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Lot Essay
ANDERSEN Genève X BCHH is proud to support ELA, the European Leukodystrophy Association. This exceptional and highly sophisticated two-crown World Time wristwatch has been crafted exclusively for this occasion. Pierre-Alexandre Aeschlimann, Svend Andersen and Benjamin Chee said: 'This has been made possible thanks to the help of Artists and Swiss Partners; some of whom worked for free to support this special project. We are happy to donate 100% of the hammer price to ELA. This is the very modest contribution we can make for such a noble cause. We also want to congratulate all ELA staff members & partners & Christie’s for their work and support.'
The present 'Celestial Voyager - Pièce Unique ELA' combines a platinum case, aventurine city ring, with a unique 'map of the world' cloisonné enamel dial of pure elegance and harmony. It is a watch that showcases both the minimalistic elegance and the high craftsmanship of the Celestial Voyager, in the most luxurious and alluring way. In celebration of this 'Pièce Unique ELA', the 24-hour ring carries 'ELA' in the position of the sun at 12pm. A discreet way to highlight this unique Celestial Voyager made exclusively to raise funds for ELA.
The Dial design – Cloisonné Mastery
In cloisonné enamel, the enamel is held in place by microscopically thin strips of gold wire. These are bent and soldered to the dial to form compartments (cloisons) that are filled with powdered enamel, which is then fired in a kiln to fuse it into a smooth and vibrant surface.
For the Celestial Voyager 'Pièce Unique ELA', the wire provides an outline for a map of the world.
Since each colour requires a different melting temperature, dozens of firings in the oven are required – any mistake puts the entire dial at risk of warping or cracking. It is an exhaustive process requiring immense patience and experience, conducted at a level accessed only by very few watch brands. The cloisonné enamel dial was created by outstanding craftsmen in the canton of Neuchâtel. This cloisonné map is surrounded by a city ring made from sparkling aventurine, on which ANDERSEN Genève 'A logo' is highlighted instead of 'GENEVE'.
The Movement
The slimline 'haute horlogerie' movement exhibits a variety of hand-finishing techniques, including chamfering, Geneva stripes, snail decoration of wheels, mirror polishing of screws and even polishing of the teeth of the crown wheel. The complex world time module is made in-house by ANDERSEN Genève watchmakers, and has been repeatedly refined over several years. This world time module received a yellow gold treatment in order to bring a striking contrast with the platinum case and the rhodium plated movement. Despite the complex three-layered dial and complication module, the watch is just 10.1mm thick, maintaining its air of exceptional elegance.
The back ring around the movement is made of beautiful mother-of-pearl, adding further luxury and refinement, while the winding rotor is made of 21 carat BlueGold that has been heated to a beautiful “light blue” colour, and decorated with an intricate, interlocking wave-form guilloché ('écaille' in French). 21ct BlueGold is an ANDERSEN Genève exclusivity, and a material that is exceptionally difficult to work with. To achieve it, 24ct gold is mixed with iron elements and heat-treated to turn it a radiant shade of blue – a technique that, in watches, ANDERSEN Genève alone has mastered. Achieving this shimmering shade of 'light blue colour' is extremely difficult and requires the very highest skill.
ANDERSEN GENÈVE
ANDERSEN Genève has been creating high-end timepieces for collectors around the world since 1980. Founded by Svend Andersen, a master watchmaker and co-founder of the Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI), the brand is renowned for watches of significant complexity, innovation and beauty. It combines the rare skills of its master watchmakers with an unparalleled network of Swiss artisanal specialists in every field of horological craft.
With almost all its output made to order in either customised or fully-bespoke commissions, it is among the most exclusive high-end watchmakers in the world, producing no more than 50 watches annually - in fact, fewer than 1'300 timepieces have been manufactured since 1980.
In all that time, the Geneva Atelier has remained at the same location next to the Rhône river, where traditional watchmaking artisans have worked for centuries.
BENJAMIN CHEE HAUTE HORLOGERIE (BCHH)
Benjamin Chee is a watch collector, connoisseur and entrepreneur, who established BCHH as a flagship endeavour representing his ultimate passion for contemporary high-end watches. Benjamin has brought together top artisans worldwide, creating handcrafted timepieces for the most discerning and passionate clients. Heirloom masterpieces of horology, BCHH watches reflect centuries of artisan tradition.
The present 'Celestial Voyager - Pièce Unique ELA' combines a platinum case, aventurine city ring, with a unique 'map of the world' cloisonné enamel dial of pure elegance and harmony. It is a watch that showcases both the minimalistic elegance and the high craftsmanship of the Celestial Voyager, in the most luxurious and alluring way. In celebration of this 'Pièce Unique ELA', the 24-hour ring carries 'ELA' in the position of the sun at 12pm. A discreet way to highlight this unique Celestial Voyager made exclusively to raise funds for ELA.
The Dial design – Cloisonné Mastery
In cloisonné enamel, the enamel is held in place by microscopically thin strips of gold wire. These are bent and soldered to the dial to form compartments (cloisons) that are filled with powdered enamel, which is then fired in a kiln to fuse it into a smooth and vibrant surface.
For the Celestial Voyager 'Pièce Unique ELA', the wire provides an outline for a map of the world.
Since each colour requires a different melting temperature, dozens of firings in the oven are required – any mistake puts the entire dial at risk of warping or cracking. It is an exhaustive process requiring immense patience and experience, conducted at a level accessed only by very few watch brands. The cloisonné enamel dial was created by outstanding craftsmen in the canton of Neuchâtel. This cloisonné map is surrounded by a city ring made from sparkling aventurine, on which ANDERSEN Genève 'A logo' is highlighted instead of 'GENEVE'.
The Movement
The slimline 'haute horlogerie' movement exhibits a variety of hand-finishing techniques, including chamfering, Geneva stripes, snail decoration of wheels, mirror polishing of screws and even polishing of the teeth of the crown wheel. The complex world time module is made in-house by ANDERSEN Genève watchmakers, and has been repeatedly refined over several years. This world time module received a yellow gold treatment in order to bring a striking contrast with the platinum case and the rhodium plated movement. Despite the complex three-layered dial and complication module, the watch is just 10.1mm thick, maintaining its air of exceptional elegance.
The back ring around the movement is made of beautiful mother-of-pearl, adding further luxury and refinement, while the winding rotor is made of 21 carat BlueGold that has been heated to a beautiful “light blue” colour, and decorated with an intricate, interlocking wave-form guilloché ('écaille' in French). 21ct BlueGold is an ANDERSEN Genève exclusivity, and a material that is exceptionally difficult to work with. To achieve it, 24ct gold is mixed with iron elements and heat-treated to turn it a radiant shade of blue – a technique that, in watches, ANDERSEN Genève alone has mastered. Achieving this shimmering shade of 'light blue colour' is extremely difficult and requires the very highest skill.
ANDERSEN GENÈVE
ANDERSEN Genève has been creating high-end timepieces for collectors around the world since 1980. Founded by Svend Andersen, a master watchmaker and co-founder of the Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI), the brand is renowned for watches of significant complexity, innovation and beauty. It combines the rare skills of its master watchmakers with an unparalleled network of Swiss artisanal specialists in every field of horological craft.
With almost all its output made to order in either customised or fully-bespoke commissions, it is among the most exclusive high-end watchmakers in the world, producing no more than 50 watches annually - in fact, fewer than 1'300 timepieces have been manufactured since 1980.
In all that time, the Geneva Atelier has remained at the same location next to the Rhône river, where traditional watchmaking artisans have worked for centuries.
BENJAMIN CHEE HAUTE HORLOGERIE (BCHH)
Benjamin Chee is a watch collector, connoisseur and entrepreneur, who established BCHH as a flagship endeavour representing his ultimate passion for contemporary high-end watches. Benjamin has brought together top artisans worldwide, creating handcrafted timepieces for the most discerning and passionate clients. Heirloom masterpieces of horology, BCHH watches reflect centuries of artisan tradition.