Introduction
20087M
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Rare Handcrafts
Dome table clock in cloisonné enamel.
Palm trees, waterfalls, sandy beaches, coral, sharks and turtles: all the enchantment of tropical islands comes to life on this unique piece in Grand Feu cloisonné enamel – a skill lovingly preserved by Patek Philippe from generation to generation.
To create the contours of the landscape, flora and fauna of this earthly paradise the artist used 14.3 m of gold wire (28.63 g) measuring 0.2 x 0.6 mm in cross-section. The island’s exuberant colors called for a palette of transparent, opaque and opalescent enamels in about 100 shades. Successive firings to vitrify the enamels ensure that the colors will always retain their intensity and brilliance. Each enameled plate required 7 to 10 firings at a temperature of approximately 890°C. An hour circle adorned with applied baton-style hour markers on an ocean-blue ground frames a dial center in cloisonné enamel.
This piece is powered by the caliber 17’’’ PEND mechanical movement rewound by an electric motor.
