This piece, limited to just 12 units, reflects the young brand's vision: to create timepieces where art and time meet with subtlety.
With this first « Métier d'Art piece », ALTO combines innovation, technical precision, and artistic expression. The Maison honors its commitment to traditional craftsmanship while pushing its boundaries.
THE FALCON EYE
At the heart of this creation: The «Falcon Eye» stone.
The Falcon Eye is a precious stone renowned for its shimmering reflections, with shades shifting between blue, gray, and black, punctuated by golden highlights. It has been used for centuries in jewelry for its aesthetic and symbolic properties. The stone is believed to possess protective qualities and a unique ability to capture light, giving it a captivating depth.
In watchmaking, its use is rare due to the challenges it presents at every stage of the manufacturing process.
The creation of this dial requires unique technical expertise to preserve the delicacy of the falcon's eye.
For the first time in watchmaking history, ALTO explores the possibility of working with a stone in such a complex volume.
A CASE AND CLASP IN GOLD
The case of the ART 01 FALCON EYE retains the distinctive proportions of the ART 01 First Edition. It is crafted from a 3N yellow gold alloy. This choice gives the piece a subtly luminous and warm hue, harmonizing with the reflections of the stone and the green nubuck strap.
Each surface of the case is carefully worked, with satin finishes that highlight the complex geometry of its contours. The folding clasp, also in 3N yellow gold, extends this minimalist and functional aesthetic.
The Nubuck Strap
The green nubuck strap of the ART 01 FALCON EYE completes the ensemble with a touch of modernity and subtle elegance. This material, chosen for its soft and natural texture, harmonizes perfectly with the changing reflections of the stone and the warmth of the yellow gold.
Comfortable to wear, it contributes to the visual and sensory balance of the watch, while asserting a certain boldness in ALTO’s aesthetic choices.
Volumetric Stone Marquetry
A UNIQUE Craftsmanship
To design the three-dimensional dial of the ART 01 FALCON EYE, ALTO had to push the boundaries of traditional craftsmanship and invent a completely new and unique process.
This innovative approach offers a groundbreaking visual experience, redefining the aesthetics of watch dials.
The first technical challenge lies in selecting stone blocks with enough thickness to accommodate the dial structure. Each block must then be sliced into flawless sheets without inclusions, while preserving the mineral richness of the stone — a crucial step in the process.
The second stage involves machining the stone into six segments that reflect ALTO's signature dial design. This unprecedented relief machining requires extreme precision due to the stone’s delicacy, its thinness, and the complexity of the pattern. Such dimensions had never been explored before in watchmaking or jewelry.
Finally, hand-polishing each stone segment is a meticulous process, demanding exceptional attention to detail to maintain the purity of the design.
The result is a spectacular architectural dial, with the stone gradually darkening towards the center to evoke the pupil and iris. This subtle gradient is the result of nearly a year of development, with only 12 dials produced — each unique, shaped by the natural fibers and color variations inherent to the stone.
This relentless pursuit of excellence, blending precision and creativity, perfectly embodies ALTO's visionary spirit.
This achievement is a true feat and marks the birth of an entirely new savoir-faire.
