Vietnamese lacquer painting – called "sơn mài” – is a young craft. It only started in the 1930's under the influence of the “L’ Ecole des Beaux Art” in Hanoi, founded by French artists, influenced by Western modern art. However the Lacquer technique is ancient, and goes back 8000 years in China and Persia. The sort of coloured and polished lacquer used today is based on a milky sap from lacquer trees, was found in China about 3500 years ago.

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Fire Dusk

Fire Dusk

Regular price $945.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $945.00 USD
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  • Made to order
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Vietnamese Lacquer Tree

Natural lacquer is the purified sap of the lacquer tree. The scientific name of the tree used in Vietnam is Rhus Succedanea (ToxicodendronSuccedanea). It is native to Vietnam, China, Korea, Japan. The sap of this tree contains a resin, which when exposed to moisture and air, polymerizes and becomes a very hard, durable, plastic-like substance. Lacquer is, in fact, a natural plastic. In Vietnam, there are lacquer tree plantations in Phu Tho, Hoa Binh, Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang  where the sap is still collected. Once planted lacquer can be collected for about 10 to 15 years.

Due to the handcrafted nature of the process, each dial is a unique and one of a kind.

Bewitching “Tamamushi-Nuri” Style

The Fire Dusk dial draws its inspiration from the brilliant and vibrant burning oranges that appear as dusk draws near. This moment of awe inspiring beauty is captured in the multitude of orange hues within our unique dial. The lustrous sheen of our Fire Dusk dial follows in the tradition of Japanese Tamamushu-Nuri urushi and the legendary lustrous colors created by this unique urushi style. Fire Dusk captures that very moment in the sky where the brilliance of the sun and the the breadth of the sky serve as a canvas for an explosion of colors found nearly nowhere else in nature.

18 months of development

From crafting the base dial to applying the first layer of lacquer, the process involves an average of 15 layers, each requiring meticulous steps such as lining, water sanding, coloring, and color sanding. Additional artistic techniques like eggshell inlay, engraving, hand painting, and gold or silver leaf gilding may be incorporated depending on the complexity and design. These repetitive steps, combined with specialized craftsmanship, ensure the depth, texture, and vibrancy of the final piece. It tooks use 18 months to perfect that process.

Made and assembled in Switzerland

  • Family : ETA Unitas 6498-2
  • Diameter 36.60 mm (16.5 ligne)
  • Height 4.5 mm - 17 jewels
  • Rate: 21’600 vibrations per hour
  • Power reserve 48/50 hours
  • Tested in five positions within +/- 6 seconds.
  • Bridges are finished with Geneva stripes and jewel sinks.
  • Mirror polished blued screws and winding click system
  • Sunburst finish on crown wheel and rachet wheel.