Fiona Krüger knows how to make an entrance. When it came to launching her eponymous watch brand, she certainly didn’t play it safe. Instead, the independent watchmaker launched her first watch with a face in the shape of a skull. Certainly the most literal interpretation of a ‘skeleton dial’ yet.

Her debut release was initially inspired by a skull-shaped pocket watch worn by Mary, Queen of Scots in the 17th century. Having spent the best part of six years living in Mexico, the Scottish designer also drew on her fascination for Dia de Los Muertos – the Day of the Dead – and worked this into the overall aesthetic.

It proved a huge hit, and even became a celeb favourite with the likes of actress Kate Winslet wearing one on the red carpet.

Beneath the rock’n’roll exterior beats a hardcore heart courtesy of Agenhor – which has made movements for the likes of Hermès, Van Cleef & Arpels and Parmigiani.

Krüger herself has worked with Faberge, Speak-Marin and L’EPEE 1839 in the past, but her partnership with Tasaki is the first she’s put her name to.

On a work trip to Japan, she came across the brand’s Abstract Star necklace in an upmarket department store, and fell in love with its avant garde design. She decided on the spot that she wanted to work with the pearl maison on a collaboration.

A meeting in Baselworld was duly arranged, followed by a return trip to Tasaki’s atelier in Japan – and the partnership was made official.

The resulting collection of eight watches comprise four limited-edition Petit Skulls and four new iterations of her 2018 Chaos collection.

The latter watches, including a custom movement from Agenhor, is another riff on a skeleton dial – but this time the apertures are jagged, almost comic book-like – depicting a conceptual explosion.

Throughout the Fiona Krüger: Tasaki collection, mother of pearl dials are framed in either titanium or steel cases and all finished to striking effect, with a more muted monochromatic colour scheme to her own-brand pieces.

For more information, see tasaki.co.uk