DonCorson[AHCI]
3358
SIHH 2013: GTE: Raúl Pagès - Créateur d’automates
Raúl Pagès - Créateur d’automates
Raúl Pagès is a watchmaker who worked many years in the restauration shop at Parmigiani. He found himself most fascinated by animal automatons and decided to set out in a new direction with his brother to make automatons. His first product, the production of one years work, is this tortoise in white gold with an enameled shell. Note that the different shades of blue enamel come from the differing thickness of the enamel on the white gold base. A thicker enamel coat giving a dark rich color, a thinner layer giving a lighter color. This is given by the depth of the engraving in the surface of the white gold shell.
As the tortoise slowly advances the head moves from side to side and in and out and the feet advance too. The traction is assured by the claws formed of pear-cut diamonds. (Actually the propulsion is by the two back wheels, but don't let that knowledge spoil the illusion!)
The entire mechanism is visible from the top and bottom and is beautifully decorated.
This is the first unique piece of Raúl's production. He will be continuing with 12 more tortoises with the next product, still top secret, already in development.
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Is that an escapement?
By: AndrewD : January 22nd, 2013-18:57
Thanks Don. This little creature seems to have captured the imagination of many. Is that an escapement, or perhaps some type of regulator, that can be viewed from the top? And I like the direct winding of the mainspring like an old pocket watch. Hopefully...
Superb!
By: BCHH : January 24th, 2013-03:54
Dayum.. that's nice. But does it tell the time? Kidding kidding.. 400k does seem a little high though. I want to commission one after my dog. Should be marginally less maintenance!
Thats cute...
By: Jacky : January 24th, 2013-05:44
Thanks for sharing. It is truely a pleasure to know that such skills still exist...always admire automatons and it seems today they are getting very rare, especially a refine one like this tortoise here. Last I saw was those antique by Jaquet Droz if i am...
