Round Table on Mechanical Art
The Horopedia Foundation took part in a round table dedicated to Mechanical Art, organized on November 12 by the Mechanical Art Association at its Geneva premises in the heart of the City.
Hosted by Marc André Deschoux, founder of Horopedia, the discussion focused on the expertise of mechanical watchmaking and mechanical art, highlighting their importance in the watchmaking industry. As part of the event, three main themes were addressed in the presence of prestigious participants.
The first theme, “What is art mechanics and why should we care?”, was explored by Denis Flageollet, Master Horologist (watchmaker) and founder of De Bethune, Ryma Hatahet, heritage Horologist (watchmaker), Fiona Krüger, artist-designer and creator of her eponymous brand, as well as Pascal Simon, archaeologist. Together, they laid the foundations of art mechanics, explaining its cultural and historical importance.
The second theme, “What art mechanics represents today: collaborations between craftsmen and luxury brands”, shed Light on rich exchanges between François Junod, automaton maker and sculptor, Benoît Augsburger, automaton maker in a succession process, Eric De Rocquigny, Director of International Operations and Crafts at Van Cleef & Arpels, and Marie-Adélaïde Lo, Head of Art Mechanics at Van Cleef & Arpels. They discussed how these collaborations enrich the luxury watchmaking industry while preserving exceptional artisanal know-how.
Finally, the third theme, « What could the future of art mechanics look like? What interest does it hold for the new generation?», brought together Jean Arnault, Director of Louis Vuitton Watches, Victoire Halter, jeweler, Clara Martin, artistic director of Reuge, and Arthur Delattre, tool fitter, to reflect on the future of this field. They discussed the challenges and opportunities for the new generation, highlighting the importance of perpetuating this art at the heart of tomorrow’s watchmaking innovations.
Inscribed in 2020 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO, these crafts stand at the crossroads of science, art, and technology. Generally hidden inside the pieces, these complex mechanisms can also be visible, thus bringing an aesthetic and poetic dimension to the objects. With a history spanning several centuries, this expertise embodies a living tradition emblematic of the Jura Arc region, straddling the Franco-Swiss border.
ABOUT HOROPEDIA
The Horopedia Foundation was created in February 2023 and recognized as a public interest organization. Its purpose is to contribute to the long-term success and visibility of the watchmaking industry by sharing, with the help of modern technologies, watchmaking knowledge, know-how, and the technical and artistic skills accumulated over the years, as well as those currently being developed. The Foundation Board is composed of Philippe Dufour (President), Dr. Helmut Crott, André Colard, and Marc André Deschoux.
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