995/153J-001

Mediaeval shield This unique piece in yellow gold draws inspiration from the targe, a mediaeval shield that became a symbol of the Scottish Highlanders. The background was first hand-engraved with a pattern of volutes, destined to remain visible beneath the translucent enamel and create the illusion of leather. This effect was heightened by the skills of the enameller, who called on his exceptional mastery of gradations, working with 2 colors of brown enamel. A remarkable total of 680 gold spangles or paillons set into the surface of the enamel, according to the technique of paillonné enamelling, rendered the effect of the brass studs typical of the traditional targe. This enamelwork required between 8 to 9 firings at a temperature of 770°C. The border of the case back, the bezel and the bow are adorned with a hand-engraved geometrical frieze. The dial, also hand-engraved, was inspired by a motif drawn from Scottish culture and visible through the brown enamel. A minute scale set with gold paillons together with applied Arabic numerals and pierced Dauphine-style hands, all in yellow gold, indicate the time. A Cairngorm cabochon (0.15 ct) decorates the crown. This pocket watch is delivered with a stand in yellow gold representing a typical Scottish dirk, its hand-engraved hilt set with a Cairngorm stone (0.12 ct). The oval base of the stand is in slightly granulated brown leather. A yellow-gold chain suspending a medallion adorned with engraving, enameling and paillonné enameling also accompanies this pocket watch. This piece houses the caliber 17’’’ LEP PS manually wound movement with small seconds.