Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie

Designing and conceiving a fine watch

Designing and conceiving a fine watch

Like every other aspect of Fine Watchmaking, to create a watch requires the constant and close collaboration of all the professions involved.

From the very first strokes of the pencil, the designer knows for whom the watch is ultimately intended: whether it will be worn by a man or a woman, whether or not it will be set with stones, that it must incorporate a particular technical feature, and a given movement...

The watch's outward appearance - its case, strap and dial - is intimately linked to the type of movement and the information it will display (hours, minutes, seconds, day, date, month, moon phases, astronomical indications, chronograph functions, minute repeater, power reserve, etc.). Each movement sets out these indications in a different way. Each watch therefore has its own face (dial) and body (case and strap).

There is no such thing as a minor detail as a watch is nothing but detail. With grace, elegance and clarity, the tiny space inside the case must house the countless parts that drive the different functions.

Many time-consuming stages separate the initial drawing from a detailed concept, ready for production.

Once the drawing has been approved, this artist's impression must be transformed into hard facts and figures. To achieve this, human creativity hands over to cutting-edge technology. The drawing will be quantified then reproduced as three-dimensional computer images. These 3D models are essential for examining the future watch from every possible angle and making the final adjustments. After this, the watch is broken down into its separate parts. Each of these hundreds of parts, down to the tiniest screw, must be isolated, measured and drawn.

Together, these drawings and representations compose the watch's "file", the basis from which the other specialists will work to contribute their share of this joint task.

THE PROFESSIONS INVOLVED IN THE CONCEPTION OF A FINE WATCH:

• Designer, stylist
• Specialist in 3D imaging
• Prototype-maker