Guillochage

Guillochage is an art of rhythm and precision, mechanical engraving done by hand using traditional lathes, some over a hundred years old.

Engraving Light

Detailed patterns

Whether cam-guided or straight-line, these machines allow the artisan to carve gold, silver, brass or titanium line by line, into detailed patterns that catch and reflect light. Every movement is adjusted by feel, touch, sound and sight.

Each setting matters

Pressure, angle, depth: each setting matters. The machine becomes part of the body. The engraving becomes a language, balanced between control and instinct.

Guillochage is more than a technique, it’s a language that lets the material speak. Every pattern I engrave is done by hand, using traditional tools that require patience and precision. You have to feel the metal, listen to the machine and find the right rhythm. It’s a true dialog between the artisan and the material. When I paraglide, I feel the same. The need to be fully present, to read the air, to follow its flow. In the air, as at the lathe, it all comes down to focus, calm and control.

Yann Von Kaenel—Guillocheur at Artisans de Genève

Discover The Craft That Drives Him

A journey into the world of a master craft, where every gesture and material showcase the precision and excellence of a unique savoir-faire.

A Craft Of Shadows That Brings Out The Brilliance Of Light

Even when the pattern is the same, every component is slightly different and tiny imperfections are what bring them to life. It’s what makes each creation truly one of a kind, as what we create lives once.

Your Customization Starts Here

Share your story. Your timepiece becomes its reflection.