TIME AND SPACE: A new constellation, shaped by imagination
Time and Space is a mechanical timepiece developed through a collaboration between artist Oliver Jeffers and watchmaker Anicorn. Drawing on themes that frequently appear throughout Jeffers’ work, including time, memory, exploration, and the cosmos, the project translates these ideas into a wearable object through symbolism, storytelling, and handcrafted detailing.
At the center of the design is a dial conceived as a constellation. Rather than depicting celestial bodies, the composition is formed by four symbols representing milestones in human invention and collective progress. These miniature indexes reference fire, ideas, knowledge, and engineering through the imagery of a match, a lightbulb, a book, and a car.
Each symbol is individually hand-painted by artisans using a multi-stage process requiring more than two hours of work and twelve separate applications. Using micro brushes under magnification, layers are applied sequentially from base coating to final detailing, resulting in subtle variations between individual pieces. Together, the four symbols create a constellation shaped by human achievement rather than astronomy, positioning invention as a framework for measuring time.
Oliver Jeffers x Anicorn – Time And Space Watch | all images courtesy of Anicorn
OLIVER JEFFERS and ANICORN collaborate on a cosmic timepiece
The watch is presented in a hardcover book-style box designed using Oliver Jeffers’ visual language. Conceived as an extension of the project rather than a conventional package, the box contains the Time and Space mechanical watch, an individually numbered autograph by the artist produced using an eight-color overlapping print process, and a collection of original content created specifically for the collaboration with Anicorn.
Through the combination of horology, illustration, and narrative design, Time and Space explores the relationship between storytelling and timekeeping, translating themes from Jeffers’ artistic practice into a physical object and accompanying publication.
the watch featuring a hand-drawn celestial dial inspired by Jeffers’ visual universe
wrist shot of the Anicorn x Oliver Jeffers Time and Space watch with a rose-gold tone case and navy leather strap
miniature dial elements, including books, cars, light bulbs, and matches, prepared for the Time and Space watch face
a miniature car element from the watch dial, shown at fingertip scale to highlight its handcrafted detail
assembly detail of the Time and Space dial, with miniature elements placed onto the celestial watch face
macro view of the dial, showing the match, constellation artwork, and engraved Oliver Jeffers bezel
four miniature indexes replace conventional celestial references
caseback view of the watch, revealing the automatic movement and engraved collaboration details
close-up of the crown, finished with an eight-pointed star that echoes the watch’s cosmic theme
the original ‘Time and Space’ artwork shown alongside the finished watch
Oliver Jeffers holding the original ‘Time and Space’ artwork created for the Anicorn collaboration
Oliver Jeffers working inside his studio, surrounded by tools, paints, and sketches