Baselworld 2014: Translucent Creations

Baselworld 2014: Translucent Creations

Translucent enamel- DeLaneau captures nature's colours through the power of light.

As the name suggests, these masterpieces combine the strength of a single colour with the power of light to produce an appearance of remarkable and understated beauty.

The definition of a 'translucent' object is one which will allow light to pass through it, but will not reveal a clear image. Translucency can, of course, be seen at its finest in nature - perhaps in a limpid pool, a block of melting ice or a delicate leaf, lit from behind by the sun.

Like many of our creations, Translucent enamel has been very much inspired by nature and is designed to come alive with light. The changing seasons are among nature's greatest wonders. We created own colour palette of different enamelled tones to express the shades of each individual season.

Before the enamel is applied, the dial of each Translucent dial is decorated with an underlying guilloche pattern created by master engravers. After this, the dial is in-house Grand Feu enamelled and in a painstaking process which ensures absolute uniformity of colour and depth but which still allows the pattern to refract light to create a unique effect.

Once the required finish is achieved, the now exceptionally delicate dial is laserdrilled at the 12 o'clock position to enable the setting of a single, flat, precious stone. This serves as the DeLaneau signature on a dial which is otherwise unadorned in order that the true beauty of its semi-transparency can be seen to the best effect.

Whichever season’s colour appeals, each pièce unique tells its own inspiring story.