Rare George Condo Watch to be Auctioned at amfAR Gala Cannes

A Historic First: George Condo’s Debut Timepiece

For the 32nd edition of amfAR Gala Cannes, a benefit event that raises critical funds for the organization’s lifesaving research, celebrated American artist George Condo has generously donated an extraordinary and historic auction lot: the first watch he has ever created. Developed in collaboration with one of Switzerland’s premier watchmakers, this bespoke timepiece is the inaugural piece in a limited series of five within the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection.

“I was approached by Audemars Piguet to create a unique watch that would celebrate the 40-year anniversary of the painting I created in 1984 called The Cloudmaker,” said George Condo. “The watch itself was meticulously crafted in such a way that it would become a museum piece. The watch is one of the most exquisite works of art that exists on the planet, and not because it’s of my painting, but because of the precision in the craftsmanship, adding jewels to the letters of my name just as I did in the painting, clouds in white gold with planets, and turquoise showing each side of the globe. I’m very proud of the collaboration that was created in Le Brassus and very happy that I was able to immortalize a painting into an object.”

Part of an extremely limited series of five bespoke timepieces, the 41 mm 18-carat white gold case is accented with a black bezel and paired with a striking black aventurine dial. The dial is dominated by the iconic “C O N D O” motif, in which each letter forms a miniature work of art executed using a different métier d’art: hand engraving, snow and gemstone setting, enameling and hand painting. Colors directly reflect the palette of three original paintings created by George Condo in 1984.

Its composition is further enriched by microblasted white gold clouds with polished engravings, a polished pink gold shooting star, and special twisted hands in 18-carat pink gold, adding depth and a poetic dimension to the dial.

The watch is powered by the manufacture selfwinding Calibre 2968 with flying tourbillon, visible through the sapphire caseback and adorned with Haute Horlogerie finishes in keeping with the standards of the Le Brassus Manufacture.

Other features include a caseback engraved with the artist’s signature and the individual numbering and a black “Epi” calfskin strap along with two additional interchangeable straps in matching tones.

Accompanying the watch is a presentation box specially designed and personalized by Audemars Piguet—crafted from wood featuring a green-tinted Swiss fir veneer with an interior lined with red micro-fiber that includes a dedicated compartment to house an additional strap. It is further enhanced by an interior marking bearing the individual numbering of the watch, reinforcing the unique nature of the ensemble.

A printed reproduction of Condo’s iconic painting The Cloudmaker also distinguishes the interior of the box.

The work of George Condo is becoming a welcome mainstay of amfAR gala auctions. At last year’s amfAR Gala Cannes, Condo’s Smiling Goddess, a one-of-a-kind artwork generously created especially for the event, brought in $1.26 million. Condo also created a piece exclusively for amfAR Palm Beach 2023. And in 2020, when COVID-19 became a global health priority, one of Condo’s works was donated to amfAR’s fundraiser to support research to address this new epidemic.

“amfAR is thrilled this special Audemars Piguet timepiece, which pays tribute to one of our longtime supporters, George Condo, will be up for bid in our live auction at Cannes,” said amfAR CEO Kyle Clifford. “We are profoundly grateful that the funds raised from this lot will help us in our work to end AIDS and improve global health.”

For more information, please contact auction@amfar.org. Absentee bids can be placed by clicking here.