Imagine a watch that captures the essence of a winter wonderland, yet is ready to withstand the heat of Florida's sunny days. That's the vision behind the Sartory Billard SB04-E Exquisite Blue Guilloché, a limited edition timepiece that's sure to turn heads.
The Art of Customization
Sartory Billard has carved a unique path in the watchmaking world by offering fully customizable dials. This approach has attracted many watch enthusiasts who appreciate the brand's focus on individual expression. However, with countless options available, some may prefer a more curated offering that showcases the brand's signature style.
A Limited Edition Collaboration
Enter the latest limited edition from Sartory Billard, created in partnership with Exquisite Timepieces, a Florida-based retailer. Building upon the SB04-E model, this edition highlights the brand's in-house manufactured dials, particularly their expertise in creating intricate guilloché patterns.
Craftsmanship and Technology
The SB04-E Exquisite Blue Guilloché's dial is a masterpiece in itself. It features an engraved pattern that plays with light, finished with a stunning blue gradient that transitions from deep navy to pale sky blue. The inner dial showcases a wave pattern radiating from the central pinion, finished in pristine white. This dial is the result of Sartory Billard's CNC machines, which facilitate complex guilloché designs, reimagining a heritage technique.
The chapter ring, made of sapphire, adds to the watch's allure. The printed and applied indices are positioned on the chapter ring, leaving the guilloché dial undisturbed and creating the illusion of floating indices. Even-numbered indices are diamond-cut and polished, while odd-numbered ones and the outer minute track are pad-printed. Even the hands are diamond-cut and finished by hand, with the hour and minute hands filled with BGW9 Super-LumiNova for enhanced visibility.
A Case Study in Design
The case, measuring 39.5mm and crafted from stainless steel, boasts a high-polished finish on the front and a brushed finish on the sides and back, with polished chamfered edges. The concave bezel reflects light uniquely, making the 10.3mm thick case appear slimmer. The 46mm lug-to-lug measurement ensures a comfortable fit for a wide range of wrist sizes. The dial is protected by a flat sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating, while the case back showcases a sapphire display, revealing the La Joux-Perret G101ET movement.
Movement and Performance
The La Joux-Perret G101ET movement powers this timepiece, offering a 4Hz frequency, a 68-hour power reserve, and 24 jewels. It measures 26mm in diameter and 4.45mm in thickness and features a tungsten rotor with the Sartory Billard logo. The case back, with its prominent coin-edge finish surrounding the sapphire display, is secured with Torx screws. The watch is water-resistant to 100 meters and features a screw-down crown with the Sartory Billard logo, also lumed for easy operation.
Versatility in Style
While the watch head leans towards a dressier look, the inclusion of both a white rubber strap and a stainless steel bracelet adds a sporty casual element. Both the strap and bracelet are curved to fit snugly against the case, creating a seamless, integrated appearance. The white rubber strap comes with a Sartory Billard logo steel pin-buckle, while the H-link style bracelet features brushed outer links and polished center links, secured with a butterfly deployant clasp. Quick-release spring bars on both options allow for easy strap changes, and the 20mm lug width accommodates additional aftermarket straps with curved spring bars.
Final Thoughts
The ability to order a customized watch from Sartory Billard is indeed a unique selling point, but the vast array of choices can be daunting. Limited edition models, like this collaboration with Exquisite Timepieces, offer a curated experience, showcasing the brand's capabilities and providing an immediate option for those who prefer a more straightforward path. The result is a stunning timepiece that embodies the Sartory Billard brand identity.
As we approach the holiday season, the multiple guilloché patterns and crisp white accents evoke a wintery feel, perfect for the colder months. Yet, with Florida's climate in mind, the white rubber strap ensures this watch is just as suited for summer days. Whether on the ski slopes or the beach, the SB04-E Exquisite Blue Guilloché is a bold statement piece.
Pricing and Availability
The Sartory Billard SB04-E Exquisite Blue Guilloché for Exquisite Timepieces is limited to just 25 pieces and is exclusively available at Exquisite Timepieces. It ships with both a rubber strap and a bracelet and is priced at US$6,400. This timepiece is now available for purchase, offering a unique blend of style and craftsmanship.
