Tambour Opera Automata

The mask depicted on this Tambour watch is inspired by those traditionally worn in Bian Lian, a dramatic art associated with Sichuan Opera. Like the Tambour Carpe Diem from 2022, it comes to life on demand to display jumping hours and retrograde minutes. Both these functions are powered by Calibre LV 525, a 426-component movement that also drives an indicator for the 100 hours of power reserve. When the pusher on the side of the case is activated, five dial animations perform a horological spectacle lasting 16 seconds. The rose gold dragon lifts its head to reveal the jumping hours on the forehead of the mask, in cloisonné enamel. Meanwhile, the tip of the dragon’s tail indicates retrograde minutes. The mask then changes its expression: it furrows its brow then closes its right eye while the pupil of the left eye contracts to form a Monogram flower. The up-and-down motion of the jaw suggests changing moods. The enamelling was created by Anita Porchet while the engraved decorations for the dragon, pusher and crown are the work of Dick Steenman.