Japanese Artist Takashi Murakami Launches his Own Watch Brand, named Time Objects

Takashi Murakami is one of the most recognisable contemporary artists. His colourful smiling flowers, eccentric characters and references to Japanese popular culture have become instantly identifiable, appearing in galleries, museums and collaborations with some of the world’s most prominent fashion and luxury brands. Yet Murakami is not simply an artist lending his signature to commercial projects. He is also an entrepreneur who has built a significant creative business around his work. His latest venture is his own watch brand, named Time Objects, starting with the Skull Flowers Cylindrical Jumping Hours Tourbillon.

In 1996, Takashi Murakami established the Hiropon Factory in Tokyo, which later became Kaikai Kiki. The company produces and markets Murakami’s artworks and related creations, supports emerging artists, and operates across galleries, shops, animation and film. His artistic vision, often associated with the concept of Superflat, brings together traditional Japanese visual culture, manga, anime and contemporary consumer culture.

From Hublot to Time Objects

Watchmaking seemingly has been a long-standing interest. Murakami first entered the industry through his collaboration with Hublot, beginning with the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami All Black in 2021. The partnership developed through several subsequent creations, including colourful interpretations of his iconic flower motif. One very striking example was the 2023 Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow, with rotating gemstone petals.

Now, Murakami is taking the next step with Takashi Murakami Time Objects, dedicated to exploring the meaning of time through Swiss haute horlogerie. The guiding philosophy is called The Chronos Paradox, based on the dualities of existence: life and death, beauty and transience, and the relationship between an instant and eternity. Behold the inaugural creation, the Skull Flowers Cylindrical Jumping Hours Tourbillon.

The Skull as a Watch Case

According to Murakami, the team explored more than 600 skull shapes before arriving at the final design. The case is a sculpted Grade 5 titanium skull, constructed with 33 components. It measures about 44mm in diameter and 18.4mm in height. Murakami’s smiling flowers occupy the eye sockets. Their petals are mounted on a ball-bearing system and rotate with the wearer’s hand movement – and these have nothing to do with the display of the time, which happens on another facet of the watch. Flowers and skulls coexist as a celebration of life alongside an acknowledgement of mortality. Water resistance is 30m.

A Different Way to Read Time

The display is also quite unconventional. The time is read through a lateral aperture at six o’clock. The hours appear on a rotating cylinder, advancing instantly at the change of each hour. A trailing disc indicates the minutes. Being at 6 o’clock means that the time remains relatively easy to check once the watch is on the wrist, even though it differs from the conventional frontal display of the time.

Swiss Mechanics

The mechanics were entrusted to watch designer and engineer Marco Tedeschi, who joined Hublot in 2007, where he contributed to the development of its manufacture, including work on movements (one of his best-known projects was the Unico chronograph) and cases. Later, Tedeschi also worked as CEO of Romain Jérôme before founding Kross Studio in 2020. In 2026, Marco Tedeschi launched the eponymous watchmaking brand; Kross Studio continues as its collaborative base.

The new calibre KM 7012 TM has been developed exclusively for Murakami’s creation. The hand-wound movement comprises 409 components and 81 jewels, beats at 21,600 vibrations/hour and delivers a 125-hour power reserve. A tourbillon sits at 12 o’clock on the reverse side, visible through the sapphire caseback. The darkened plate is engraved with Murakami’s skull and flowers, and the tourbillon bridge is shaped like a flower – Murakami total.

Five Versions, Details and Prices

The watch is worn on a black rubber strap closed with a titanium folding clasp made in the shape of a skull. The Skull Flowers Cylindrical Jumping Hours Tourbillon is presented in five versions. Black Rainbow and All Black are each limited to 12 pieces, both priced at CHF 85,000 before taxes. Three gem-set variants are also offered, to be produced in very small series: Full Pavé Diamonds, with 744 diamonds totalling 9.3 carats, priced at CHF 148,000; Full Pavé Black Diamonds, also with 744 stones and 9.3 carats, at CHF 142,000; and Full Pavé Rainbow, set with 744 coloured stones, at CHF 140,000. For more, please contact [email protected].