By Kien Lee
The storied house of Tiffany & Co. is once again dipping into its treasure trove of archives to revive the whimsical spirit of Jean Schlumberger. This season, the jeweler introduces the Enamel watch, a stunning horological tribute to the legendary 1962 Paillonné Enamel bangles that once adorned the wrists of the world’s most discerning style icons. It is a masterful marriage of high jewelry and Swiss precision, proving that timekeeping is best served with a side of heritage.
The centerpiece of this collection is the mesmerizing dial, where a central disc of snow-set diamonds meets a rotating outer ring of vibrant Tiffany Blue or crisp white enamel.
In a charming nod to Schlumberger’s playful aesthetic, twelve 18k yellow gold cross-stitches serve as hour markers that spin freely with every movement of the wearer’s wrist. This witty visual game transforms a traditional timepiece into a kinetic work of art.
Crafting such a marvel is no small feat, as each rotating ring requires sixty five hours of meticulous labor. Artisans spend fifty five hours on the demanding paillonné enameling process alone, a rare nineteenth century technique that Schlumberger famously rescued from obscurity.
The process involves layering gold or silver leaf with translucent enamel and firing it at high temperatures multiple times to achieve an unparalleled depth of color.
Available in 18k yellow or white gold, the 36 mm case is encrusted with hundreds of round brilliant diamonds, ensuring the piece captures light from every conceivable angle. For those who believe more is always more, the high jewelry edition features a full pavé white gold bracelet shimmering with over six hundred additional diamonds.
Whether paired with a matching alligator strap or the opulent diamond bracelet, the Enamel watch is a testament to the enduring bonds of artistry and excellence that define the house of Tiffany.
