In August 1997, my aunt, who was really more of a big sister, went to Europe. it was the first time anyone in my family had done the Euro thing; she was in her late 20s and it was all very exciting.

I remember the date vividly because she left Australia the day Princess Diana was killed. She was going for 6 weeks, and to me, aged 13, it felt like it would be a lifetime.

But my sadness at missing her was quickly replaced by the prospect of exotic presents from a foreign land. I imagined fabulous and pretty things from Paris and little luxuries from London. 6 weeks couldn’t go fast enough.

We received Cadbury buttons that were not available in Australia. I got earrings that were mismatched – one gold sun and one gold moon. (Not sure I understood at the time why they didn’t match but they were pretty.) Parfum solids from Paris were so grown up, but it was my younger brothers Swiss made Flik Flak watch that I lusted after.

14 years later, I still have that watch. A blue and yellow animated timepiece that I treasure, even though it stopped ticking years ago. I really should replace the battery,

Or perhaps I should upgrade my tastes to something a bit more grown up. The Swiss do wonderful things with watches (and chocolate) and the never-ending love story between SWATCH and Art has inspired famed British fashion photographer Rankin to create eight new watches.

L – R The Limited Edition box set; The three individual (unlimited) styles

Five of these timepieces are presented in the form of a set in their own special packaging, available in a limited and numbered edition of 777 pieces. There are three additional styles sold separately in unlimited editions.

London-based photographer and director Rankin is a very talented man. His work includes portraits of celebrities and he has earned a reputation for creative portraiture, regularly showing in galleries around the world, as well as on billboards and magazine covers. As a director, he has shot music videos for top-selling artists and commercials for global brands.

He isn’t bad to look at either.

www.swatch.com for other SWATCH and Art collaborations.