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The Flore et Faune is a hand-engraving masterclass delivered by Andreas Strehler

The Flore et Faune is a hand-engraving masterclass delivered by Andreas Strehler

Borna Bošnjak
  • Master watchmaker Andreas Strehler and master engraver Roman Houdek present a collaboration that combines their impressive skills. 
  • The Flore et Faune is available in either rose gold or platinum, with engraving options limited only by the customer’s imagination.
  • With Strehler’s UhrTeil AG supplying the movement, the Flore et Faune starts at CHF 165,000.

If you’re looking for the next haute horlogerie collection addition by an artisan that remains relatively underrated, look no further than Andreas Strehler. The Swiss watchmaker has a long CV with stints at Renaud et Papi, Chronoswiss, and H. Moser & Cie, as well as creating numerous highly complex pieces under his own name. The latest creation from Strehler’s ateliers is a combined effort by his UhrTeil AG movement manufacture division (developing for Harry Winston, Garrick, and Maurice Lacroix) and master engraver Roman Houdek. The Andreas Strehler Flore et Faune takes inspiration from the natural world around us and offers its customers nearly unlimited customisation options to be hand-engraved into a solid gold plate that doubles as a movement plate and dial.

andreas strehler faune et flore butterfly dial close up

So, let’s get right into it. While it may initially seem just like an openworked (though I wouldn’t call it skeletonised) gold blank, you’ll notice the natural motif wrapping around movement jewels as well. This was one of the main requirements in designing the Faune et Flore, as Strehler wanted to make sure the engraving was “in a watch, and not on a watch”.

andreas strehler faune et flore koi fish dial

The design is extracted from the solid gold material completely by hand, though the initial design and positions of the jewels are first mocked up on a computer. There are no hour markers to speak of, with only a set of blued steel hands tasked with time-telling. In fact, the dedication to showing off as much of Houdek’s skill goes as far as using sapphire crystal wheels in the motion works, something rarely used by any watchmaker.

andreas strehler faune et flore butterfly dial case

To go with your sold gold, hand-engraved dial, you have a choice of rose gold or platinum for the case, which measures 41mm in diameter, 10mm in thickness, and a compact 47.2mm lug-to-lug. It’s a really elegant oval shape, almost reminding me of a softened TV case. While the finishing of this example is all-polished, the name of the game here is customisation, so I’m sure any prospective customers who want some brushed surfaces will be able to spec them as such.

andreas strehler faune et flore movement caseback

Strehler doesn’t note the exact name of the movement powering the Faune et Flore, though the architecture resembles that of the Papillon d’Or very closely. This means a 78-hour power reserve, with a 3Hz frequency and a beautifully designed power reserve indicator sweeping across the caseback. Decoration isn’t overbearing, but it is executed to perfection, with clean chamfering and internal angles, and a wonderful combination of sunray striping, brushing, and polishing.

Andreas Strehler Faune et Flore pricing and availability

Each Andreas Strehler Faune et Flore collection piece will be built and customised on request. Price: starting from CHF 165,000 (~US$191,000)

Brand Andreas Strehler
Model Faune et Flore
Case Dimensions 41mm (D) x 10mm (T) x 47.2mm (LTL)
Case Material 18k rose gold
Platinum
Water Resistance 30 metres
Crystal(s) Sapphire front and back
Dial Hand-engraved 18k rose gold
Strap Black alligator with case-matching pin buckle
Movement In-house hand-wound movement
Power Reserve 78 hours
Functions Hours, minutes, power reserve
Availability Made to order
Price starting from CHF 165,000