Swiss watchmaker Rado has unveiled a collection of vibrant timepieces inspired by the renowned architect Le Corbusier’s color palette. The True Square Thinline Les Couleurs Le Corbusier consists of three limited-edition watches, crafted from ceramic and sapphire crystal, each embracing a distinct, striking color scheme.
One of the watches exudes a sleek all-black design, while the other two feature captivating combinations of colors. The first pairs a rich grey-brown with a soothing cream-white, while the second two-tone watch blends iron-grey with a subtly muted English green hue, according to the brand.
The selection of colors draws from Le Corbusier’s Architectural Polychromy color theory, a palette of 63 shades he described as “architectural, naturally harmonious, and combinable in every way.” This theory, created in 1931 and expanded in 1959, played a pivotal role in the world of architecture.
Rado’s CEO, Adrian Bosshard, emphasized the importance of shape and color in both Le Corbusier’s architectural vision and Rado’s design philosophy. “Le Corbusier made a significant contribution to making shape and color an essential element of architecture,” Bosshard noted, adding that shape and color are equally vital in design, as Rado aims to showcase with this collection.
While the all-black timepiece pays homage to Rado’s history as a pioneer in ceramic watchmaking, the two-tone versions highlight the versatility of Le Corbusier’s color system. “The two two-tone products illustrate that in Le Corbusier’s color system, all colors can be combined,” explained Bosshard.
Each watch is part of a limited edition of 999 and was created in collaboration with Le Couleurs Suisse, which licenses Le Corbusier’s colors for the Le Corbusier Foundation. The timepieces proudly display Le Corbusier’s signature Polychromie Architecturale and “Limited Edition one of 999” on the sapphire crystal.
The launch event for these watches took place at the Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine in Paris, where visitors had the opportunity to view a life-sized model of an apartment from Le Corbusier’s iconic Unite d’Habitation in Marseille, showcasing the vibrant colors from his Architectural Polychromy palette.
In addition to the True Square Thinline Les Couleurs Le Corbusier collection, Rado introduced a collectors’ box featuring the black True Square Thinline Les Couleurs Le Corbusier watch and eight round Thinline Les Couleurs Le Corbusier watches from the existing collection.
Rado continues its tradition of celebrating renowned architects with unique and inspired timepieces, offering a fusion of art and horology.
