In observing the latest watchmaking trends, I feel a certain sense of nostalgia sweeping through me when I recall my apprenticeship years in goldsmithing. I was fortunate enough to be introduced to these timehonoured traditional techniques by artisans passionately dedicated to their artistic craft. However, in the wake of a wave of industrial rationalisation, these techniques were more or less consigned to oblivion. At the time, the Swiss watch industry was only just recovering after the quartz crisis. Although there were apparently few remaining traces of authentic Swiss watchmaking expertise, the latter, like the phoenix, was reborn from its ashes to fly higher than ever. Ancient knowledge was revived, machines gathering dust in storerooms were restored to life. Today, horological traditions continue to progress and merge with cutting-edge technologies. The desire to achieve ever increasing mechanical precision and new technical complications has led to amazing results.
Making the most of the current desire for technical perfection and the quest for ever high levels of precision, former artisanal professions are recapturing their former glory and claiming their place in the spotlight as full-fledged artistic crafts. Artists are decorating watches and jewellery with the most amazing creations and contributing to the advancement of techniques that had virtually died out in Switzerland. The art of enamelling is once again in demand, as indeed are those of engraving, guilloché working and gem-setting. Dials spring to vibrant life as they are treated to artistic decorations with enamel, varnish, feathers or tiny mosaic patterns. Making them helps preserve and develop a rich cultural heritage.
We have the immense privilege of being ambassadors of these exquisitely expressions of refined artistry. Join us in discovering the creations by these skilled hands and the techniques that lie behind these achievements. Alongside the latest watch and jewellery models, we are presenting the latest trends and technologies, along with articles putting them in their general context.
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