Tourbillon 7 jours aiguillage inversé « Dragon Email Grand Feu »

Caracteristics

Description

Grand Feu enamelling is the oldest method of figurative decoration used in watchmaking. It is this technique that was used to decorate BOVET pocket watches in the 19th century and which today remains extremely popular among collectors. Contrary to miniature painting on mother-of-pearl, the artist does not paint the motif directly onto the base of the dial but deposits different oxides onto the gold dial which acquire their color and transparency as they melt in the course of successive firings. The motif is therefore revealed slowly after these heat treatments (between 8 and 15 depending on the complexity of the motif and the number of colors). Furnace temperatures vary between 800 and 900°C. The artist determines the duration of each firing according to the result he wishes to obtain.

It is probably the most difficult and complex method to use, however the hardness of the enamel gives the dial a solidity that will endure for centuries, during which time its colours will stay fast. The dragon that decorates this Tourbillon with 7-day power reserve and reversed hand-fitting is the fruit of around a hundred hours work. It is the finest expression of watchmaking art as perpetuated by BOVET since 1822.