During the medieval Gothic period, depictions of lions were important talismans. A knight wearing a lion’s head on his breastplate or his shield channeled the power and dominance of the King of the Jungle. That’s why Yvan Arpa, CEO of Artya, was looking for the right combination of elements for his new Lion’s Head Tourbillon timepiece, and he found it when he met Bram Ramon.
Born in Flanders, Belgium, Ramon is a sculptor and engraver. A few years ago, ArtyA introduced the Brabant Tourbillon and the Arabesque Tourbillon, and a couple of years later Arpa and Ramon debuted the Lion’s Head Tourbillon.
Inspired by the neo–‐renaissance style and the armed knights of medieval times, Arpa and Ramon came up with a brand new way of engraving that combines deep chiseling with sculpture, and the result is incredible.
Ramon’s specialty is combining classical engraving with sculptured figures. As an example, the Lion’s Head at 12 o’clock is so powerful it appears to be leaping off the face of the watch, especially with its eyes of 24 ct gold.
This had never been done before in a watch, and Artya dared to pair this with one of watchmaking’s most traditional complications, the flying tourbillon. The Lion’s Head exudes power, a touch of Gothic spirit, a hint of religion and an artisan’s excellence.
Just looking at the Lion’s Head is captivating, as the eye is drawn to the mixture of grooves, crevasses and sculpted figures. And the tourbillon complication at six o’clock finishes off this exceptional, unique piece.
“I love working with Bram,” says Arpa. “We had such fun the first two times around, with the Tourbillon Arabesque and the Brabant Tourbillon, I couldn’t wait to get another project going with him. I love this piece so much –‐–‐ I don’t really want to sell it.”
Design Features:
–‐Dial and bezel entirely Hand–‐engraved with 24cts gold inlays following a 19th century style: the “Neo–‐Renaissance” style only made by a master engraver
–‐ Relief Engraving technique
–‐ Lateral insert in black PVD steel
Technical Specifications:
Dial & Bezel in High–‐grade 316L steel with 24cts gold inlays
Case: 44mm
Exclusive ArtyA flying tourbillon
manual winding
19 Jewels
Exhibition Back
Two anti–‐reflective sapphire crystals, front and back Hours, minutes, seconds
Frequency: 21,600 vph
Power reserve: 100 hrs
Genuine Crocodile strap
Unique Piece 1/1
Price: 180,000 CHF