INTRODUCING: TickerART – hang your favourite watch on your wall

Felix Scholz

Unless you’re a cigar chomping, supercar-driving plutocrat, being cursed with a love of high-end watches is usually an exercise in frustration. The list of watches we want at any given time equals, in our case anyway, the GDP of Chile. It also equals, if we were ever to just go ahead and buy a couple of them, and in no specific order: divorce, homelesness and ridicule from our non watch-obsessed friends.

But still, in our less sane moments, we think about it. Especially when Chrono24 throws up a grail watch at a ‘great price’ (only half the GDP of Chile!). And then sanity, or creditors, usually prevail and we break the wrist and walk away.

There’s a new thing you can do in this moment of reality shock.

Go and browse TickerART. Whether or not you love your latest watch so much you’ve considered getting a tattoo of it (pro tip – never do this) or you’ve decided to prioritize paying the bills above your latest watch lust, Tickerart might be for you.

The brainchild of he who shall remain known as ‘Jon’, a UK based artist and passionate watch enthusiast, TickerART is a project exploring the aesthetics and design of beautiful timepieces, turning these objects of mechanical art into actual, hang-it-on-your-wall art.

We sat down (virtually speaking) with Jon, got the rundown on his passion for watches, his artistic practice and his plans for the future.

T+T: So Jon, why watches?

TickerART: Watches are a real passion of mine. I am amazed by the way a watch works. The refinement of a luxury watch and the design process go very much hand-in-hand with art. They are without doubt, works of art. I can quite easily lose hours of a day by looking at and researching watches.

T+T: I can relate to that! Can you tell us how you create an image – how do you select a suitable watch for a print?

TickerART: There are no hard and fast criteria in the watches I choose. It simply comes down to what has caught my eye, though some designs are much more complicated to create than others – for example a Richard Mille is much more intricate in design than a Rolex Datejust.

T+T: And do you have favourite watches? And is there a difference between a watch that works as an artwork and a watch that works well on the wrist?

TickerART: Personally I’ve been a long-standing fan of Omega. I admire their history and the models that they offer to support that. In terms of watches I’ve created as artworks, some of them are designs I initially disliked. But when I begin to work on those watches, I begin to appreciate some particular details of that watch that are stunning. It may be the crown. It may be the way the hands are shaped. All of a sudden my opinion has changed. Spending so much time studying a watch really gives you an appreciation for the details.

T+T: Do you wear a watch yourself, or do you have a collection?

TickerART: I’ve got several watches – two of which are particularly special. The first is a Mondaine which I purchased in Switzerland, from a store next to a railway platform. But my favourite piece is the classic Omega Speedmaster Professional. There’s no real story behind it other than the fact that I craved it for so long. That it’s one of the most iconic watches in the world makes it special for me. It receives compliments regularly.

T+T: Can I ask a little about Instagram? Watches are really big on Instagram – why do you love it as a platform?

TickerART: The thing I love about Instagram is that it is simple and powered by visuals. A picture speaks a thousand words. This is why it is so important to my designs. I can post an image of a design and my followers can relate immediately. The watch community is huge and I have already generated some amazing friendships as well as having the opportunity to collaborate with other amazing watch accounts. As a community they’re very supportive and kind. I’ve had a really enthusiastic response to my art – as there really isn’t anything else quite like it out there.

T+T: And finally, what’s next for Tickerart?

TickerART: I’ll keep creating images of amazing timepieces that connoisseurs can hang on their walls and admire daily. Beyond that I’m doing some work with a team of guys that will soon be on Kickstarter – so keep your eyes peeled for that.

You can find TickerART on Instagram, or purchase his prints here.