Traditional Hawaiian Tattoo Artist Keone Nunes Collaborates With Timex

Today, on the 60^th anniversary of Hawaii's statehood, Timex introduces its latest collaboration: Timex x Keone Nunes. This collection includes four timepieces designed in partnership with Keone Nunes himself, a master of the traditional Hawaiian tattoo technique called uhi.

(Image credit: Dan Noguchi)

Bringing together the craft of watchmaking with centuries-old tattoo designs, the Timex x Keone Nunes collection draws its inspiration from Polynesian symbols representing family, courage and safe travels in the journey of life.

(Image credit: The Culture Trip)

€œThis partnership with Keone is special because it combines our passions for heritage and tradition to create something that's as beautiful as it is meaningful,€ said Giorgio Galli, Timex's Design Director. €œTogether, we designed a collection that pays tribute to our backgrounds and demonstrates our shared artistry, values and cultures to the world.€

Using the classic Timex® Scout field watch as a starting point, Keone infused traditional Hawaiian tattooing and Polynesian culture across four unique timepiece designs. Every Timex x Keone Nunes watch includes the koa'e €˜ula design on its dial. Usually referred to as a red-tailed tropicbird, the koa'e €˜ula is a symbol associated with safe travels.

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Honored to be able to do the work and humbled to have been asked to collaborate with a timeless company like Timex on a watch, I know, I know I couldn't help being a little puny. Truly honored though, when first approach I was truly hesitant as there are much more well known people who do the work than myself. I hope the simple, understated designs will be looked at as a tribute to all my teachers who have given everything that has made me who I am, for without their continued guidance I would be nothing. Everything I do is to honor them, the people I care for and the cultures I represent. Timex has always honored the general public and I am proud to be associated with this historic company. Keep tuned.... #pāuhi #ourworkspeaksforitself #unappologetic #timex

A post shared by Sulu'ape Keone Nunes (@suluape_keone) on Jun 4, 2019 at 10:54am PDT

As additional nods to Polynesian symbolism, triangular nihoniho patterns and ihe spears are highlighted throughout the collection. Representing protection and guidance, the nihoniho pattern is debossed on either a black leather strap paired with a black dial or brown leather strap paired with a navy-blue dial. The two remaining timepieces in the collection have ihe spears debossed on a black leather strap paired with a gray dial or a tan leather strap with a black dial. Ihe spears are found in many traditional Polynesian tattoos symbolizing protection and courage.

€œHawaiian tattoo artistry is a practice you approach with intention, since it has the power to transport you back to the root of our heritage,€ said Nunes. €œThe traditional symbols represented in the Timex x Keone Nunes collection were intentionally selected to connect wearers to their roots for generations to come.€

The Timex x Keone Nunes collection is available for purchase on Timex.com, at the Timex flagship store in Tokyo and at select global retailers for $109.