Echoing the calm rhythm of oars gently cutting the surface of water, L’Epée 1839 reimagines La Regatta through a series of one-of-one Métiers d’Art creations.
Each piece transforms the sculptural clock into a luminous tribute to the enduring artistry of Grand Feu enameling.
The Grand Feu enameling technique is a demanding and centuries-old craft, entirely executed by hand.
The process involves applying multiple layers of coloured vitrified enamel onto a metal surface, followed by successive firings at extremely high temperatures – generally between 700°C and 750°C.
Each firing enhances the depth, luminosity and intensity of the colour − while requiring absolute precision − and no two results are ever identical.
Designed as a vertical clock with a clean, understated presence, L’Epée 1839’s La Regatta draws its long, slender silhouette from a racing skiff cutting through the water.
An eight-day power reserve and precise movement reflect the strength, endurance and disciplined control that define rowing and regatta racing.
The hull is fully adorned with Grand Feu enameling, hand-applied by David Kakabadze Enamel, a world-renowned atelier celebrated for its rare craftsmanship.
In this exclusive interpretation, enameling becomes a natural continuation of the spirit of rowing.
Like the repeated, fluid motion of the oar moving through water, Grand Feu enameling is a slow and careful process, built through successive firings that require patience and perfect timing.
Each layer of enamel adds depth and richness, creating a surface that softly catches the light – much like water rippling from the rhythm of the boat.
Conceived to bring a sense of serenity into our often fast-paced lives, La Regatta reveals its entire gear train aligned along a single vertical axis.
This architectural choice echoes the perfectly upright posture of the rower and the harmony of a crew moving in unison.
Positioned at opposite ends of the clock, the barrel and escapement establish a visual and mechanical balance that mirrors the boat’s own stability on the water.
In the La Regatta, sport and craftsmanship come together in a calm, elegant object, where time flows with rhythm, equilibrium, precision and grace.
A collaboration with David Kakabadze Enamel
David Kakabadze Enamel is a family-owned enameling workshop founded in Tbilisi, Georgia, by David Kakabadze Jr, grandson of the prominent modernist artist David Kakabadze Sr.
The latter was a painter, film director, stage designer, and inventor – notably of glassless stereo cinema.
Today, David Kakabadze Enamel is internationally recognised for producing cloisonné panels for table clocks and wristwatch dials for some of the most prestigious watchmakers in the world.
The atelier is renowned for its exceptional versatility, mastering all major enameling techniques − cloisonné, painted enamel, transparent enamel, two-sided enamel, engraving, filigree and micromosaic − and working with platinum, gold, silver and brass.
Its creations range from watch dials and jewelry to decorative and religious art, each crafted as a singular masterpiece.
