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
TORONTO- Five years ago, a Group of provincial Masonry experts selected its top masonry heritage buildings in the Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge region in conjunction with the North Waterloo Region Branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario. These buildings that define Kitchener-Waterloo (K-W) and Cambridge are known for their distinctive beauty, history and longevity.
The Walper Hotel- stopping point for Lady Gaga and in the past Eleanor Roosevelt, Louis Armstrong. photo: Nick Stanley
With an enduring presence that shapes the landscapes on which they were built, these heritage buildings were selected by industry experts as the finest examples of masonry design in the tri-cities of southern Ontario. “Heritage buildings made of brick, block or stone are the longest lasting and most architecturally significant designs in any community,“ says Jack Prazeres, President of MasonryWorx. “Landmarks like these move people with their iconic beauty.”
Prazeres went on to say, “Often built with locally quarried stone and clay for brick, many of these buildings not only define their communities through their design but also their material – they are true reflections of the geography on which they stand.”
The yellow-hued brick for example is a hallmark of this region that creates a sense of place like no other part of Ontario. The yellow-coloured brick comes from calcium rich clay mixed with limestone from the Niagara escarpment.
“Although none of our top masonry heritage buildings used the yellow brick, because in the past it was not considered as high quality as red brick, the yellow brick deserves honourable mention for the regional distinctiveness it has created,” Prazeres says. “There is no doubt however that this regional brick has stood the test of time and has helped define Waterloo Region.”
Jack Prazeres, President of MasonryWorx- photo courtesy Ministry of Citizenship
The criteria used to choose the top buildings included: durability, aesthetic appeal, craftsmanship, and the best use of masonry products in their architectural design.
After a panel discussion by masonry professionals working with brick, block and stone, MasonryWorx selected the following five Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge buildings to honour for their masonry heritage value:
Galt Collegiate Institute – This Cambridge landmark was founded in 1852, when it was known as the Galt Grammar School, a highly reputable private school for boys. Today, the symmetrical building designed in the Scottish Baronial style houses a public secondary school. The building, which is constructed from fossilized limestone quarried from on-site riverbanks, underwent several additions between 1859 and 1923.
Gore Mutual Insurance Company head office — The 1935 Neoclassical Revival head office of the historic Gore Mutual Insurance Company in Cambridge features impressive exterior fieldstone walls and a beautiful interior finished in at least four types of marble and locally supplied granite. Stunning features of marble and fieldstone also grace the 1955 addition to the building.
Wilfrid Laurier University, Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work– First known as St. Jerome’s College, the two buildings on this property in Kitchener were built in 1907 and 1909. The buildings are handsome and well-preserved examples of Neo-Classical architecture. The features of the 1907 Duke St. building include the monumental central pavilion with pediment, coupled columns, front entrance, window openings and brickwork. Features of the 1909 College St. building include the brickwork and window openings.
Walper Hotel – A parade of notable guests from Eleanor Roosevelt and Louis Armstrong to Pierre Trudeau and Lady Gaga have dined and slept at this hotel at King and Queen Streets in Kitchener. Established in 1893, the building cost just $75,000 to build. Guests could have a room, three meals a day, a pitcher of water, gas lamp lighting, a spot to hitch their horse and use of one of the hotel’s common area bathrooms for just $4.50 per week. With its delicate brickwork over the arched windows and elegant cornices, it is the city’s best example of hotel architecture.
Wissler-Cascaden House The simple Mennonite Georgian style popular with Pennsylvanian settlers inspired the design of his two-storey house in Waterloo. It was built in 1842 by John Wissler, a pioneer from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He helped establish the hamlet of Lexington thanks to his tannery and the many businesses and trades that sprouted up to support it. The current owners have given a great deal of time, effort and care to the extensive restoration of the house which portrays a faithful representation of early Waterloo. For the Silo, Vickie Fagan.
The Georgian Style: Constructed in 1842, Waterloo’s Wissler-Cascaden House.
Supplemental- MasonryWorx is the trade association of brick, block and stone masonry industry professionals. Its membership includes product manufacturers, suppliers and skilled professionals from across Ontario, and the organization is committed to providing home buyers, homeowners, architects, engineers, builders and government leaders with accurate, timely information about the use and benefits of brick, block and stone products.
