How did Stampd and Swiss Signatures come up with the idea to collaborate for the Datejust Rolex watch?  Do you feel there are any overlapping principles you share with Swiss Signature?

I was introduced to the owner of Swiss Signatures through Dan Regan, a good friend of mine, regarding a special edition custom Rolex. They were planning on doing an artist/designer edition, and chose to launch with Stampd. From the initial meeting I expressed my main concern that the watch maintained its timeless aesthetic, I was looking to create a piece that would still be relevant 15, even 20 years from now. Both were on board with my vision from the beginning and helped my idea come to fruition.

"Swiss Signatures partners with tomorrow's leaders across fashion, art and design, offering a Rolex watch as the canvas for creative expression.  We seek out alliances with beautiful, quality labels to collaborate on custom Rolex art pieces.  Chris Stamp of Stampd was an obvious choice; he's an influencer that has created a niche within style that shows you don't have to follow the patterns of fashion to be successful.  By keeping all items limited - editions, and until recently available only online, Stampd has created a unique demand for his products across opinion-leading cities worldwide, never compromising quality and integrity in his approach to design and production.  The Stampd Datejust Rolex is stylish, classic timepiece and the first in a series of collectable pieces". –Dan Regan 

Rolex has been making watches and pushing boundaries since the early 20^th century. Some would argue that once you start tampering with a Rolex, it is no longer an authentic Rolex watch.  What would you say to these critics?

I definitely appreciate the classic Rolex aesthetic, however I feel like our audience wanted something more. A piece that breathes quality and pushes the envelope tastefully. The intention was never to take anything away from Rolex (all the mechanical components are 100% authentic Rolex), only to add through relevant direction. 

Do you feel this watch is something that can be appreciated by both an older generation of Rolex owners and by members of the unique urban culture that Stampd has helped spearhead?

I feel as if the older generation is all about simplicity and quality, and with this watch we are providing you with both of these things. Beyond that, we have included those unexpected details for the audience that already appreciates our aesthetic.  

The canvas for this collaboration is a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Watch. How have you made this long withstanding classic both modern and urban without undermining its trusted aesthetic?

By keeping the piece tonal, less is more.

Tell us about the look of the watch itself. Why did you choose a monochromatic American Flag for the watch face?

The overall goal was to keep it subtle, with unexpected details, from the white fluted bezel, to the engraved inner bezel. The monochromatic American Flags are something we have touched on throughout the past few seasons and want to continue with. The removal of the numbers and notches around the dial create the perfect blank canvas for the stars and stripes.

Around the inside of the bezel are the words, “Time and I Against Any Two” and “Made to Make it.” Who are these quotes by and why do they resonate with you?

To me, confidence within your direction is vital as a designer; both of these quotes exude that. My team and I came across the Baltasar Gracian “Time and I Against Any Two” quote and it seemed more than fitting for the piece. “Made to Make It” falls under the same idea and is something we’ve accented on a few pre-existing pieces. The two seemed to sit well together.  

The Stampd LA Datejust Rolex is described as an art piece. How did you come to the decision of producing only ten limited edition watches?  Do you feel this decision played a large role in the direction of the watch’s design and production? 

I consider most items we make art pieces, everything is produced in very limited quantities. For an item of this degree I wanted to make sure that whomever has the chance to purchase one feels like they are getting a limited edition piece of art.

What’s next for Stampd and Swiss Signatures? Any future collaboration we should be looking forward to? 

We’ve got gold on our minds…

Enjoy the images of friends and family, supporting Chris Stamp and his first Rolex collaboration launch party at American Rag CIE and Palihouse in Los Angeles.

Stampd Studios Photos: Tyler William Parker

American Rag & Palihouse Photos: Quinn Ashly

Produced & Compiled: Hailey Hamilton