities, he was betrayed and arrested once more, leading to a popular uprising against the Austrians and uniting the disparate cantons of Switzerland into a single confederacy.
The dial depicts three elements of the Tell legend. At the center of the dial, the apple represents not only the literal fruit from the Tell story, but also The Big Apple — New York City — home to both Massena LAB and Swiss Institute. The arrows, piercing the apple, function as the dial’s hour markers while also symbolizing precision, forward-movement, and progress. The bounds of ribbon, the loose blindfold of Tell’s rescued son, are a symbol of freedom, liberation, and the opposite of blindness: vision, wisdom, and knowledge.
Generously donated by UNIMATIC and Massena LAB, the watch is being sold to benefit the missions of Swiss Institute.
The buyer of this lot may be eligible to receive a charitable tax deduction for their purchase. Please see section 10 of this Auction’s Conditions of Sale.