Swatch Art
Kiki Picasso Swatch (1985)
The Kiki Picasso Swatch is where Swatch Art began. It was a tiny edition handed out to guests in Paris, and it is still the most talked-about Swatch of all.
- Year
- 1985
- Artist
- Kiki Picasso (Christian Chapiron)
- Brand
- Swatch
- Edition size
- 120 pieces according to Swatch (some sources say 140)
Kiki Picasso Swatch at a glance
In 1985 Swatch released its very first Art Special, designed by the French artist Kiki Picasso. Swatch itself calls it "our very first Swatch Art Special" and gives the edition as 120 pieces. The watch was never a normal shop item. According to the Finarte auction catalog, the pieces were given to guests at an IRCAM reception at the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
The artist
Kiki Picasso is the pseudonym of the French painter and graphic artist Christian Chapiron. He is not related to Pablo Picasso. Finarte describes him as the first artist to sign a Swatch. His loud, graphic style fit the young plastic watch brand very well, and his piece opened the door for Keith Haring, Folon, Paladino and many others.
Design and details
- Standard Swatch plastic case with quartz movement.
- According to Finarte, the watch exists in five colourways.
- The strap carries the artist's signature.
- The case is the original 1983 type, with no numbers or codes on the back. The piece offered by Finarte was numbered 82 of 120.
Edition size and release
Swatch and Finarte both give 120 pieces. Guinness World Records speaks of "one of only 140 made", so you will see both numbers. Either way, it is one of the smallest Swatch editions ever. The watches were distributed, not sold in stores.
Kiki Picasso Swatch on the secondary market
This is the Swatch with the record. Guinness World Records lists a Kiki Picasso Swatch sold at Sotheby's in Milan in 1989 for $45,000 as the most expensive Swatch sold at auction. In the Antiquorum online Swatch sale of November 2001, a Kiki Picasso from 1985 was the top lot at SFr. 10,350 including premium. Collectors look for a complete, unworn piece, the signed strap, documented provenance and the numbering.
How to check a Kiki Picasso Swatch
Because the watch is so rare, most "Kiki Picasso" pieces offered online are not the 1985 edition. Later Swatches and lookalike designs exist. Check that the case back type matches an early 1983-style case, that the strap signature is present, and that the numbering and provenance can be traced. Ask for photos of every detail and, for a piece of this level, an expert opinion before you buy or sell. Our guide on how to spot a fake watch explains the basics.
What is your Kiki Picasso Swatch worth?
If you think you own one, do not clean or wear it. Take clear photos of the dial, strap, back and any papers, and use our free watch value estimate for a first idea. For insurance, an estate or a sale, a written appraisal gives you a document you can rely on.
Frequently asked questions
How many Kiki Picasso Swatches were made?
Swatch gives the edition as 120 pieces. Guinness World Records mentions 140. Both figures put it among the rarest Swatches.
Was the Kiki Picasso Swatch sold in shops?
No. According to the Finarte auction catalog, the pieces were given to guests at a reception at the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
What is the highest price paid for a Kiki Picasso Swatch?
Guinness World Records lists a sale at Sotheby's in Milan in 1989 for $45,000, the record for a Swatch at auction.
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