cool dial – Swiss Watch Makers

How Hermès Makes ‘Square’ Crystal Dials For The Arceau Lift Millefiori (Video)

Nicolas Scatena — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 19:18:44 +0000

Sometimes when looking at watches you might wonder, “How do you even make that?”. Many watches have very dazzling details which look very majestic. An example of that is how Hermés makes square crystals for its dials. In making the dial of 2018’s ultra-limited Arceau Lift Millefiori, the process is made more contemporary-looking by adding a new color scheme and shape to the traditional process.

This dial added more uniqueness and rarified nature to it which was a great idea to add to the Lift tourbillion. The first Hermès Arceau Lift flying tourbillon came out in 2013 inspired by the Double H element that was first used on a lift (elevator) installed in 1923 in Hermès’ flagship boutique. A testament to that era’s love of wrought iron and art deco design, the Double H was created in honor of the marriage of the founder’s grandson, Émile Hermès, to Julie Hollande, the daughter of a local businessman.

The process to make square crystals for the dial includes high glass blowing skills to achieve the crocodile-leather-like look of the Arceau Lift Millefiori’s dial.

Basics:

Case: 43 x 12.65 mm, white gold
Dial: crystal using the Cristalleries Saint-Louis Millefiori technique
Movement: manually wound Hermès Caliber H1923 with one-minute tourbillon, 3 Hz/21,600 vph frequency, power reserve 90 hours
Functions: hours, minutes
Limitation: 3 pieces
Price: 200,000 Swiss francs

Introducing De Bethune Maestri’Art Collection

Nicolas Scatena — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 19:42:44 +0000

Denis Flageollet, the watchmaker and creator behind De Bethune, is known as one of the most brilliant watchmakers of his generation, in particular for his technical developments. The new collection features his love and talent for Asian Art. Inspired by the take on the DB27, paying tribute to Japanese Tsubas, which is the hand guard of a Japanese sword. They are finely decorated with precise details and quality. Measuring 43mm in diameter, the case of the Maestri’Art I is fashioned out of a dark alloy forged by Denis Flageollet himself.

The hours and minutes can be found on the micro-dial in the center of the watch. Inside is the automatic calibre AutoV2, featuring the brand’s titanium balance wheel with gold inserts, a De Bethune balance spring with a flat terminal curve and a steel escape wheel.

The De Bethune Maestri’Art 2 is a version in blued grade 5 titanium, engraved and enhanced with gold particles. The gold on blue details look very surreal and fantastic. This dial symbolizes the carp which is the main picture of this timepiece.

The hours and minutes are indicated on 12 diamond indices. Turning the watch over the exhibition caseback offers an unimpeded view of the superb hand-wound calibre DB205 boasting 6 days of power reserve and the brand’s traditional immaculate finishing.

Both watches are worn on alligator straps with alligator lining and a pin buckle. Price is set at CHF 135,000 and CHF 110,000.