While preserving the elegance and extravagance of Une Folle Journée, Trilobe chose to set its symbolic rings. A real technical challenge that would have been impossible to undertake without a complete architectural overhaul of the piece. Thus, the rings were entirely redesigned to accommodate 150 baguette diamonds, each one cut to fit into the rings. Accompanied by an Art mechanics constructor, an evolution of material was also essential to guarantee the performance and reliability of the movement. On this new edition, titanium is replaced by an aluminium-silicon-magnesium alloy, whose lightness compensates for the weight of the diamonds and allows to set the rings in motion. Each ring has been custom-made by hand, thus guaranteeing the quality of the finishes.
The material as well as the thinness of the rings, providing a limited space for the precious stones, led the House to develop an innovative setting process in collaboration with expert gem-setters from Rue de la Paix, RJC certified. The 150 diamonds of the Hours, Minutes and Seconds are set through an invisible opening and then slide along the ring, thanks to a unique system developed exclusively by Trilobe.
To enable the reading of time, Trilobe chose to call in a French miniaturist painter. The 12 indicators are painted, by hand, to obtain an unparalleled level of detail. A sterling work requiring rigor and extreme precision to obtain numerals with equal proportion and finesse. One can imagine the patience and devotion demonstrated by the artist to be able to achieve this one-of-a-kind result. His unique realization brings singularity and adds value to this extraordinary piece.
Behind the staging lies a meticulous organization, where all the instruments harmonize flawlessly. A redesigned X-Centric calibre is taking shape around multitiered bridges and plates, whose sharp edges have been carefully polished by hand or with diamond tools to emphasize the sand blasting performed on their plane surfaces. Each diamond-set ring is then connected to the mechanism of the watch. This one presents to those who wish to see a harmony of textures and hints, thus at the source of a delicate chiaroscuro.
