To mark its 150th anniversary, Swiss brand Lebeau-Courally presents a unique watch that pays tribute to its roots – the Le Baron 1865. This remarkable automatic chronograph with black steel DLC case features a dial with Tapisserie de Liège engraving. This classic engraving showcases the passion for arts and crafts and the art of detail characteristic of Lebeau-Courally’s exceptional hunting arms atelier in Liège.
The art of engraving is embedded in the DNA of the Belgian city of Liège. The origin of the Tapisserie de Liège goes back to England in the 19th century where anglais or small and complex curls and rings were engraved in hunting arms. Belgian artists such as Hippolite Corombelle adopted the style, made it their own and further perfected the craft. The typical Tapisserie de Liège still is characterised by anglais in a complex composition with acanthus leaves, roses, ribbons and small natural ornaments inspired by the famous Louis XVI style.
Sometimes, carved elements are added, such as oak leaves, or laurel leaves. Lebeau-Courally’s craftsmen still apply the engraving by hand with hammer and fine burin onto forged steel to achieve a vivid and detailed relief. The Tapisserie de Liège design in silver featuring on Le Baron – 1865 stands out against a black background and adds an extra dimension to the watch face.
The Le Baron features a caliber LC 7753 automatic chronograph movement in a 43 mm stainless steel case with DLC coating. The watch is fitted with a black hand-sewn alligator strap and the watch is water resistant to 50 meters.
Founded in 1865 in Liège (Belgium), Lebeau-Courally has grown into one of the world’s most reputed houses for exceptional arts and crafts. Originally specialized in bespoke collectors’ hunting arms with unique engravings – each commission demanding up to 1,000 hours of work – Lebeau-Courally has extended its activities to watches and luxury leather goods over the recent past.
Every object is fully handmade in Lebeau-Courally’s in-house ateliers. With the purchase of the IMH manufacture d’horlogerie in Le Locle in early 2015, Lebeau-Courally has assembled the best watchmaker skills and metiers d’art, and will focus on the production of exclusive timepieces with a unique aesthetic language and high end complications.
