The Art of Handcrafting Watches
To some people, a watch is just a watch, a device that will tell you the time. For Basse Broye it means much more than that. A mechanical watch is a piece of high-end engineering. It takes the utmost precision and concentration from both machines and men to be able to produce a fine mechanical timepiece. Working with incredibly small tolerances that are basically microscopic to zero, pushes watchmaking to the border of what is possible. This is necessary, for the creation of a mechanical watch that is able to keep perfect time with only a small tolerance in deviations. And to do this every day, every week, every month, even for years, highly educated Artisan in as many as 15 different professions are needed. Through the excellent educational film series of The Foundation of Haute Horlologie, we are able to give you a closer idea of the expert work of those artisans involved into a timepiece like the Basse Broye Watches
Designing The Watch
Basse Broye has an in-house creation studio, which includes designers who are given free rein when it comes to conceiving new models. The development of a watch requires nearly a year’s work, from the first designs, presented in the form of gouache drawings, to the development into three-dimensional models, and culminating in the production of prototypes, Throughout these various stages engineers and designers work in close collaboration so that the creative spirit of the original sketches can be transformed into an exceptional watch creation.
Designing The Movement
The conception of a skeleton movement begins with an idea put onto paper in rough pencil sketches, with a clear vision in terms of desired basic functions, complications and a general shape or aesthetic. Once the basic movement and the level of skeleton design are established, the micro-engineers, watchmaker, and draftsmen put together a precise blueprint of the movement and its individual components, as well as the methodology for their production and assembly.
Assembling The Movement
The process of fitting together the components of a movement is done entirely by hand. The human element is primordial, especially for adjusting, inspection, and testing.
Making the Dial
With demand soaring for ever more complicated watches, new technologies to produce the most desired decorative effects were introduced. Dial production shifted from 20 distinct stages to around 40 to 100. As the most visible part of the watch, the dial even on skeleton watches contributes so much to the overall look and feel of the final product. Very precise repetitive patterns can be engraved in a process called guilloché. Popular requests include two-tone, satin effect, gold-dusting, polished lacquer or even a matt finish created by incorporating chalk
Handcrafting the Leather Starp
We work exclusively with exquisite raw materials, such as the Alligator mississippiensis, the best quality Alligator skin on the market and of leathers. To achieve the unique Basse Broye signature strap. Dedicated technologies have been developing to allow the Alligator leather to be coated with our carbon layer giving this particular matte deep black look.
Casing up
We work exclusively with exquisite raw materials, such as the Alligator mississippiensis, the best quality Alligator skin on the market and of leathers. To achieve the unique Basse Broye signature strap. Dedicated technologies have been developing to allow the Alligator leather to be coated with our carbon layer giving this particular matte deep black look.
Gem Setting
Just like watchmaking, the art of gem-setting is practiced as an art. Performed in close collaboration with our designers, Basse Broye practices traditional gems hand setting techniques to embellish your timepiece. While diamonds remains the most coveted gemstones for their rarity and scintillation, Basse Broye regards the world of gems full of possibilities, incorporating precious stones such as emeralds, rubies, sapphires as well as semi-precious stones such as amethyst, topaz and hematite and countless others to transform your watch into your unique timepiece.
