Artisan Timepieces Handcrafted in Switzerland
Watches
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Historically, the Swiss watch and clock industry has always had a specialized horizontal structure in which suppliers, craftsmen and sub-contractors supply movements and external parts to assemblers called "établisseurs", who put the final product together. However, to a lesser extent, the industry has also developed a vertically integrated structure in which watches and clocks are sometimes made entirely by the same company, in this case called a "manufacture".
Our Artisan Timepieces are all fit with historical (NOS) new-old-stock movements manufactured between 1950 to 1975 by FHF (Fabrique d'Horlogerie Fontainemelon) and AS (Adolf Schild SA) and Unitas SA which became the today's ETA SA later on.
The FHF and AS movements are - though 50 to 70 years old - of excellent quality. Some say even better than today's mass produced movements. All movements have never been used before and are completely overworked, decorated and if necessary modified in the ateliers in Switzerland.
The movements we use in our watches have been supplied by FHF and AS between 1910 and 1980 in large quantities to well known brands among them:
Tissot Cal. 2132/35/36/37 = FHF 69N, Bulova Cal. 3AL = FHF 59, Cortebert Cal. 732 = FHF 73-4, Doxa, Dugena Cal. 3605 = FHF 96, Dugena Cal. 677 and 777 = FHF 70, Elgin = FHF 905, Gruen Cal. 220 = FHF 60, Longines Cal. 510 = FHF 59-21, Lucien Paccard, Sefes, Silvana, Tudor Cal. 390 = FHF 96, Waltham Cal. 1155 = FHF 70, Zodiac Cal. 58 = FHF 81 (1965) and FHF 96, FHF Auto 909, Eaton Solar Aqua movements = FHF, Girard Prregaux Cal. GP 86 = FHF (1930-60), Girrard Perregaux Cal. GP 21 Gyromatic = FHF 90-5, Girrard Perregaux Cal. GP 461 = FHF 90-5905, Alpina Cal. 647 = FHF 70, Alpina Cal. 668 = FHF 28, Alpina Cal. 821 = FHF 123, Rolex Cal. 59 (CS) = FHF 30-1 (around 1945), Rolex Cal. Marconi special and Rolex Viceroy (from 1919) = FHF.
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Reverse painting-on-glass is a uniquely difficult and skillful art.
This reverse painting, as églomisé is known in English, which is done here backwards on the inside of the sapphire crystal, is a unique, rare, and difficult art that is brand-new to the horological scene.
What makes this particular technique so difficult is the sequence of paint application necessary to achieve it successfully. The resulting painting is actually seen in reverse from the front, so the paint must be applied opposite to the intended effect, requiring a great deal of imagination, patience, and skill – most especially when the painting involves an entire palette of colors.
Preparation of Sapphire Glass
Before a sapphire crystal can be painted, the surface has to be cleaned, by keeping it in hot concentrated Hydrochloric acid to remove all metallic remains and in a 250°C hot oven over night to remove organic remains.
Painting Procedure "Floating Pigments"
On the reverse of the sapphire crystal or dial, the painting is applied by using Aqua Regia oil and color pigments, a minute and painstaking work and procedure putting layer on layer with brushes and fine needles.
As a final step three protective layer of Japan Urushi laquer is applied over the miniature at the reverse of the sapphire dial or crystal.
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The Èmail Lumineuse is a fusion of enamel and a non-radioactive substance which is in the position to glow for many hours after being loaded under artificial or sun light for a period of time. The Èmail Lumineuse is only available in "Aqua Blue" and "Pale Green". Since it is an organic product, minor irregularities in the enameled areas must be accepted.
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All watch parts, cases, crowns, hands, artworks are executed in the ateliers by hand and hand operated machines.
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We only work with only the best Top Wesselton VVS diamonds (color G fine white+) and gemstones, supplied by reliable suppliers in Switzerland. Diamond setting is a very fastidious work and not executed in our ateliers. For setting of stones, we work with the best stone setters in Switzerland.
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Our timepieces are in general understood as «Unique Pieces» manufactured on demand.
Your watch is made and tested to ensure it works. Under our Limited International Warranty, we agree to correct, free of charge, any problems affecting the functions of your watch that are due to a manufacturing defect. The Limited International Warranty against manufacturing defects for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of purchase covered
What is not covered by the International Service Guarantee?
The International Service Guarantee is not a service contract.
The following damages are excluded from the warranty:
(a) Defects or damage caused by loss, theft or fire.
(b) Defects or damage caused by misuse or negligence, or resulting from an accident.
(c) defects or damage caused by improper use like swimming, diving, tennis, golf, martial arts and such (blows, impacts or other effects on the glass, bracelet, etc.), by interventions of third parties
(d) consequences of normal wear and tear and aging.
(e) routine maintenance and cleaning.