10051M-001

Flora under glass This limited edition of five pieces in Grand Feu cloisonné enamel draws inspiration from the large temperate greenhouse in the Geneva botanical garden. It pays tribute to this emblematic feature of the city and the precious nature of the biodiversity that it protects. Tracing all the contours of the vegetation and the criss-crossing geometric framework of the greenhouse, which continues onto the dome, called for a length of about 13.35 m of gold wire (~24.25 g). The enameller then brought out the rich chromatic variety of the palms, cacti and other succulents flourishing in the greenhouse, working with a palette of transparent, opaque and semi-transparent enamels in 11 colors. A further 20 colors of miniature painting on enamel enabled him to evoke all the exuberance of this exotic flora, whether native to Australia, the sub-tropical regions of Asia, America or the Mediterranean area, and to introduce subtle depth effects. Each enameled plate underwent 15 firings at temperatures approaching 750°C. The hour circle, adorned with a rhodium-plated sandblasted finish and a striated border, presents applied Roman numerals coated in green lacquer, framing leaf-shaped rhodium-plated hands. This clock is powered by a 17’’’ PEND mechanical movement rewound by an electric motor.