Comments:
Charbonnage Finishing
The First Time I ever noticed this unique finishing was on the Jean Baptiste Viot Chronomètre à Paris
Source: Hodinkee
"Charbonnage" is a traditional Parisian watchmaking finishing technique that involves using a block of charcoal and oil (or sometimes 9-micron sandpaper for a similar effect) to gently scrape the surface of (typically in German Silver, sometimes brass also) the main plate or bridges.
A watchmaker manually cuts a point on a block of jeweler's charcoal and applies it to the metal surface using small, controlled circular or undulating movements.
This gentle abrasion creates a unique, soft, and slightly irregular cloud-like or "meteor-like" matte texture that reflects light in a subtle, harmoniously diffused way. After the texture is achieved, a galvanic treatment may be applied to fix the texture on the surface of the metal.
These beautiful clouds on German Silver captured my imagination. Reminded me of the Automaton in Martin Scorsese's film Hugo and that Era
Source: Hubpages
The Spiritual Successor of Jean Baptiste Viot's technique of Charbonnage is Theo Auffret who has created exceptional pieces
The Petermann Bédat X Auffret Paris Chronomètre d'Observatoire Ref: 1342
Source: Revolution
The Tourbillon à Paris
Source: Hodinkee
Giverny “Blue Train"
Source: sfwatchlover
If someone were to think this is my favorite finishing on a watch, they wouldn't be wrong.
Thank You for Reading 😊🙏
Source: Hodinkee
"Charbonnage" is a traditional Parisian watchmaking finishing technique that involves using a block of charcoal and oil (or sometimes 9-micron sandpaper for a similar effect) to gently scrape the surface of (typically in German Silver, sometimes brass also) the main plate or bridges.
A watchmaker manually cuts a point on a block of jeweler's charcoal and applies it to the metal surface using small, controlled circular or undulating movements.
This gentle abrasion creates a unique, soft, and slightly irregular cloud-like or "meteor-like" matte texture that reflects light in a subtle, harmoniously diffused way. After the texture is achieved, a galvanic treatment may be applied to fix the texture on the surface of the metal.
These beautiful clouds on German Silver captured my imagination. Reminded me of the Automaton in Martin Scorsese's film Hugo and that Era
Source: Hubpages
The Spiritual Successor of Jean Baptiste Viot's technique of Charbonnage is Theo Auffret who has created exceptional pieces
The Petermann Bédat X Auffret Paris Chronomètre d'Observatoire Ref: 1342
Source: Revolution
The Tourbillon à Paris
Source: Hodinkee
Giverny “Blue Train"
Source: sfwatchlover
If someone were to think this is my favorite finishing on a watch, they wouldn't be wrong.
Thank You for Reading 😊🙏
My Pleasure Bill, thank you for your support and kind words 😊👍🙏
I am sorry but couldn't find any pictures or video of the process, if anyone can help post those we can understand this rare technique more.
Great post, Salman, highlighting a rare and beautiful finishing !
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a watch with this finishing in person yet: hopefully someday !
Best, Emmanuel
Best, Emmanuel
My Pleasure Emmanuel 😊🙏, if you do get the chance, please share your thoughts and experience
Dear Salman, thank you very much for sharing!
This is a beautiful technique, of which I previously have been unaware.
Thanks for sharing this.
This is something that came up, and it was the first time I had seen it or at least understood what I was looking at, when I took a short class on hand finishing last year.
We didn’t get to attempt this, rather the focus was on the simple stuff.
But it did stick in my mind as a potential discussion for finishing on a watch I have ordered but am yet to talk about the finishing I’d like.
My Pleasure Jay, I always learn so much from your posts, would be so interesting to know more about your new watch when you're ready 😊👍
Fantastic! Because it means adding dust into the movement if there is no lacker added. I love the finish! Thanks for sharing! Best, E.
Both Jean-Baptiste and Théo are not only amazingly gifted watchmakers…
…they are actually both genuine artists!
Their work is not only a watch but a piece of art, really!
Sorry I have to comment again
because this style of "scratch" finishing plus the colour scheme are such an eye-pleasing combo. Auffret's La Paris and JB Viot's piece are also beautifully hand-finished. I should have bought Auffret's when it was available. This ranks up there as one of my biggest horological mistakes.
I Empathise, we have all had similar experiences 😊, these are wonderful artistic pieces with a Parisian sensibility and a lot of Emotion and Warmth ❤️
Agreed with the warmth comment
I have both watches in my hands when I met Theo. I can't find words to describe my carnal emotions...
