CZAPEK announces new Antarctic Plique-a-Jour!

"Plique-à-jour" literally translates to "letting sunlight through." Developed in the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century, it is one of the most challenging enameling techniques. Open, unlined metal cells are filled with transparent or translucent enamel and fired at temperatures of approximately 900°C. The enamel fuses to the metal frame, leaving nothing behind, allowing light to shine through, creating a radiance reminiscent of tiny stained-glass windows. Only a few workshops worldwide have mastered this sophisticated technique, due to its incredibly delicate and multi-step process. From color matching to achieve the desired color and transparency, to precise filling and layering of each cell, to precise temperature control to prevent cracks during high-temperature firing, and polishing in the final stage—every step requires consummate skill and patience.
The transparency of the finished enamel allows the structure of the movement beneath the dial to be seen, creating a unique aesthetic that directly links art and mechanics.
"What makes this dial so special and unique is precisely its transparency.
"While typical Plique-à-Jour often has tiny bubbles inside, making it slightly cloudy, this Antarctic Plique-à-Jour achieves complete transparency. It also features subtle color gradations, elevating this already astonishing technique to an even higher level," he continued.