Agassi Challenge
Agassi Challenge
Artisans de Genève is an independent watchmaking workshop offering handcrafted timepiece customization and restoration services. We are neither associated nor affiliated with the brands of the timepieces we work on.
We carry out our work at the sole request of our customers, on their own timepieces and for their private use only. The work presented was commissioned by one of our customers. This presentation reflects our know-how and has no contractual value.
Creative Watchmaking
A workshop human scale
Artisans de Genève embodies the fusion between individuals and watchmaking. This is a House where ideas are reimagined collaborative way, according to our clients’ aspirations.
An art dedicated to others
Since its inception, our workshop has worked meticulously to offer our passionate clientele the most personalised horology experience.
Guardians of memories
Creativity has been at the heart of our workshop. Our work almost always consists of bringing together the memories of each individual and transcribing them into the language of watchmaking.
From pencil to reality
Hot Lava adventure began on paper, with sketches and a multitude of ideas inspired by our customer, which we refined together over time.
Agassi's Signature Style
Andre Agassi wanted to transform his watch so that it would truly reflect who he is. To achieve this, he chose Artisans de Genève for their freedom of intervention and their ability to translate a personal vision into matter, structure, and detail.
Agassi naturally gravitated toward incandescent orange-pink and deep black colors that are unmistakably his own. They evoke his legendary sneakers, marked by lava and fire, and recall a formative chapter of his career: raw energy on the court, a bold aesthetic, and an uncompromising style.
He also wanted a watch he could wear in motion one he could play with, one he would no longer feel on his wrist. Lightness and comfort were non-negotiable requirements, just as much as reliability and durability.
To bring this vision to life, Artisans de Genève designed and crafted an entirely new case, made exclusively from titanium. A construction conceived, drawn, and executed from A to Z, solely for him. As on the court, nothing was left to someone else’s judgment. By personalizing his watch, Andre Agassi fully asserts his signature.
The Selection Of Materials And Colors
By Andre Agassi
Each material and hue has been meticulously chosen to combine elegance and durability. This selection embodies a timeless customization, reflecting Agassi’s personality where performance, audacity, and streetwear culture meet.
Ultra-Light Titanium Case
To reduce reflections and give Agassi the freedom to fully express his game, we crafted a titanium case with an ultra-light Tytalit® treatment.
The Quest Of The Right Tone: Hot Lava®
It was a challenge to find the right tone.“For me, Hot Lava® is more than a colorway, it’s a statement; more than a pair of tennis shoes with my identity. I helped design it back in the 1990s at a time when tennis wasn’t ready for that kind of expression." - Andre Agassi
A Case Both Light And Technical
Andre’s creativity and exacting standards pushed us to surpass our limits. For Agassi, we reached a new milestone: designing and handcrafting a titanium case from start to finish in our prototyping workshop.
The Selection Of Materials And Colors
By Andre Agassi
Each material and hue has been meticulously chosen to combine elegance and durability. This selection embodies a timeless customization, reflecting Agassi’s personality where performance, audacity, and streetwear culture meet.
The quest for the right tone: "Hot Lava"®
It was a challenge to find the right tone.“For me, Hot Lava® is more than a colorway, it’s a statement; more than a pair of tennis shoes with my identity. I helped design it back in the 1990s at a time when tennis wasn’t ready for that kind of expression." - Andre Agassi
Ultra-light titanium case
To reduce reflections and give Agassi the freedom to fully express his game, we crafted a titanium case with an ultra-light Tytalit® treatment.
Contrasting materials
To reflect Agassi’s dual spirit and style, we chose a color gradient that evokes molten lava and contrasts muted tones with vibrant neon hues.
A case both light and technical
Andre’s creativity and exacting standards pushed us to surpass our limits. For Agassi, we reached a new milestone: designing and handcrafting a titanium case from start to finish in our prototyping workshop.
Out there on the court, every distraction matters. I always dreamed of wearing a watch I wouldn't even notice, one that moved with me.
Focus On Modifications
Titanium bezel
The bezel was crafted in Titalyt® treated titanium, an anodizing process that modifies the oxide layer on titanium’s surface, enhancing mechanical properties: improved wear and corrosion resistance plus a distinctive dark aesthetic.
A titanium case from start to finish
Inspired by chronographs from the 1980s and 90s, the 40mm case features polished and chamfered lugs that bring light, contrast and structure, just as Andre requested, while paying homage to Jean-Pierre Scherrer’s style. The case was machined using a Schaublin 102 lathe, a 1950s machine famed for its legendary precision.
Skeletonized Movement
The skeletonized movement combines technicality and transparency. Each component is cut, angled, sanded, and polished by hand.
Metallized sapphire dial
The metallized sapphire dial features a gradient playing with light and shade, transparency and intensity.
Other Modifications
Rotor
Hands
Balance bridge
To channel that shared passion into a timepiece collaboratively designed with the tennis legend himself is truly an honor, and one of the best examples of the exceptional craft that defines Artisans de Genève.
Inside The Customization
Every detail of this customization was a bold gamble, balancing a highly technical approach with aesthetics. Discover the features that shape the identity of this unique timepiece.
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Base
Rolex® Daytona® 116519 - /
Case
Scherrer prototype® in titanium for Andre Agassi - /
Movement
Caliber 4130, hand-skeletonized, sandblasted, hand-beveled - /
Rotor
Custom-made tungsten with orange-pink initial A - /
Dial
Sapphire, gradient metallization, orange-pink counters - /
Balance bridge
Steel signature, hand-roasted and beveled, mirror-polished - /
Strap
Original strap in rubber - /
Hands
Refined hands and orange-pink chrono hands
Artisans de Genève is an independent artisan workshop and does not manufacture or sell watches. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or authorized by any watch brand; all trademarks are used solely for identification purposes. All services are performed exclusively at the request of the lawful owner of the watch, and any liability is expressly limited to such owner’s personal and private use of the modified timepiece.
Write Your Own Story
Artisans de Genève is an independent watchmaking workshop offering handcrafted timepiece customization and restoration services. We are neither associated nor affiliated with the brands of the timepieces we work on.
We carry out our work at the sole request of our customers, on their own timepieces and for their private use only. The work presented was commissioned by one of our customers. This presentation reflects our know-how and has no contractual value.
Every Story Has Its Customization
You can discover below some challenges that we took for our clients. We are ready to take the one you will give us on your own favorite timepiece.
