2025.8.23

The watches that supported great creators such as Andy Warhol and Le Corbusier

Great creators who have produced creations that will go down in history have always carried a watch that will transcend time and be loved.

text: Yuriko Kobayashi / cooperation: Norio Takagi

Creators

Miles Davis (trumpeter)

Pablo Picasso (painter)

Paul Newman (Actor)

Le Corbusier (architect)

Andy Warhol (artist)

Miles Davis (trumpeter)

The history of the "King of Jazz" as told through his watch designs

Miles Davis changed his costumes as his musical style evolved, and his watches, including Jaeger-LeCoultre and Rolex, also changed with each change. The photo shows him performing at the Salle Pleyel in Paris in 1969. He is wearing a Breitling Navitimer (Ref. 806).

When wearing a shirt, he would sometimes add his own unique touches, such as replacing the strap with a leather wristband, a look that was typical of Miles, who sought to present himself perfectly.

Trumpeter Miles Davis — Born in the United States in 1926. After playing in Charlie Parker's band, he became a leading figure in the jazz world, becoming a central creator of most modern jazz styles, including cool jazz, hard bop, and modal jazz. He died in 1991.

©Roger-Viollet/Aflo

Pablo Picasso (painter)

Self-produced with trademark watches

Pablo Picasso is said to be the "world's most prolific artist," having left behind approximately 150,000 works. His style changed significantly throughout his life, but it is said that he was able to stay at the forefront of his time thanks to his ability to self-produce.

He always had a photographer by his side to record his life, and many portraits remain. For a long time, he wore a Jaeger-LeCoultre triple calendar watch. Perhaps his trademark watch was also part of his strategy.

Painter Pablo Picasso — Born in Spain in 1881. Known as "the greatest painter of the 20th century," he is known for his works such as "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon," which promoted Cubism, and "Guernica," which he painted in response to the Spanish Civil War. He contributed to a wide range of visual arts, including sculpture and ceramics. He died in 1973.

©ullstein bild Dtl./Getty Images

Paul Newman (Actor)

A great actor who supported his racing career, his lifelong "partner"

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, commonly known as the "Paul Newman Daytona," was named after Paul Newman, who was a fan of the watch.

Newman, who received this watch as a gift from his wife during the filming of the movie "Driving," subsequently became interested in motorsports and made his debut as a professional racer. The Cosmograph Daytona, equipped with a tachymeter to measure average speed, became his lifelong companion as he wore two hats as both a racer and an actor.

Actor Paul Newman — Born in the United States in 1925. Starred in numerous films, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Hustler 2. He was also active as a professional racer, coming in second overall in the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans. He passed away in 2008.

©mptvimages/Aflo

Le Corbusier (architect)

A path of design and architecture that began with clock decoration

Le Corbusier was born in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the heart of the Swiss watch industry, to a father who was a watch decorator and a mother who was a music teacher.

At the age of 13, he entered art school and followed in his father's footsteps, studying watch decoration. He received high praise, winning prizes at exhibitions, but his severely impaired eyesight forced him to abandon his dream of becoming a watchmaker. His teacher, Leplatonnier, discovered his talent for architecture, and he embarked on a life as an architect. The photo is from 1953. On his wrist is a watch that appears to be a Longines.

Architect Le Corbusier — Born in Switzerland in 1887. His works include Villa Savoye, the National Museum of Western Art, and the Chapel of Ronchamp. He is considered one of the three great masters of modern architecture, along with Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe. He died in 1965.

©Edward Quinn Archive/Aflo

Andy Warhol (artist)

The pop art giant wore a watch that didn't tick

Andy Warhol always had a Cartier Tank on his left wrist. His favorite was the 18K yellow gold Tank Louis Cartier.

Combining a minimalist form that pursues functional beauty with an elegant appearance, this watch was more than just a tool for measuring time for Warhol. This is evident from the anecdote that he wore the watch while it was stopped. For Warhol, the Tank was a timepiece that served as both fashion and art.