Andreas Strehler – Faune et Flore Jardin des Papillon Gold or Platinum Hand-Engraved - Unique Masterpieces 2024
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO .jpg)
Faune et Flore – Unique Masterpieces of the Art of Engraving
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO .jpg)
Sirnach – Engraving, incising a design on a hard, usually flat surface by cutting grooves into it with a burin has existed before us. Already our ancestors, i.e. the ancestors of homo sapiens have known it. Until today, the art has made great progress but the objects, animals and plants, are still a popular subject.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO .jpg)
Andreas Strehler, continuing his floral motives and his papillon motive, is presenting a collection of beautifully hand-engraved watches: The Faune et Flore (fauna and flora) collection.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO .jpg)
Each watch a unique masterpiece.
Two masters
As UhrTeil AG, the manufacturing arm of Andreas Strehler, employs Roman Houdek, a master engraver, Andreas had the idea of a collaboration for his own watches to showcase both the engraving skills of Roman and the watchmaking skills of Andreas in a combined creation.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO .jpg)
Floral motives in an abstract form as well as the butterfly bridges are familiar motives on Andreas Strehler watches. This logically led to the creation of the Faune et Flore collection, representing the fauna and flora in miniature works of art in an Andreas Strehler watch.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO .jpg)
In a watch, and not on a watch, as the not only an engraved dial was to put on a watch but the engraving and the watch and in particular the watch movement were to become a unit, one being an integral part of the other.
Creative collaboration
After Andreas' idea and detailed explanations, Roman begins to make the first sketches traditionally by hand. He uses photos of the animals chosen as the motif for the watch’s central bridge and hence its dial as inspiration and as a template. It is important that the proportions and movement of the animals match the living model.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO .jpg)
Once the basic idea has been finalised, the design is worked out on the computer to ensure that the positions of the animals and plants do not cover up important positions for the function of the watch movement. During this time, the collaboration with Andreas is particularly intensive to ensure that the result fulfils Andreas' requirements.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO .jpg)
Once the design has been finalised, a plate of massive 18k Gold with the correct thickness and size to fit inside an Andreas Strehler watch is machined and used as a basis for the engraving. This already has all the precisely drilled holes required for the later placement of the jewels.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO .jpg)
Our master engraver then transfers the contours of the later motifs to this bridge before scribing them with his ‘Spitzstichel’ (pointed burin)
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO .jpg)
These light lines serve as markings for the subsequent actual engraving. Using his ‘Bollstichel’ (hollow burin), ‘Flachstichel’ (flat burin), ‘Spitzstichel’ and other burins and tools in different sizes, he first roughly removes the raw material from the blank before turning his attention to the details of the motif. With his experience and talent, he creates a three-dimensional image of nature, turning metal into a living thing, step by step.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO .jpg)
All engravings on the Faune et Flore watches are done entirely by hand; the computer is initially only used to draft the design and to ensure that the correct position of the jewels and therefore the functioning of the watch movement.
Garden of love and beauty
The first watch of the series is the Jardin des Papillons. Obviously, the butterfly, Andreas Strehler’s heraldic animal, had to be the first to be immortalised on an Andreas Strehler watch.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO .jpg)
For Native Americans, butterflies are a symbol of rebirth and transformation and therefore of hope. In the Chinese culture, the butterflies stand for love, beauty, freedom, and the human soul. In the Jardin des Papillon, the butterfly was set in a garden with other animals and floral ornaments to give it a beautiful background and context. Looking at the finely sculptured landscape full of small animals evokes a garden in summer, with the scent of flowers and the sound of a mild breeze rustling the leaves.
Water and friendship
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO .jpg)
With the Étang des Koï, Andreas Strehler changed the element and a bit the continent but remained true to his ideas of design and beauty.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO .jpg)
In the Japanese language, "koi" is a homophone for 恋, a sign which means "love" and "affection". This is the reason why koi are symbols of love and friendship.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO .jpg)
Ornamental koi are also symbolic of the whole Japanese culture and are still closely associated with Japan’s national identity. Well-known are the koinobori called carp streamers. This tradition began in the Edo period (1603–1867) and is still practiced today, when on 5 May, Children's Day, colourful carp-shaped wind-socks made out of paper or cloth flutter in the wind.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO .jpg)
The Étang des Koï evokes a tranquil pond for the koi to live in peacefully, move slowly and invite contemplation and meditation.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO .jpg)
160 Hours – or more
One whole month, or cautiously calculated at 20 working days with 8 working hours, 160 hours is the time it takes to turn bridges at the hand of a master engraver into a living object. 200 plus hours is probably more like it.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 
The work of the engraver takes skill and experience and great concentration.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 
From Papillon d’or to Faune et Flore
These bridges which are tuned into such filigree masterpieces are made in Sirnach, in our own workshop.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 
The Faune et Flore movements are specially made for the collection; the movement being a variation of the Papillon d’Or open movement. As always, and as with all watches bearing the name of Andreas Strehler, each component of the Faune et Flore collection is designed, manufactured, finished and assembled in Andreas Strehler’s workshop in Sirnach.
Born free – wildlife without limits
All hand-engraved watches of the Faune et Flore collection are being built on request. The design and all other details are specified between the client, the engraver and Andreas Strehler.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO .jpg)
Within the limits of the art of engraving and Andreas Strehler’s idea of aesthetics, almost any animal, any plant or any other scenery can be the object of an engraving.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO .jpg)
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO .jpg)
PS: Andreas will be in New York with this new timepiece on the 18th and 19th October.
For an more information, please visit the press section on www.astrehler.ch or contact info@astrehler.ch.
----------------------------------------------
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Collection Faune et Flore
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO .jpg)
Movement
Mechanical manual winding. Massiv 18K gold butterfly bridge
Complication
World smallest differential gear to indicate the power reserve
Power reserve 78 hours, double barrel mainspring
Size Tonneau shape: 32x30mm, 5.9mm thickness
Frequency 3 Hz / 21’600 A/h
Jewels 27
Movement parts 162
Case
18K rose gold or platinum
Size 41×47.2mm, 10mm height
Hands Blue steel
Dial
In solid gold
Strap
Black alligator with tang buckle in 18K rose gold or platinum
🔴 Price starting at CHF 165’000 (excl. VAT and local taxes)💰
----------------------------------------------
Press release - 2024
----------------------------------------------
------------------------------------
Contact US
Andreas Strehler
Standbachstrasse 26
CH-8370 Sirnach
Switzerland
phone +41 71 966 11 88
fax +41 71 966 11 79
----------------------------------------------------
www.facebook.com - Andreas.strehler.9
----------------------------------------------------------
Astrehler.ch
No comments:
Post a Comment