Greubel Forsey Robert Filliou Art Piece: Art Lesson

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Greubel Forsey Robert Filliou Art Piece. Introduced in 2015, this work of art pays tribute to Robert Filliou (1926 to 1987). Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. 2015 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie.

Greubel Forsey Robert Filliou Art Piece. Introduced in 2015, this horological work of art pays tribute to Robert Filliou (1926 to 1987). Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. 2015 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie.

At the 2015 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie held in Geneva, Greubel Forsey introduced their Art Piece 1 paying tribute to Robert Filliou (1926 to 1987).

Who was Robert Filliou? Well, this Frenchman was described as a filmmaker, sculptor and Fluxus artist. Fluxus artists are described as those who combined different artistic media notably during the 1960s and such works are known to be non-commercial and anti-art.

Why did Greubel Forsey want to create a timepiece paying homage to Filliou? Well, it was for the Chapaeux! Exhibition “… which reactivates the Galerie Légitime of the Fluxus artist”, states the brand.

This “Chapeaux! A Tribute to Robert Filliou” exhibition brought together 14 contemporary artists as part of the FIAC or Foire Internationale d’Art Contemporain in Paris which was produced by the Time Art Gallery Greubel Forsey and curated by Raphael Cuir.

By all accounts, Filliou must have been an extraordinary artist, especially after knowing that the good folks at Greubel Forsey made such a concerted effort to create a tribute piece for him.

Interestingly, the watch does have a certain character about it. On the dial side, it is “stamped with the principle of equivalence” that was important to Filliou – “well made, badly made, not made”.

Greubel Forsey decided on “badly made” simply because it contrasts with their obsession for high quality craftsmanship.

The magnifier on the side of the case allows one to have an unobstructed view of Wigan’s unbelievable micro-sculpture – the miniature replica of Filliou’s Couvre Chef(s) d'oeuvre that was created in 1965 where playing cards seem to be spewing out from a bowler hat. Photo: © Greubel Forsey

The magnifier on the side of the case allows one to have an unobstructed view of Wigan’s unbelievable micro-sculpture – the miniature replica of Filliou’s Couvre Chef(s) d’oeuvre that was created in 1965 where playing cards seem to be spewing out from a bowler hat. Photo: © Greubel Forsey

For those familiar with Greubel Forsey timepieces, especially those made in collaboration with the amazing micro-artist Willard Wigan, they will be familiar with the magnifying system found at the side of the case.

This magnifier will allow one to have an unobstructed view of Wigan’s unbelievable micro-sculpture. In this particular example, it is the miniature replica of Filliou’s Couvre Chef(s) d’oeuvre which he (Filliou) created in 1965 whereby what seems like cards are spewing out from a bowler hat.

Sketches of the Greubel Forsey Robert Filliou Art Piece used on the brand’s invitation card for the 2016 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie. Try spotting the bas reliefs of Greubel Forsey personnel involved in this artistic adventure.

Sketches of the Greubel Forsey Robert Filliou Art Piece used on the brand’s Christmas and New Year greeting card. Try spotting the sketches (side profiles) that became bas reliefs of Greubel Forsey personnel involved in this artistic adventure which is also found on the rear of the Robert Filliou Art Piece. What we discovered through this card is the fact that Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey personally initiated supporting the Adenium Foundation, a non-profit charitable organisation founded on 19 August 2010. Its aim is to implement social, educational and humanitarian projects, wherever possible, for the development, benefit and well-being of children worldwide.

On the case back of Art Piece 1, you’d have to look closer and discover the bas-relief profiles of those who embarked on this artistic adventure.

Is this watch “badly made” in any sense? The layman, us included, will probably beg to differ. This Robert Filliou Art Piece 1 looks good, seems to have been made with a a strong character and stands out for its expressiveness.

For us, it is definitely a piece of horological art.

Ballon Bleu de Cartier 42mm Vibrating Setting Watch: Cartier’s Coruscation

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Ballon de Cartier 42mm Vibrating Setting Watch. Housed within this 42mm diameter case in white gold is the Cartier Calibre 430 MC manual-winding movement. The highlight of this watch is its “vibrating” diamonds – what we would describe as “dancing stones”. Limited to 20 pieces. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. 2015 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie.

Ballon de Cartier 42mm Vibrating Setting Watch. Housed within this 42mm diameter case in white gold is Cartier’s extra-thin  Calibre 430 MC manual-winding movement. The highlight of this watch is its “vibrating” diamonds – what we would describe as “dancing stones”. Limited to 20 pieces. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. 2015 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie.

Can precious stones like diamonds be brought to life?

For us, the answer is a resounding yes, if the “magician” or perhaps it is better to say, jeweller, is none other than Cartier.

Breathing life into diamonds was just one of the memorable magic performed by Cartier at the 2015 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie held in Geneva.

The tool for the “magical act” is known as the Ballon Bleu de Cartier Vibrating Setting Watch and its performance can be repeated on demand, any time of the day, anywhere with this timepiece sitting nicely on a ladies wrist.

All the wearer has to do to make the diamonds on the dial come alive is to move her hand or wrist slightly. The slightest of movements causes the diamonds set on the dial of the Ballon Bleu de Cartier Vibrating Setting Watch to “vibrate” or “tremble”.

The combined rhythmic “dance” of the diamonds in turn, translates to added sparkle from these precious stones. Just play the video we captured at the 2015 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie below, observe and all will be understood.

But do note that there is no audio in our video. As such, we would recommend musical accompaniment and our first choice is: Cartier Diamonds.

The second recommendation is Shirley Bassey’s 1971 Diamonds are Forever, the theme song for the James Bond movie of the same title – “Diamonds are Forever” released in 1971 with Sean Connery starring as James Bond.

With the musical accompaniment, you are ready to play our short 21-second video on the Ballon Bleu de Cartier Vibrating Setting Watch.

In this video (with no audio) featuring the Ballon Bleu de Cartier Vibrating Setting Watch, you can clearly see that all it takes is a slight movement for all the diamonds on the dial to “tremble” or “vibrate”; such animation is what we would rather term as Cartier’s “magical dance”.

Such movement of the diamonds was achieved through what the brand terms “vibrating setting” which is inspired by the “trembling setting” technique introduced at the end of the 19th century that allowed Cartier to have the diamonds to move freely without restraint.

Though the “vibrating setting” of the precious stones was “inspired”, it doesn’t mean that there wasn’t any innovation involved for there were “… several patent applications for this ingenious invisible system”.

According to Cartier, this “invisible” setting of theirs brings “… precious stones to life and makes the diamonds gleam and pulsate like the beating of a heart. The effect is amazing, like a wave of light in a constant state of change.

“It is the magical feeling of wearing a piece of living jewellery that throbs with the natural vibrations of the diamonds.”

We agree and we are certain many who experienced its effect will too. After all, Cartier is one brand with glitter in its veins.

“Cartier knows how to magnify stones and one historical example is the trembling setting technique,” says Thomas Crye, international marketing director, Cartier.

The Ballon Bleu de Cartier Vibrating Setting Watch made its debut in the Ballon Bleu collection, characterized by its highly identifiable crown protection system and with a blue sapphire cabochon set on the crown.

This timepiece adds a super-charged sparkle to the timepiece and it will not fail to gain attention from all those within its visible distance. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. 2015 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie.

This timepiece adds a super-charged sparkle to the timepiece and it will not fail to gain attention from all those within its visible distance. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. 2015 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie.

This crown will be well used for the Ballon Bleu de Cartier Vibrating Setting Watch is powered by the extra-thin Calibre 430 manual-winding movement.

Speaking of the crown, our take is that this Ballon Bleu de Cartier Vibrating Setting Watch marks yet another Cartier coronation in coruscation. After all, Cartier is “the jeweller of kings, and the king of jewellers”.

Derived from the Latin word coruscationem which originated during the late 15th century, coruscate means “to vibrate or glitter” when translated to English, according to the Online Etymology Dictionary.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary has another meaning for coruscation and that is, “a flash of wit”.

For us, both meanings can describe this Ballon Bleu de Cartier Vibrating Setting Watch – in addition to the charm of the glitter, there is the unending flashes of wit (in order words, brilliance) that Cartier reveals, year after year.

Not convinced? Well, let’s see what Cartier has to reveal at the 2016 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie. Stay tuned.