A Deep Dive In Art: Hands-On with the Ligure Karl Schmid

Art and watches have a strangely not-so-close relationship, as you would expect. While some brands, such as Jaeger-LeCoultre and Girard-Perregaux, have occasionally flirted with the concept, little artwork has made the transition from the canvas to the dial. That makes the new Ligure Karl Schmid all the more extraordinary, also because it is not a dress watch but a diver.

The central theme of this watch is a piece of art made by Swiss artist Karl Schmid in 1988. It was part of his so-called 'Spirituelles Werk,' a collection of metal plates painted in enamel. Schmid fitted by no means the often romantic view we have of what an artist should be like. Strong beliefs and ethics were mixed with an incredible talent and a deep sense of modesty. He entered the world of handcrafts through a carpentry apprenticeship, but soon found himself taking anatomy lessons to perfect his sketches, which landed him a job as a scientific illustrator. Thanks to the famed architect Walter Gropius, Schmid moved on to a teaching position at the School of Applied Arts in Zurich. What not many people knew was that while he taught passionately, he also created an incredible collection of art with his own hands. As he rarely sold anything, his claim to fame remained in the shadows of those he taught. It was Oliver Ike, founder of Ikepod, who, by accident, came across Karl Schmid's vast collection and was fascinated, something he later turned into the Karl Schmid Foundation. 

While Oliver Ike hasn't been involved in Ikepod for quite some time now, his passion for the watch world has always lingered. As he got into contact with Pieter van Geet, co-founder of Ligure watches, his passion for the work of Karl Schmid spread, with this limited edition as a result.

One of the reasons artwork is often not used on watches is that it doesn't look well on a dial. The surface is small, hands are moving over it; in short, a watch also has a function to perform, rather than just being a wearable canvas. That is what makes this Ligure Karl Schmid all the more impressive. While Schmid was the initial artist, there is another artist behind the scenes who ensured that form and function are not only balanced but meet in synergy; this is Jannieke van Geet, co-founder of Ligure and responsible for its designs. It resulted in a dial that you should explore with a loupe. Then, you see an almost scary resemblance to the 'Spirituelles Werk' by Schmid. The triangular shapes come at you in perfect hues, and up close, you can see the subtle transitions between the colors. Then you also notice the raster going in between the design, which adds a sense of depth.

What makes this dial even more remarkable is that it is still a fully functional dive watch. All the hour markers are still in place, and the hands have the same size, shape, and Super-LumiNova as Ligure's other models. The minute track, around the dial, is slightly lowered and kept in a single color to maintain its functionality. It even has one of my least favorite complications in a watch; a date window. The intriguing part is that all these elements, including the date window, look perfectly in place. They do not take away from the magic of the dial, they do not dilute the work of Schmid, but rather make his art wearable and functional. 

The frame of the Ligure Karl Schmid is formed by the Tartaruga case for which Ligure is known. It measures 41mm in diameter and entices by its organic form. The 120-click bezel is crafted from blue ceramic and features Swiss Super-LumiNova for enhanced functionality. Ligure also made a dedicated screw-down caseback in Karl Schmid style, engraved with the individual number of this 88-piece limited edition. Together with the screw down crown, it also plays a vital role in ensuring that the watch is water-resistant up to 20 ATM/200 meters. 

Ligure delivers the watch in a special packaging with an emblem engraved with the individual limited edition number. Next to the superb bracelet, the Ligure Karl Schmid also comes with a two-tone silicone strap. While I am normally a fan of metal bracelets, the strap fits the theme so nicely that you are bound to switch between them. Both use the heavy-duty Ligure butterfly clasp, which looks good, sits comfortably, and is a pleasure to open and close. At €1,888, this Ligure is one of its top-tier offerings, and all combined, it results in a very convincing package, allowing you to enjoy a piece of art sealed in a 20 ATM water-resistant, sapphire crystal-fitted, stainless steel vault that also tells the time. 

For more info, visit Ligure, here.