Rebel Rousers: French Artist Jisbar on Collaborating with Franck Muller

Your art often reinterprets classical icons. How did you approach reinterpreting a modern icon in the world of watchmaking?

I have a personal interest in horology, and I see Franck Muller as a contemporary brand that is also deeply entrenched in the traditional aspects of watchmaking. As a young artist who has evolved and gained a better understanding of my craft, I see my work as a melting pot of influences. That is the spirit I take into the collaboration.

Please walk us through your process in designing the Vanguard Crazy Hours Jisbar.  

I started by selecting 12 of my best paintings to be featured on the watch. Following that, I extracted one element per painting—numbers-based, of course—to recreate on the dial. In doing so, I also ensured that the elements, when in place, make it easy to tell the time. We do so by adjusting the colours and the disposition of the motifs to make everything fit perfectly. It was important to inject my identity into the watch. When you see the watch, you notice the colours, the motifs, and the playfulness that express what I am about.

What kind of details do you hope people will notice?

There are a lot of things. For one, it is a totally unique watch in that it is playful and arty all at once—and totally a Jisbar creation. It is also a very versatile watch that you can wear with a suit or casual attire. The watch is really like a Jisbar painting. You get to discover something new and different each time you look at it.

Is there a specific emotion you want to convey with this watch?

I hope people will feel the same emotion that I felt when I saw the watch in the flesh for the first time—which is happiness, and that it brings a smile to their faces. We worked on this watch for months, and there is nothing like having it in your hands. I truly believe it is a piece of art that you can wear on the wrist.