Watchmaking & Art: IFLW x Venezianico L'Odalisca | VELOCE

In the often-traditional world of horology, true collaboration can feel like a rare celestial event. It requires a shared vision, a mutual respect for craft, and a willingness to create something that neither party could achieve alone. The latest release from Sweden’s IFL Watches and Italy’s Venezianico, the Redentore "L'Odalisca," is just such an event—a compelling fusion of accessible Italian watchmaking and bespoke, hand-painted artistry that brings a 19th-century masterpiece to the modern wrist.

Limited to just 200 pieces worldwide, this timepiece is more than just a watch; it's a conversation starter, a piece of wearable art, and a testament to the exciting possibilities emerging from the independent watch scene.

Explore the Collaboration

The Canvas: Venezianico and the Redentore

To understand the collaboration, one must first appreciate the canvas. Venezianico is a relatively young but ambitious Italian watchmaker with a story as romantic as its home city. Founded in 2017 by brothers Alberto and Alessandro Morelli, the company was born from a desire to encapsulate the spirit and architectural heritage of Venice. Initially launched as "Meccaniche Veneziane" through a successful Kickstarter campaign, the brand rebranded to Venezianico in 2022 to better reflect its deep-seated identity—a "Venetian way of being."

Each collection is a tribute to a piece of Venetian history. The Redentore line, used for this collaboration, is inspired by the clean, neoclassical lines of the Basilica del Redentore, a 16th-century church designed by the legendary architect Andrea Palladio. This collection is defined by its architectural simplicity and elegance, making it the perfect, uncluttered frame for a miniature artwork.

The Hardware

• Case: A versatile 40mm stainless steel case with a mix of brushed and polished surfaces. It measures 11mm thick with a 46.7mm lug-to-lug, ensuring comfortable wear on a variety of wrists.
• Crystal: A sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating protects the precious artwork on the dial, ensuring clarity from all angles.
• Movement: Powering the watch is the Seiko Caliber NH35A. This Japanese automatic movement is a renowned workhorse in the industry, valued for its reliability, 41-hour power reserve, hacking seconds, and manual winding capabilities. It's a smart choice that keeps the watch accessible without compromising on mechanical integrity.

The Artist's Touch: IFLW (IFL Watches)

If Venezianico provides the classical Italian canvas, IFLW brings the vibrant, artistic spirit. Based in a suburb of Stockholm, IFL Watches started in 2019 as a group of friends and watch lovers who wanted to inject more personality and creativity into the horological world. Their motto is to be "All but Vanilla," a philosophy they apply by transforming standard watches from brands like Casio, Citizen, and Oris into unique, hand-painted limited editions.

IFL Watches has carved a unique niche by treating the watch dial not as a mere component for telling time, but as a miniature canvas for artistic expression.

Their projects often draw from pop culture and colorful street art, but this collaboration sees their in-house artists tackle a more classical subject, demonstrating remarkable versatility. Each dial is painted by hand, meaning every single one of the 200 "L'Odalisca" pieces will have subtle variations, making it a true one-of-a-kind.

The Artwork: "L'Odalisca" and its Orientalist Roots

The dial of the watch is a reinterpretation of the 19th-century painting "Ladies of the Harem Bathing" by the Italian artist Hermann David Salomon Corrodi (1844-1905). Corrodi was a leading figure in the European Orientalism movement, known for his romantic and often imagined scenes of North Africa and the Middle East.

Historical Context

The Orientalist art movement of the 19th century saw European artists depict what they considered "exotic" Eastern cultures. These works were often more a reflection of European romantic visions and fantasies than historical realities. For centuries, Venice was Europe's primary bridge to the East, a hub of trade and cultural exchange. This collaboration taps into that historical lineage, reimagining a European vision of the Orient on a watch dial from a brand that embodies the Venetian spirit.

The artists at IFLW have focused on the central portion of Corrodi's painting, depicting serene female figures in a water garden surrounded by Moorish architecture and lush palms. The result is a dial that is both evocative and contemplative, a "meditation on light and silence" distilled to a miniature scale.

A Collaboration of Contrasts and Complements

The Venezianico Redentore "L'Odalisca" is a study in successful partnership. It brings together:

• Italian Design & Swedish Artistry: The structured elegance of Venezianico's design language provides the perfect foil for IFLW's free-form creativity.
• Classic Art & Modern Watchmaking: A 19th-century painting finds a new home on a contemporary timepiece, bridging centuries of aesthetic tradition.
• Accessibility & Exclusivity: By using a reliable Seiko movement in a well-finished case, the collaboration remains attainable, while the hand-painted, 200-piece limited run ensures its exclusivity.

This release is a welcome departure for IFLW from their more common modern art-inspired dials and a fantastic showcase for Venezianico, introducing the brand's thoughtful design to a new audience. It is a surprising and welcome release that proves when two passionate, independent brands come together, the result can be something truly special.