ALB Sur-Mesure Level II: Creation of the “Eiffel” Watch
The bespoke "Eiffel" jewellery watch , presented by ALB, was born from the desire to create a personalised watch for a person working in the field of metalwork, passionate about the works of Gustave Eiffel and a motorsport enthusiast. Another major challenge of this creation was to integrate the emblematic colours of the car tuner Gulf , known for its shades of turquoise and orange.
Completion time: 3 months / Final budget: 2800 Euros
The Project
The client, a fan of metal constructions and particularly the works of Eiffel, wanted a watch that reflected not only his craft but also his taste for architectural history. His love of motorsport, particularly Gulf- prepared cars, added an extra dimension to the design. The challenge was to create a bespoke watch that combined elegance, technique and passion, while incorporating subtle details that recalled both the engineering of the Eiffel Tower and Gulf’s distinctive colours.
Research work
To bring this project to fruition, we undertook in-depth research to best symbolize the work of metal structures, and more specifically that of the Eiffel Tower . Several avenues were explored, such as using authentic pieces of the Eiffel Tower, recovered during its maintenance operations, to integrate them into the design of the watch.
After much thought, we opted for another equally symbolic solution: a period medal that was offered to the first visitors reaching the top of the tower shortly after its inauguration. This medal represents the workers in the middle of the construction of the building, a scene with strong resonance for the project.
Souvenir medal of the ascent of the Eiffel Tower in bronze dating from 1893, engraver Alexandre-Louis-Marie Charpentier (1856-1909)
Medal Detail and Personalization
The symbolism of this medal was perfect. We carefully selected the elements to be cut out to respect the original work of the engraver while adapting them to the design of the watch. The workers, immortalized in the medal, thus become a true work of art integrated into the watch.
To honor our client's request and incorporate Gulf 's distinctive colors, we chose a turquoise dial background and a carnelian sun, a precious stone with orange hues reminiscent of the car tuner's famous logo. This play of colors brings a modern and dynamic touch to the watch, while remaining true to the spirit of the brand.
Front of the ALB watch custom model "Eiffel". Here we can see the silver ring, a worker working on the assembly of metal beams high up on the Eiffel Tower on its turquoise blue background and its carnelian sun.
Manufacturing Time
The creation of this custom watch took three months , from the initial design phase to the final production. This project required not only great precision in the development of details but also particular attention to respect Eiffel's heritage and the aesthetics of the metal structures.
Conclusion
The Eiffel custom watch is a subtle and refined tribute to the engineering of Gustave Eiffel, while capturing the spirit of metal constructions and the elegance of motorsport. It embodies the fusion of history, craftsmanship and performance, and presents itself as a unique piece, tailored for a passionate lover of architecture and speed.