Dome table clock in Longwy enamel on faience.

A flight of Japanese cranes, symbols of longevity, decorate this unique piece with its setting of Mount Fuji. To create this decor reminiscent of a print, Patek Philippe chose the refined technique of Longwy enamel, named after its birthplace in northeastern France.

The artist first outlined in black the contours of the foliage and the birds, prior to filling in the motifs with a palette of 25 opaque enamel colors, creating a slight relief. He then worked with 13 pigment shades to bring out volume and contrasts, before applying a colorant to the enameled surfaces to highlight the fine crackles characteristic of this technique. Each enameled plate required 5 firings at temperatures ranging downwards from 1020°C (firing the bisque) to 800°C (firing the black outline) and 750°C to 745°C (firing the enamel and the finishing touches). The hour circle is adorned with blue enameled Breguet numerals.

This piece is powered by the caliber 17’’’ PEND mechanical movement rewound by an electric motor.