拍品專文
Enameling is one of the most complex decorative techniques used in watchmaking. The present watch is an extremely attractive example of cloisonné enameling. The scene is divided into "compartments" (cloisons) drawn on the dial with a gold wire. After this exercise in goldsmithing proficiency, each compartment is filled with enamel powder of appropriate color and cooked at very high temperature so that the enamel powder melts down. Many different firings are necessary to obtain the final result, and each passage in the oven carries with it the possibility of the dial cracking if it cools down or warms up too fast (like a glass filled with boiling water and then immediately after with ice cold water). Furthermore, the enamel powder changes color in the oven: the master enameler has to be able to foresee this change in order to obtain the desired result.
Consequently, polychrome enameling is an extremely intricate, difficult and expensive technique, furthermore mastered by only a handful of artisans. This is the reason behind the rarity of these exquisite dials, and this rarity coupled with their stunning and unmistakable looks makes watches adorned with these creations among the most desirable and attractive vintage timepieces on the market.
Consequently, polychrome enameling is an extremely intricate, difficult and expensive technique, furthermore mastered by only a handful of artisans. This is the reason behind the rarity of these exquisite dials, and this rarity coupled with their stunning and unmistakable looks makes watches adorned with these creations among the most desirable and attractive vintage timepieces on the market.