The Art of Enamel: The Grand Feu Technique
For centuries, enamel has been a material both prized and feared for its beauty and complexity.
Composed of a complex mixture of silica, minium, potash and soda, enamel is obtained by fusion at high temperature. This delicate process is magnified at Donzé Cadrans, a leader in the art of enamelling since 1972. This enamelling workshop retains its unique expertise, producing dials using a variety of traditional techniques, including Grand Feu enamel, cloisonné and champlevé.
Mastering the Enamel Grand Feu Technique
Grand Feu enamelling is a unique decorative technique, characterised by its complexity and demanding nature. The process involves applying successive layers of enamel mixed with water to silver plates, which are then fired at temperatures of over 800°C. Each firing and polishing stage requires extreme precision to obtain a perfectly smooth, homogenous surface.
Enriched with metallic oxides, the enamel takes on a variety of hues, from deep blue to brilliant red, depending on the elements added and the firing time. This ancestral know-how, mastered by a small number of expert craftsmen, guarantees watch dials of exceptional beauty and durability, making each piece unique.
Discover the Manufacturing Process
Step 1
Wash and grind the enamel powder to reduce its granulosity and obtain a homogeneous layer using a glass or agate pestle.
Step 2
Application of four to five successive layers of enamel mixed with water using a brush.
Step 3
The enamel coated plates will be placed in the oven and baked at over 800°C. The baking time and the thickness of the enamel layer will influence the final colour, which will give the dial a unique artisanal final colour.
Step 4
Unification of the enamel surface using an abrasive file.
Step 5
Before the last passage in the oven, the thickness of the dial is checked using a micrometer.
Step 6
Polishing of the three enameled elements.
Step 7
The three enameled elements will have to be cut and/or adjusted for the final assembly.
Step 8
The three fitted elements are assembled and then welded.
Step 9
Using a transfer bracket and stencils, the inscriptions are then transcribed onto the surface of the dial. Each dial takes about two days of work for an enameller.