WHEN CRAFTSMANSHIP BECOMES ART

Watch dials are sometimes the ideal medium for artistic creation. The art of painting has pride of place in the tradition of the watchmaking firm.

The creations in the Les Ateliers d’Art collection highlight the experience and skill of the Jaquet Droz craftsmen and women. Their talents can be found on the dial of the Petite Heure Minute Lion. As the name of the timepiece suggests, here the king of the jungle takes centre stage. The dial is made of an usually deep black “Grand Feu” enamel, providing an ideal background for the miniature painting. The contrast sets up varied tones and highlights the feline. Its mane seems to come to life in the light. The animal’s intense gaze shines out. To achieve such levels of realism, this masterpiece was painstakingly hand-painted with the help of very fine brushes – some of them having a single bristle with the thickness of a hair. Since this is a limited edition of just 28 numbered pieces, each model is truly unique.

Price: 32,900 EUR jaquet-droz.com

By Dan Diaconu