The Monochrome Challenge (Tribute)

watch and magnifying glass the monochrome challenge

Prelude

Our client wanted to pay a special tribute to the vintage timepieces he dearly collects. He entrusted us with the challenge of realizing a personalization that would have the unique feature of being entirely monochrome while offering numerous references to the unique designs of models from the 1970s.
This personalization has been requested by a private customer. It is a sample of our know-how and of the personalization services made upon request of our customers. If you would like to customize your timepiece in the same way or following your wishes, please contact us. Please note that due to the limited capacity of our workshops, we are not able to satisfy every demands so please accept our apologies in advance.
Get Inspired & make a request
the monochrome challenge closeup

The Specifications

Technical sheet

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Base
Rolex® 116520
Dial
Silver sunray finish
Diameter
39.5mm
Hands
Flame-blued, tie at 3 o’clock, a straight stick at 6 o’clock, and a pointed stick at 9 o’clock.
Bezel
Bakelite
Case
Machined,crown guards removed
Balance Bridge
Mirror-Polished, beveled by hand
Barrel
“In house-manufactured”
Chrono Bridge
Machined by hand, Côtes de Genève, hand-finished
Movement
4130 hand-wound movement, 72 hours power reserve
Back
Transparent Saphir, individually engraved
Water Resistance
100m waterproof
the monochrome challenge face
This challenge is the result of an artisanal journey combining know-how and modernity. It was a significant challenge for our artisans to pay tribute to the singularities of vintage models. Elegant and refined, our collector’s personalization is set apart by its monochrome dial, its blued hands, and its entirely reworked and decorated movement. The automatic mechanism was replaced by a manual winding one developed by our artisans, providing the timepiece a 72 hours power reserve. The piece is delicately magnified by the côtes de Genève entirely realized by hand.

Passionate
Tribute

Monochrome

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the monochrome challenge
dial the monochrome challenge
blueprints the monochrome challenge

Modifications

Focus

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Bakelite bezel the monochrome challenge

The Bezel

The ceramic bezel has been replaced by a bakelite one crafted in our workshops.
dial the monochrome challenge

Dial & Hands

The dial has been reworked with a hand-finished silver sunray effect. The counter features three distinctly shaped hands: a tie at 3 o’clock, a straight stick at 6 o’clock, and a pointed stick at 9 o’clock. They are entirely flame-blued, giving each one a unique color.
pushers the monochrome challenge

The Pushers

As a tribute to vintage timepieces, the original pushers have been replaced by “Millerighe” MK00 pushers crafted in our workshops.
the monochrome challenge full view

The Craftsmen’s
View

An Adventure

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Oscillating between mystery and enchantment, this personalization project is above all the result of a watchmaking journey, the combination of craftsmanship and technical innovation to make a dream come true.
André. Craftsman
Andre Craftsman at Artisans de Genève
Case Back the monochrome challenge
Alt content
Every detail has been thought out and reworked to infuse our client’s timepieces with the soul of vintage watches. The case is machined and finished by hand, the horns are satin-finished and the edges polished. The back of the case is entirely sandblasted. Unique detail, the balance bridge is entirely designed in our workshop. It bears several finishes: extra-fine, mirror-polished and inner angles, all meticulous watchmaking techniques that give it a timeless look. An alliance of know-how magnified by each craft.

Refinement

Details

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blued steel hands the monochrome challenge