At 47mm, the Bubble X Aiiroh is an incitation to suppose massive, and in color. Its dial is indebted to “Avenue Rose”, a 2020 work by which French artist Aiiroh, who got here to prominence as a graffiti artist, makes use of strips torn from avenue posters and newspaper headlines to make a collage within the type of rose petals, overlaid with a stylised cut-out rose in black.

Referencing the historical past of artwork…

Whereas the Bubble X Aiiroh could be very a lot a recent creation, each watchmaking and collage can hint their origins again a whole bunch of years. Popularised within the Twenties by the Dada artists, and Kurt Schwitters particularly, collage was already used for works of spiritual artwork within the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, often encrusted with treasured stones and gold. Richly gilded icons are a advantageous instance.

Now icons have modified, and artwork is not tied to non secular imagery. Aiiroh’s vibrant works reference the “iconic” logos of manufacturers akin to Louis Vuitton and Chanel, intent on taking part in with the references which might be ingrained in his era. 

Bubble47 X Computerized Aiiroh © Corum

… and the historical past of watchmaking

When the Corum Bubble launched in 2000, it introduced a breath of recent air to a model – at the moment led by the visionary Severin Wunderman – that was already famend for its artistic tackle watchmaking. Just a bit loopy with its curves and spectacular domed sapphire crystal, the Bubble was impressed by the landmark design of the Rolex Deep Sea Particular, whose clear dome protected the dial from excessive strain underwater.

The Bubble quickly emerged as one in every of Corum’s best-selling fashions. Initially offered as a 44mm diameter, it later expanded into 47mm and 52mm sizes. This quantity of dial area lends itself admirably to all method of variations and methods, whereas the domed sapphire crystal acts like a magnifier, enlarging and distorting the extraordinary dials. Due to its experimental and overtly transgressive nature, the Bubble turned the best platform for collaborations with up to date artists, together with the Canadian Elisabetta Fantone and now Aiiroh. 

Bubble 47 Computerized © Corum

Artwork and extra artwork!

The methods used to embellish the Bubble’s dial are just like these utilized by Aiiroh for “Avenue Rose”. Set in opposition to a stark black background, a collage of rose petals bursts into life, in shades of turquoise, orange, lavender, purple, blue, pink, yellow and inexperienced. A black aluminium cut-out of a stylised rose is then positioned on prime. Aiiroh has even created a particular presentation field for this Bubble with a spray-paint design.

Two different artists and members of the identical collective as Aiiroh additionally contributed to the Corum Bubble X Aiiroh. They’re Namisen, a Japanese modernist artist, and Soyz Financial institution, a French visible artist. All three labored collectively on a bit of sculpted wall artwork. This authentic design, which riffs on Corum’s certificates of authenticity and the model’s key emblem, started as a two-dimensional portray which was then folded and forged in resin. A efficiency worthy of the Corum Bubble!