Otto Bassalar

The Aegis is the atelier's tribute to the great high-jewellery pieces of the 1920s — a 39mm tonneau case in 18k rose gold, its dial skeletonised to reveal a hand-engraved serpent that coils across the mainplate.

The serpent motif is set by hand with brilliant-cut diamonds — one hundred and sixty-eight stones, each chosen and placed under a lens by the atelier's setter over three weeks. Gold Roman numerals mark the hours on a chapter ring in white opaline. The Kaliber FO-3 movement, skeletonised and finished with hand-bevelled bridges, is visible through the sapphire dial and again through the caseback.