A Fusion of Art and Time: Ryoko Kaneta Collaborates with Franck Muller for the Year of the Dragon

"This year, the esteemed luxury watchmaker Franck Muller unveils a standout piece: a remarkable collaboration with Japanese artist Ryoko Kaneta in celebration of the Year of the Dragon. The Cintrée Curvex Ryoko Kaneta Dragon Limited Edition is distinguished by its unique dial design and vibrant colours, infusing energy and excitement into every exquisite ensemble. In an exclusive interview with #legend_th, we had the pleasure of speaking with the creative mind behind this captivating design during her participation in an exhibition highlighting her dynamic collaboration with Franck Muller in Bangkok. Kaneta’s artistry injects a fresh perspective into the timeless elegance of Franck Muller."

Could you tell us how your cooperation with Franck Muller came about?

RK: I must go back to November 2023, when I held an exhibition in Singapore that featured a variety of marine and ocean-related pieces, including some of my dragon-themed works from 2022. A representative from Franck Muller visited the exhibition and expressed deep appreciation for my work, particularly the dragon-themed pieces. At the time, Franck Muller was working on a project to produce a unique zodiac design. Ultimately, the company chose me as the artist for this collaboration.

Did it take a long time to put this amazing design together?

RK: It took approximately seven months to work on this project. I pitched various concepts to the brand. In addition to designing the watch, I also had to create animations, graphics, and posters for use in other promotional materials. I spent the first two months of this project harmonising and blending elements of my own identity with Franck Muller's distinctive design to create an exceptional timepiece.

What were the challenges of working with Franck Muller?

RK: It was also challenging for me because Franck Muller is a well-known brand with a distinct personality, particularly in watch design. The shape of Franck Muller's watch casing made it difficult to incorporate the main elements of my work. I aimed to preserve the case's iconic shape while bearing in mind that the brand was likely seeking something fresh for this special design. I adopted a presentation approach inspired by Japanese manga and anime, as it perfectly aligns with my artistic vision and the way I convey my work, blending it with the brand's classic design to create something truly unique.

For this design, I chose blue as the main colour because it symbolises both the sky and the water. According to Japanese tradition, dragons reside in the water before ascending to the sky to hide behind clouds. As a result, the watch dial features numbers that resemble clouds, evoking the sky and the dragon hidden behind them. Moreover, seeing a dragon in the sky is believed to bring good fortune.

What sort of watch would you design for Franck Muller if you had the freedom to create anything?

RK: If I could create anything, I would draw on previous works that personify inanimate objects into characters, such as this one in which I turned a dragon into a character. Furthermore, my previous works have explored the progression of time from morning to night. I'd like to design a watch with a moon phase, employing a design of the sun and moon on the watch, adopting natural shapes, and personificating them as characters on the watch's dial. 

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