Artistry at its best

Andersen Geneve

When an independent watchmakers sets out to make bespoke timepieces, it is often considered too ambitious. About 40 years ago, Svend Anderson embarked on a similar journey when he collaborated with several local artisans and craftsmen to create watches that had been never seen before. He established himself as an artistic watchmaker who finds inspiration from erotica. His Eros 69 of 2007 watches came with unconventional miniature paintings on the flip side. This time, his new collection, Vita Vinum, is all about oenophiles that is winemakers. This collection is only limited to 12 pieces with highly complicated dual discs. The second disk is a revolving one that makes one complete revolution in 365 days, revealing 12 different hand-enameled images of different stages of winemaking. The conventional three hands are retained in a dial, which measures about 42.5 mm, and has the height of 11mm. According to the brand, the red and white gold parts of the watch have been manufactured in a traditional way without the use of a Computer Numerical Control machine. Even the fixed dial is not distant from artistry as it is made of an alloy called blue gold and gives the look of a piece of tapestry. The makers position this collection as a tribute to the unsung heroes in Switzerland, toiling away to make the most exquisite spirit in the world.

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Graff

The Graff has long between one of those brands that are only accessible to the most fortunate ones of the world. Of course, this is no surprise coming from a watchmaker brand from Europe. However, the brand is widening its arms lately, as the stores have now opened in Hong Kong, Monaco and Paris. What really stood out in its new GyroGraff collection is the five piece series inspired by endangered species listed by World Wildlife Fund which are—elephant, panda, gorilla tiger and rhino. The brand launched these five watches at the global platform for watch artisans and jewelry makers, Baselworld. Each animal figure etched on the dial of these watches is made by combining diamonds and metals like polish rhodium-plated white gold or matte micro-blasted black gold. However the tiger piece is the only one with coloured sapphires in it. According to Graff, no polished metal used in these five watches is similar to another one in terms of size, weight and cut. Even the number of components used in each watch differs from one another. The dials are 48 mm wide embellished with 18-Karat white gold. Since the watch also has moon phase in it, the battery can conserve 65-hour worth power in it. We don’t know if these watches are a reminder to conserve the endangered species or an attempt to just document their existence. But anyway, full marks for the craft.

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