# Animated Artist-Designed Timepieces The Asterisk Watches Happiness is Fleeting is Playful By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2026-02-19 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/asterisk-watches-happiness-is-fleeting References: [theawesomer](https://theawesomer.com/happiness-fleeting-watch/796729/) & [asteriskwatches](https://asteriskwatches.com/)  The Asterisk Watches Happiness is Fleeting timepiece has been created by the brand with an unexpectedly playful and slightly macabre appearance to work well for a variety of collectors and watch aficionados alike. The timepiece features the [artwork of Kerry Callen](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ressence-x-shantell-martin-type-1-square), which consists of a zombie on the dial at a theme park holding a ballon with its severed hand. The hand and balloon act as the minute indicator to have it rotate around the dial in a comedic albeit sad manner, while the hour is indicated through a window in a cloud floating in the sky. The Asterisk Watches Happiness is Fleeting timepiece is being launched as part of a [Kickstarter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-impossible-watch) campaign and has a [fully mechanical movement](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antarctic-erotic) to eliminate the need for batteries or charging. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 8.5/10 - Popularity: 94% | Activity: 96% | Freshness: 65% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/watches) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Artist Crafted Timepieces:** A convergence of fine art and wristwatch design creating limited-edition pieces that redefine value perception and collectible desirability. - **Animated Mechanical Dials:** Designs incorporating moving figurines and narrative indicators on fully mechanical movements that shift consumer interest from digital gimmicks to tactile storytelling. - **Crowdfunded Luxury Accessories:** New product launches leveraging Kickstarter-style platforms to validate demand and finance boutique production runs outside traditional retail channels. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Watchmaking and Horology:** Independent and microbrand manufacturers exploring bespoke complications and artist collaborations that challenge mass-market quartz dominance. - **Collectible Art Merchandise:** Art-driven merchandise blending gallery-worthy aesthetics with functional design, creating crossover appeal between collectors and everyday consumers. - **Mechanical Movement Manufacturing:** Niche movement producers supplying intricate mechanical modules that enable animated displays, offering alternatives to electronic actuation systems. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Animated Watch Collaboration](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/breitling-astro-boy-avenger.md) - [Space-Themed Cartoon Timepieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/timex-x-peanuts-marlin-space-orbit.md) - [Interactive Horology Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/perse-fantme.md) - [Luxury Cartoon Timepieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spinnaker-fleuss-chronograph-spongebob-squarepants-eyedial.md) - [Kinetic Pattern Clocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moir-clock.md) - [Whimsical Regulator Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unfrogettable.md) - [Whimsical Moonphase-Inspired Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/calibre-jj04.md) - [Collaborative Bright Tonal Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/time-for-fun.md) - [Robotically Accented Timepieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/czapek-antarctique-rattrapante-rur.md)