The collection
Two plastic wraparound wristwatches, one in pink, one in green, with matching-colored faces and metal hands.
2011

Two Watches, Neko

Designed by
Kazuyo Sejima (born 1956), Ryue Nishizawa (born 1966)
Material
Polyurethane, acrylic, chromium-plated steel
Produced by
SANAA, Tokyo, Japan
Dimensions
6.5 x 3.5 x 7.5 cm

The Liliane and David M. Stewart Program for Modern Design, 2011.40

SANAA, a partnership of two Tokyo architects, is known for its cutting-edge contemporary buildings, such as the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York. These watches, called Neko for the cat ears flanking their faces and the band giving the impression of two front legs below, were made in a range of vibrant colors—pink, green, brown, yellow and black.

The flexible polyurethane strap wraps around the wrist without a fastener. The Italian manufacturer Alessi, known for its avant-garde designs, has long looked to prominent architects for their everyday products. Watches by distinguished architects were part of their offerings until 2018.

The Stewart Program for Modern Design, photo: Denis Farley.