Swatch Art
Alfred Hofkunst Swatch: the Vegetable Set (1991)
A cucumber, a slice of bacon and a chili pepper on your wrist: Alfred Hofkunst's 1991 Swatches are some of the most playful Art Specials, and they were sold at vegetable markets.
- Year
- 1991
- Artist
- Alfred Hofkunst
- Brand
- Swatch
- Edition size
- 9,999 numbered pieces per model (auction catalog)
- Reference
- PWZ100, PWZ101, PWZ102
Alfred Hofkunst Swatch at a glance
In 1991 Swatch released three Pop Swatch Art Specials by the Swiss artist Alfred Hofkunst. Swatch says they were sold in vegetable markets in Switzerland, Austria and Italy and became a media sensation. Collectors call them the "Gemüse" or vegetable set.
The artist
Alfred Hofkunst (1942–2004) was known for trompe-l'oeil, pictures that trick the eye with very realistic everyday objects. Swatch notes that he "captures the art world's attention" with such depictions. For his watches he turned food into wearable objects, with humor in every detail, including the names.
Design and details
All three are Pop Swatches, the larger Swatch that clips into a wide strap. Each strap is shaped like a food:
- Guhrke (PWZ100): cucumber-shaped leather strap.
- Bonjuhr (PWZ101): bacon-shaped leather strap.
- Verduhra (PWZ102): red chili-shaped leather strap.
The names play on "Uhr", the German word for watch. Each dial carries the artist's facsimile signature. According to the auction catalog, the watches were sold individually in a transparent plastic bag.
Edition size and release
The Couton Jamault Hirn auction catalog describes each model as limited to 9,999 numbered pieces, with the number on the case back. They were sold at market stalls instead of watch shops, which is part of their legend.
Alfred Hofkunst Swatch on the secondary market
The leather straps are the weak point. Many were worn, cracked or lost, so an unworn watch with a clean, flexible strap is what collectors want. The original transparent bag adds to a piece, and a complete set of three is worth more than the sum of single pieces to many buyers. Hofkunst pieces were also part of the large Blum Swatch collection sold by Phillips de Pury in 2011.
How to check an Alfred Hofkunst Swatch
Check the reference (PWZ100 to PWZ102), the number on the back and the facsimile signature on the dial. Make sure the strap is the original food-shaped leather and matches the model name. Look for battery leakage. Our guide on how to spot a fake watch has more tips.
What is your Alfred Hofkunst Swatch worth?
Send us photos of the watch, strap, back and bag for a free watch value estimate. If you have the full set or a larger collection, a written appraisal documents each piece.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three Hofkunst Swatches called?
Guhrke (cucumber, PWZ100), Bonjuhr (bacon, PWZ101) and Verduhra (chili, PWZ102).
Where were the Hofkunst Swatches sold?
According to Swatch, at vegetable markets in Switzerland, Austria and Italy.
What packaging did they come in?
An auction catalog says each was sold in a transparent plastic bag, not a standard box.
Find out what your watch is worth
Upload a photo and get a free estimate in about a minute. No sign-up needed.