Time to Watches brings a fitting paradox to Geneva this year – the Exaequo Melting Watch returns in Classico form, now Swiss Made and carrying an official long-term partnership with Fundació Gala – Salvador Dalí. The Master’s signature sits on the dial, a neat handshake between Surrealism and contemporary watchmaking.
Seven references make up the collection: four in stainless steel and three in yellow gold PVD. The elongated, gently pinched case keeps its recognizable proportions at roughly 47 x 28 mm, with a rounded crown tucked into the organic profile. Water resistance is 30 m, the caseback is fixed by four screws, and inside beats the Swiss Made Ronda 751 quartz. Honest, serviceable, and chosen here to let the design do the shouting.
The two-level dial under a domed plexiglass lens heightens the sense of liquidity – numerals seem to slide, as if time were softening at the edges. Roman or Arabic layouts are offered. Roman versions come in hues tied to Dalí – petrol green North Sea, salmon, rose gold tones – with matching metal bracelets available. Each is limited to 329 pieces, save the rose gold metallic dial at 888 pieces, a nod to Soft Watch Exploding in 888 Particles.
Arabic models follow the same logic. There is a steel piece with a white dial and rainbow numerals, also in 329 pieces, and a gold case with a white dial and black central subdial, supplied on leather straps in white or black, with an optional yellow gold PVD bracelet, again limited to 329.
Straps span genuine leather, aged denim with tone-on-tone stitching, and bracelets in steel or yellow gold PVD, all closed by engraved pin buckles. The plexiglass choice feels apt – warmer reflections than sapphire, a little dreamlike glow to suit the brief.
What matters here is intention. Exaequo does not pretend this is a complication showcase. It is a faithful, licensed riff on The Persistence of Memory, rendered with Swiss production, tidy casework, and playful dials that carry their reference lightly. If you want a chronometric sermon, look elsewhere. If you want a smile each time the numerals seem to slip, you may have found your accomplice.
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