The Making of the Masterpiece
the Royal Berkeley Emperor Tourbillon
The teeming yet idyllic nature of London’s Berkeley square has been quintessentially captured in the Berkeley Royal Emperor Tourbillon. This bespoke watch is a supreme illustration of Backes and Strauss’ continuous inspiration that is drawn from London’s iconic architecture.
The process of making the timepiece
Finished with 1,080 diamonds, it is an ultimate testament to Backes and Strauss’ endeavour for innovation using historically unprecedented expertise. In its conceptual design, this unique piece has undergone a complete skeletonization, keeping only the essential movements needed for the bespoke manual winding skeleton tourbillon in the timepiece, which is framed inside the square shape of the case similar to London’s Berkeley square. This Luxury watch exhibits a simple yet extraordinarily complex design which demonstrates how effortless a master’s intricate craftsmanship can look when they have executed it.
idea
Vartkess Knadjian wanted to create a unique and exceptional collection of 5 bespoke skeleton tourbillon timepieces.
prototyping
By way of a 3D printer, a prototype of the timepiece was created. Once the prototype was approved by Vartkess and his team, its production has started.
sourcing gold
The gold was ordered from the refinery. A specialist team CNC-machined a block to the technical drawings, while the goldsmith shaped gold bars into lines for the diamond setting and linked them together by hand.
sketches
Sketches were taken to the horological department who assessed how to bring to life these timepieces for Backes & Strauss.
diamond sourcing
Vartkess then coordinated diamond processes: hand selecting, assessing how they will each be individually set, buying from different sources across the globe.
preparing the case
Meanwhile the precisely measured crystal glass for the back and front was ordered.
measurements
Here the technical design was composed. This is where all techniques required are assessed and measured precisely.
diamond polishing
Varying teams of diamond polishers then began the polishing process, ensuring that every accurate measurement of the diamonds was perfected and respected.
diamond setting
Specialist diamond setters worked on the inner case, case, and bridge. The most challenging part was setting 60 precisely tapered baguettes on the bridge, as any damage could affect the watch’s function. The process was repeated on the front and back.
final timepiece
After hundreds of hours of skill and unwavering precision, passing through the hands of most highly skilled craftsmen, the Royal Berkeley Emperor Tourbillon joined the pantheon of Backes & Strauss Masterpieces.
