The Ode to the 70’s is the latest chapter in Schwarz Etienne's poetic series of watches - Ode to the Week, a set of seven tourbillons, one for each day of the week and, more recently, Ode to Spring. Each of these timepieces pairs the Manufacture’s mechanical prowess with the emotional wonder of métiers d’art.
The Ode to the 70’s is inspired by an era when ‘peace and love’ was the mantra of the young and freedom of expression set aside the opinions of the political elite. The watch is endowed with a flying tourbillon, micro rotor and high-end movement finishing. However, beyond its technical virtuosity, this watch is enriched with a cornucopia of métiers d’art. The dial is enlivened with cloisonné fired enamel. The dial design pays reverence to the psychedelic art of the 1970s.
The luminescent hour and minute hands sit above an artistic canvas enhanced with cloisonné fired enamel. Swirling patterns are formed with white gold wire affixed to a white gold dial. The wire forms small compartments. Each of these compartments is filled with a paste of enamel powder and then fired in an oven (circa 800°C). Part of the enameller’s skill is knowing the best temperature for a specific shade. Once the disc has cooled, another compartment is filled with paste and the process is repeated.
Three centrally located circlets grace the dial. One is an aperture for the flying tourbillon, the second reveals the partially exposed ratchet wheel and the third is the upper-surface of the micro-rotor. The micro-rotor features the ‘peace and love’ logo, is varnished in four colours and includes period-specific engravings.
At the heart of the Ode to the 70’s is the ‘Irreversible’ TSE 121.00. Unusually, this Manufacture movement presents the micro-rotor on the dial-side of the movement. The teeth of the ratchet wheel are partially shown and the flying tourbillon is fully disclosed. The balance wheel incorporates the Schwarz Etienne logo and features the company’s in-house hairspring.
The watch comes in a 44mm 18-carat white gold case, and is supplied on a distinctive blue jeans strap. This strap is adorned with hand-painted splashes, applied by a specialist in miniature painting. The blue jeans strap features a red alligator lining and is paired with an 18-carat white gold folding buckle incorporating the Schwarz Etienne logo.
This limited edition of 23 pieces confers a notable degree of exclusivity. In addition, as each dial is crafted by hand, prospective clients can augment the rarity of their timepiece by specifying the colours depicted on the face of the watch.
