Elite Traveler Winter 2019

STYLE MEN’S WATCHES

CARTIER ROTONDE DE CARTIER PANTHÈRE WOODMARQUETRY The Cartier panther has been a distinctive moniker of the brand since the mysterious and beautiful animal made its first appearance on a wristwatch in 1914, and it has melted hearts ever since. This newest interpretation is created using hundreds of tiny pieces of wood marquetry. Each piece is individually cut from ultra-thin slices of wood; then they are placed one by one on the dial using tiny tweezers, creating an incredibly detailed (and tiny) jigsaw puzzle of the panther’s sive face. n request, 18K rose gold, Cartier w York, +1 212 446 3400, cartier.

by Roberta Naas

ANIMAL INSTINCTS

Today’s finest watchmakers are breathing life into their dials by using them as canvases to reinterpret majestic animals and birds. Referred to as métiers d’art , decorating a watch dial is an art that dates back centuries. Today, brands and their artisans have elevated existing techniques to new heights and developed ever-more innovative methods for ornamentation. Artisans turn to unusual materials such as lacquer made from the sap of special trees for paintings, or wood veneer to create unique patterning. Creative processes run the gamut from enameling and engraving to painting, sculpting and marquetry. Most of these dials are incredibly time-consuming to design, often requiring dozens of hours of meticulous work

expres Price o in Ne com

JAQUET DROZ PETITE HEURE MINUTE LION

A master at métiers d’art , Jaquet Droz often turns to hand-painting to achieve its tributes to nature. This mighty king of the jungle — with such intensity in the face — is the result of dozens of hours of work. Using an array of fine brushes, some with no more than a single hair, the artist interprets the lion on a backdrop of black grand feu enamel, taking great care to achieve the minute characteristics of the fur, whiskers and eyes. Some details are so fine that they are barely perceptible to the naked eye. $32,200 in 18K red gold, Jaquet Droz in New York,

BOVET 1822 AMADEO FLEURIER 43 MINIATURE PAINTING OF A HORSE This stunning horse dial begins with a shimmering white mother-of-pearl orb. To achieve the details of this magnificent horse with its sinewy muscles and elaborate mane, the artisan hand-paints the motif using a polished lacquer technique, which allows for the best possible definition. Eight layers of translucent lacquer are then added to protect the dial and add luster; the process takes a full week to complete using a microscope and fine-bristle brushes. This Amadeo watch converts from wristwatch to pocket watch and table clock. $82,000 in 18K rose gold, Cellini Jewelers in New York, +1 212 888 0505, bovet.com

+1 646 692 6470, jaquet-droz.com

Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online