Tag Archives: Artistic craftsmanship

L’Epée 1839 La Regatta Métiers d’Art: Where Horology Meets Artistry at LVMH Watch Week

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At LVMH Watch Week 2026, Swiss clockmaker L’Epée 1839 unveiled La Regatta Métiers d’Art — a serene and sculptural interpretation of one of its most poetic creations. A testament to discipline, rhythm, and refined craftsmanship, this vertical clock transforms timekeeping into an artistic narrative inspired by the elegance of rowing.

A Vertical Expression of Time and Motion

Rather than a traditional horizontal design, La Regatta Métiers d’Art is realised as a towering vertical clock. Its slender, minimalist silhouette evokes the streamlined shape of a racing skiff gliding over calm water — a fitting metaphor for balance and quiet strength. The entire gear train of the clock is aligned along a single vertical axis, echoing the upright form and harmony of a rowing shell cutting through the waves.

This architectural layout isn’t just aesthetic — it reflects a philosophy where time flows with rhythm, equilibrium, and grace. At opposite ends of the construction sits the barrel and the escapement, creating both visual and mechanical balance.

The Artistry of Grand Feu Enameling

What sets the Métiers d’Art editions apart is the extensive use of Grand Feu enameling — a centuries-old technique dating back to Byzantine and Georgian traditions. Each piece’s “hull” is entirely hand-enamelled by the renowned Georgian atelier David Kakabadze Enamel. The process involves applying numerous layers of coloured enamel onto a metal surface, each followed by high-temperature firing. The result is a surface of exceptional luminosity and depth — one that captures and reflects light like rippling water.

This artisanal mastery mirrors the repeated, fluid action of an oar in motion — slow, mindful, and requiring perfect timing. No two enamel finishes are alike; every clock is truly one of one.

Three Artistic Expressions

While La Regatta Métiers d’Art is a singular concept, it branches into distinctly artistic interpretations based on the enamelling method:

  • La Regatta Umi — Drawing inspiration from Hokusai’s dynamic waves, this version employs intricate cloisonné enameling with ultra-fine gold wires and paillons (silver leaves) beneath transparent enamel to evoke the sea’s rhythmic power.

  • La Regatta Blue Horizon — Utilises flinqué enamel, where guilloché engraving beneath translucent enamel creates optical depth. As light shifts, the surface responds with subtle visual movement, reinforcing the nautical narrative.

  • La Regatta Prism — Employs plique-à-jour enameling, one of the most challenging techniques in haute horlogerie. This creates a stained-glass effect with translucent enamel in a mosaic pattern, capturing shifting reflections like sunlight on water.

Each edition remains a unique, bespoke creation — customizable on demand with pricing available upon enquiry.

Mechanical Heartbeat: In-House Calibre and Technical Details

Despite its artistic surface, La Regatta Métiers d’Art remains deeply rooted in mechanical horology. Powered by an in-house L’Epée 1839 calibre, the clock operates at 2.5 Hz (18,000 vibrations per hour) and boasts an impressive eight-day power reserve — a hallmark of the house’s commitment to endurance and reliability.

Key technical features include:

  • 26 jewels and Incabloc balance protection

  • Palladium-plated brass, polished stainless steel, and aluminium construction

  • A height of 518 mm, with a 120 mm square base

  • Hours and minutes display via vertically aligned gear train

Every material and finish — polished, satin brushed, and sandblasted — is chosen to elevate both mechanical precision and visual elegance.

When Craftsmanship and Calm Converge

La Regatta Métiers d’Art represents a rare fusion of sport, mechanics, and fine art. The serene vertical architecture, paired with luminous enamelling and rhythmic movement, invites contemplation — a quiet counterpoint to the pace of modern life. Whether viewed as a horological achievement or a sculptural object, this series confirms L’Epée 1839’s reputation as Switzerland’s leading high-end clockmaker.

Verdict: A New Canvas for Time

At LVMH Watch Week, La Regatta Métiers d’Art doesn’t just tell the time — it interprets it. Through techniques rooted in centuries of craft, and a design inspired by motion and balance, L’Epée 1839 invites collectors and connoisseurs alike to experience time as an artistic voyage.

Petite Heure Minute Red Gold – Japanese Garden

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Jaquet Droz and a collector have joined forces to bring to life a creation that represents a landmark in the history of artistic craftsmanship: the Petite Heure Minute Red Gold – Japanese Garden. It consists of 25 appliques, most of which are made from carved and engraved mother-of-pearl. These are affixed to a dial which is itself made entirely from mother-of-pearl. The work of a precision goldsmith, executed by hand to within a tenth of a millimetre. A unique piece and a synthesis of excellence.

A unique watch for a unique collector. Yet this one is something rather special; it is the embodiment of superlative craftsmanship. The Petite Heure Minute Red Gold – Japanese Garden combines multiple artisanal master strokes. At its heart, the mother-of-pearl is not merely the customary decoration applied to a gold dial: rather, it forms the dial itself, which is carved entirely from ultra-white mother-of-pearl sourced from the farthest reaches of the Pacific.

The composition it depicts has a distinctly dreamlike quality. It brings together all the elements of Japanese culture that foster serenity, harmony and inner peace. At the top of the dial stands a traditional temple. The brilliance of its execution lies not only in the extreme delicacy of its roof, its carved balconies and the perspective of its floors, but specifically in the three-dimensionality conjured by a subtle layer of semi-translucent grey paint. This depicts every shadow cast, allowing the eye to reconstruct the depth of the forms.

However, the temple does not merely appear in the background; it embodies it entirely, thanks to the 25 appliques positioned in front of it. On the left of the dial: reeds and water lilies. On the right: a cherry tree, a lantern. In the centre: a dance of koi carp. This is where we find the most exquisite applique of the entire scene: the reed stems emerging from the water are no more than 0.1 mm thick. Jaquet Droz had to devise an ingenious process to ensure that the stem at 5 o’clock could attach to the water lily petals on its left, all within a thickness of 0.1 mm.

Almost all of these elements are mother-of-pearl appliques, with a few exceptions – notably the cherry tree branches and the lantern frame, which are made from yellow gold. At the centre of the dial gleams a mother-of-pearl cabochon which, with an enigmatic touch of realism, reflects the river and its carp. Attention to detail has been taken to the extreme, with even the image projected onto its slightly curved surface faithfully reproduced. The process is reminiscent of that used by Vermeer in his Girl with a Pearl Earring.

A host of other details help to create additional volume and perspective. The hour and minute hands glide beneath the decoration, positioned to within a tenth of a millimetre. The carp swim beneath the water lilies, but their eyes shine with the brilliance of 0.5 mm diamonds so that they sparkle on the surface. The leaves floating on the surface of the river are applied as gold paillons over the ripples and pebbles. The glass box crystal that tops the red gold case gives a glimpse of what lies beneath the appliques. Here, even in this location visible only to the collector, the decoration still reveals itself to be hand-engraved. A refined and singular secret – just like the piece itself.

“Create your own. As unique as you are”