Skull symbols, memento mori, and the skull and cross bones are all the rage in watchmaking circles at the moment. Many a top Swiss brand is being lured by the mystery of the skull symbol as it has now come to represent youthful rebelliousness and cool.
The human brain cannot separate the image of the human skull from the familiar human face. Because of this, both the death and the now past life of the skull are symbolised. The Perrelet Turbine Toxic models flirts with such familiarity by displaying the skull symbol in between the many blades of two Special Editions of the double-rotor watch.
A universally adopted logo intended to signal the presence of toxic substances, the skull appeared in classical art as a symbol of the past, before coming to symbolise piracy in the 18th century, and then certain well-known motorbike fans in the 1950s. It has now lost its taboo connotations to become a symbol of freedom that has spread throughout all echelons of the fashion world.
Beneath the optical effect created by the 12-blade wheel rotating across the Turbine Toxic models, the human skull appears in a truly luxurious almost Damien Hirst ‘For the Love Of God’ style interpretation.
The men’s version is set with 210 diamonds (0.82 cts) and the ladies’ variation with 155 diamonds (0.59 cts). The skulls sing out against against an all-black background spread across the cases, dials and straps.
Choose between the bold Turbine Toxic XL model measuring 50mm in diameter; a DLC-treated steel watch on a rubber strap, and or the 41 mm Turbine Toxic XS in DLC-treated steel on a rubber or satin strap.
