Maria Doulton visits the workshop of DeLaneau in Geneva to find out how enamel dials are made

On a bright January day I had the chance to spend time in DeLaneau’s Geneva headquarters. Here, above the brand’s elegant boutique, I spent time finding out how enamel dials are made.

DeLaneau is fortunate to have its own team of in-house artists who are keeping alive the art of enamelling. The team practices the craft of miniature painting using enamel powders as well as different techniques such as plique-à-jour and pailloné enamelling. I learned about the intricacies of each step in the highly specialised and demanding, as well as risky process of miniature enamel painting, from grinding lumps of coloured glass in an old-fashioned pestle and mortar through to final firing and polishing,

I also had the chance to watch the artists in action, using binocular magnifying equipment as they patiently applied the enamel paint to the small surface of a gold disc that will become the watch dial. See for yourself how each DeLaneau enamel dial is a work of art in its own right.

  • Butterfly inspiration for DeLaneau's one-of-a-kind watches

    Butterfly inspiration for DeLaneau’s one-of-a-kind watches.

  • A range of DeLaneau watches with enamel dials, waiting to be tried on

    A range of DeLaneau watches with enamel dials, waiting to be tried on.

  • A close-up look at the hand-painted enamel wings on DeLaneau's one-of-a-kind Dôme Butterfly watch

    A close-up look at the hand-painted enamel wings on DeLaneau’s one-of-a-kind Dôme Butterfly watch.

  • With the full artist's palette of colours to work with, it is the enameller's job to mix the precise shades required for each miniature painting

    With the full artist’s palette of colours to work with, it is the enameller’s job to mix the precise shades required for each miniature painting.

  • These discs, known as 'nuances', serve as a reference for the enamel colours and are checked to ensure the desired colour is achieved

    These discs, known as ‘nuances’, serve as a reference for the enamel colours and are checked to ensure the desired colour is achieved.

  • With a paintbrush possessing just a few hairs, often a microscope is required for complete precision when painting the enamel dial

    With a paintbrush possessing just a few hairs, often a microscope is required for complete precision when painting the enamel dial.

  • DeLaneau Rondo Translucent Green watch with a guilloché enamel dial

    DeLaneau Rondo Translucent Green watch with a guilloché enamel dial.

SOURCE:http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/watches/article/maria-doulton-visits-the-workshop-of-delaneau-in-geneva-to-find-out-how-enamel-dials-are-made/