Swatch Art
Arnaldo Pomodoro Swatch: Rotor (1997)
Rotor is not a plastic Swatch. The Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro made it the first stainless-steel Art Special, in 700 numbered pieces.
- Year
- 1997
- Artist
- Arnaldo Pomodoro
- Brand
- Swatch
- Edition size
- 700 numbered pieces
Arnaldo Pomodoro Swatch at a glance
Rotor is a 1997 Swatch Art Special by Arnaldo Pomodoro. Swatch calls it "the first Art Special in stainless steel". According to the Fondazione Arnaldo Pomodoro, it was presented on April 17, 1997 at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York and on April 22 at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice.
The artist
Arnaldo Pomodoro was one of Italy's most important sculptors, famous for his large bronze spheres that break open to show complex inner structures. His work stands in public squares and museums around the world. On Rotor, his sculptural relief language is reduced to wrist size.
Design and details
- Stainless-steel case, a first for a Swatch Art Special.
- Embossed, flexible metal strap.
- Numbered and signed on the back.
- Delivered in a metal box made for Swatch.
The foundation lists the watch in the applied arts section of Pomodoro's online catalogue raisonné as V/97/3.
Edition size and release
The Fondazione Arnaldo Pomodoro states an edition of 700 pieces, each numbered and signed. The launch at two Guggenheim museums shows how seriously Swatch took the project.
Arnaldo Pomodoro Swatch on the secondary market
Because Rotor is small in number, numbered and signed, made of steel and listed in the artist's catalogue raisonné, it sits apart from most plastic Swatches. Collectors look for the metal box, a clear number on the back and a strap without dents or stretched links. Watches with a documented history, such as a purchase from the foundation, are easiest to sell.
How to check an Arnaldo Pomodoro Swatch
Check the number out of 700 and the signature on the back. Make sure the case and strap are steel with the embossed relief pattern, and that the metal box is present. Compare details with the foundation's photos. For general tips, see our guide on how to spot a fake watch.
What is your Arnaldo Pomodoro Swatch worth?
Photograph the watch, the back with number and signature, and the box, then try our free watch value estimate. For insurance or a sale, a written appraisal records the piece and its value.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Pomodoro Rotor Swatch made of plastic?
No. Swatch calls it the first Art Special in stainless steel, with a metal strap.
How many Rotor watches were made?
According to the Fondazione Arnaldo Pomodoro, 700 pieces, each numbered and signed on the back.
What packaging did Rotor come in?
A metal box made for Swatch.
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