The Living Art of the Aballe Horologium Spinale Silver Watch Bracelet
We are all familiar with the concept of a grail piece. That seemingly unobtainable watch that sits saved in our search history, popping up across multiple “For You Pages” because they are always listening, taunting you as a reminder of your horological shortcomings. Well, what happens when you achieve the unthinkable? What happens when you finally have that grail watch? At some point, after swiping the watch from your nightstand and mindlessly throwing it on as you do every day, you are going to find yourself in a room with someone else who has that same quest. Yes, your watch is your watch, and each scratch is yours, and the two watches may have completely different stories. However, for production pieces, the reality is that at some point, it may not feel as unique and exciting as it did back when it sat behind Gorilla Glass. Watch modification comes into play for those special circumstances to set you apart from the select crowd.
That is where this story takes shape. Though, to be fair to the process, it had been in the works for a good while before that, living in the recesses of the artist’s brain. Milestone watches are very real for many people, especially in the financial sector. A signal of status and success, they can help signal trust to a new client while placing you on a tier list of your peers. Think business cards in American Psycho. For many at the higher tier, the Patek Philippe Nautilus acts as a trophy, as it did for Onchain Lifestyle creator GMoney. That is not to diminish the appreciation for the technical aspects of each watch nor the artistic craftsmanship, but simply that the Nautilus is a statement piece reserved for the select few. So there he was, Patek on the wrist, when he noticed others in his circle also had Nautilus references.
As luck would have it, GMoney would eventually have the first of many meetings to discuss potential collaborative projects with well-known tattoo and fine arts creator Julius Margulies, operating under the moniker Snuffy. Known for turning deeply personal stories into works of art on the body and in galleries, Julius took in G’s desire for his watch to stand out further, and as luck would have it, he had just the project to do so. Julius had wanted to integrate a spinal structure into a wearable piece of art crafted to fit particular watch references. This bracelet would blend his two artistic worlds to make an edgy wearable that ages with you (similar to his tattooing), and that can still be passed down through generations (much like his fine art). It would also be a way to honor his growing connection to his father.
Julius has had this idea growing for quite some time, seeded during his childhood. The son of a prominent spinal surgeon, he had grown up surrounded by images and models of the spine and surgical tools, which he still keeps in his working environment (Editor’s note: check out the gallery below for a look at some of these objects and art pieces on display in Snuffy’s studio). While his artistic eye and techniques may have been influenced by his mother, Pessi Margulies, Julius views the Aballe Horologium Spinale bracelet as a tribute to his father and their strengthening relationship. From the form of the piece to the box it comes in, everything draws from the operating room brought to life while diving into the concept of passing time.
Cast in raw .925 sterling silver, the meticulously crafted bracelet resembles an articulated vertebrate structure terminating at a butterfly spring clasp. In his fine art, Julius often utilizes the casting process, blending materials and texture into larger bodies of work. Here, a similar process is used to craft the individual vertebrate, though in a smaller and more intricate way. Each piece then undergoes a delicate finishing process to soften its rough edges, ensure proper connection and articulation, and guarantee a comfortable fit to the wrist snug to the watch case lugs. Every bracelet is created to the owner’s wrist size and the unique vintage watch’s lug geometry, taking time to ensure it is ready to wear out of the surgical toolbox. It arrives clean and lustrous, waiting to take on the stories you experience with it.
A roll of the wrist lets light pour through its ridges, filling in its crevices that will eventually tarnish with time. As its edges rub against the hand and other surfaces, its prominent points will begin to polish, creating a deep contrast with aged character. It is a visual reminder of our passing, if not fleeting, time left on earth. As we age with the bracelet, it continues to tell our story, while the watch counts down the final moments. But, unlike ourselves, the Horologium Spinale spinal watch bracelet will live on with the watch, keeping time for the next generation. It is the culmination of generations of history and experiences fused into a wearable that begins to tell your own story from the moment you put it on.
At the time of writing, the bracelet appeared on a handful of vintage Rolex Datejust models, including those in the pictures you see here. Julius originally intended to limit the references to just three selected vintage Datejusts, but has since expanded possible pairings. The idea is to keep the collection unique and in line with the project’s vibe while sharing some of the process with its eventual owner. A peek behind the curtain while in his loft revealed some pretty exciting and well-known references being sourced for particular clients. Much like his tattooing process in using your personal story to create the piece, there is an opportunity for collaboration.
Currently, Snuffy and GMoney are taking applications for the piece through their website. Each piece is bespoke, fitted to a vintage watch reference which they can help you source. Currently, their production schedule takes roughly 4-8 weeks, including personalization and final preparations. Each piece comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from kettle.fi for the vintage watch reference. When paired with a vintage Rolex Datejust similar to the ones we photographed, the price will be around $17,500, though it may change depending on the watch.
This project has faced criticism in the watch enthusiast world, viewed as an expensive modification to a classic watch. However, I challenge everyone to look at the project as a whole. As we know all too well with watches, the project and price are always worth more than the sum of their parts. We also realize that we all have personal preferences that lead us into other corners of enthusiasm. While I can appreciate a vintage watch that is never polished or adulterated, I have also vocalized my love for properly gem-encrusted watches as loud, fun statement pieces. They are emotional purchases meant to evoke a personal feeling while projecting a bit of your personality into the room, much like a tattoo. I can not wait to spot one in the wild, blackened with age and weather, peaking out from behind the cuff of someone I know has a few stories to share.
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