995/147G-001

Mahogany boat This unique piece in white gold depicts a splendid wooden pleasure boat entering the Grand Canal in Venice at the break of day. To portray the mahogany boat with photographic realism, the marquetry-maker cut out and assembled a total of 334 tiny veneer parts and 15 even smaller inlays, together spanning a palette of 37 species of wood of different colors, textures and veining, coated with a glossy varnish. The boat, of the runabout type, was then incorporated into the setting, which was enameled beforehand and adorned with about 10 colors of miniature painting on enamel, detailing with great finesse the early-morning sky, the buildings in the background and the ripples on the surface of the sea. The scene was then protected and its colors intensified with several coats of flux, a transparent enamel, according to the Geneva method. This enamelwork required 19 firings at temperatures ranging from 800°C to 830°C. A dial coated with matt black enamel reproduces the codes of a boat’s instrument panels. Transfer-printed Arabic numerals and hands coated with red varnish, recalling the runabouts’ counters, indicate the time. An onyx cabochon (0.27 ct) embellishes the crown. This pocket watch is delivered with a stand in white gold, conjuring up the maritime universe by its decoration of cordage and its base in mahogany marquetry set with an onyx cabochon (0.26 ct). It is also accompanied by a chain in white gold adorned with an onyx bead (0.46 ct) and a medallion in mahogany wood marquetry. This piece houses the caliber 17’’’ LEP PS manually wound movement with small seconds.