Saint Laurent Partners Swiss Watchmaker To Digitize Iconic Timepiece From ‘70s

At the start of the year, Saint Laurent put a fast-food spin on luxury handbags with its ‘Take-Away Box Bag’ reminiscent of Happy Meals and Chinese takeouts. Now, the fashion label is heading away from affordable meals into the realm of luxury timepieces.

Teaming up with Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux, Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello has modernized the iconic Casquette watch, bringing the popular 70s design into the 21st-century world of digital clocks and smartwatches.

Staying true to the original Casquette, the redesign features a minimized watch face with a teeny-tiny LED display in a daring reinterpretation of history. With its unremarkable black case, the timepiece doesn’t stand out at first glance, but that’s what makes it special.

The body of the watch comprises black ceramic and PVD-treated grade 5 titanium, with an ergonomic case that arches comfortably around the wearer’s wrist as an ultra-chic accessory. Additionally, it comes with a chronograph and can display times from different locations.

“Our avant-garde approach with an inimitable style. Our technical prowess with a disruptive aesthetic. Our savoir-faire with an edge. An iconic revisited by an iconic brand,” described the watchmaker.

Only 100 pieces of this limited-edition wristwatch are up for grabs, retailing at US$6,700 at Saint Laurent Rive Droite stores in Paris and Los Angeles and via the online store.

[via Highsnobiety and Haute Time, images via Girard-Perregaux]