In contemporary watchmaking, engraving has attained a prominent position among decoration techniques, securing its esteemed status as a métier d’art. Naturally, it evokes awe and amazement among collectors, as evidenced by notable examples such as the engraved balance cock of A. Lange & Söhne and the classical dial of Naoya Hida & Co. Its image in watchmaking is delicate, and its standing highly regarded, making it challenging to grasp that the art of engraving may be the oldest among the five métiers d’art techniques covered in our special feature. Engraving’s historical roots extend back to the Stone Age, where cave dwellers left their marks for us to discover, evident in symbolic images carved into stone walls or even stone tools.
The art of engraving has traversed a vast journey over the past several millennia, eventually finding its place in watchmaking, a field with a considerably shorter history by comparison. It is fascinating to realize that such an ancient technique now adorns watches — not only enhancing their aesthetic appeal, but also providing a profound sense of culture and history. With all these in mind and much more, we delve into the captivating world of engraving, exploring its process, the tools involved, and the accomplished engravers of our time.
PROCESSES AND TOOLS
As with most art forms, the fascination with engraving prompts enthusiasts to seek out various examples and discern the most beautiful pieces for their collections. The journey of delving into the beauty of this craft inevitably sparks curiosity about the techniques behind creating these pieces.
The process of engraving begins not with the dial blank, but sketches on paper which range from simple lettering to the reproduction of renowned paintings. The planning phase holds
