By Vanessa Lee
Inspired by the motion of the sea, the latest Métiers d'Art creation from Blancpain highlights a gemstone used for the first time by the watch manufacture, Mexican silver obsidian, as well as its favoured technique of the Japanese rokushō patina.
Silver obsidian, known for its soothing qualities, is a semi-transparent volcanic rock. Its mysterious color speckled with puffy, silvery clouds infuses it with the elegant charm sought by the designers of the new Métiers d’Art timepiece, and serves as a base for "The Great Wave" applique in white gold.
The technique used by Blancpain to create this applique involves several phases. It is first fixed to a Shakudō base before being coated with a unique patina achieved by immersing it into a bath of rokushō salts. Once the patina has been applied, the Shakudō is removed. Certain parts of the wave roller are polished in order to intensify the impression of a huge billowing wave. Finally, the engraving is affixed to the Mexican silver obsidian.
This succession of steps gives the model a shimmering appearance playing on the mysteriously changing tones of the dial.
The breaker wave is then crafted in a white gold patina, with the engraving is inspired by the Great Wave off Kanagawa, a Japanese woodblock print created by the artist Hokusai.
The power and motion of the wave as expressed by Blancpain’s master engravers contrasts with the symbolism of gray obsidian, a stone evoking purity and balance.
For this timepiece, Blancpain has modified the famous hand-wound 13R0 caliber that now becomes the 13R3A movement. The power-reserve display appears on the bridge side of the model so as to provide sufficient space to ensure optimal visibility of the engraving. The movement with its 8-day power reserve is equipped with three series-coupled mainspring barrels that successively wind and unwind. The second barrel serves as a relay for the first, replenishing its energy so as to maintain its force, and is in turn wound by the third barrel. The double-stepped case is fashioned in platinum.
A bespoke calfskin strap with storm gray color makes a perfect finishing touch to this emblematic timepiece.
