Manufacturer: Sartory Billard Year: 2021 Reference No: SB-04 Model Name: SB-04 Material: Tantalum Calibre: Automatic, cal. STP3-13, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Tantalum Sartory Billard pin buckle Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Sartory Billard guarantee dated January 2021, fitted box and silk cloth.
Catalogue Essay
Founded in 2015 by the eponymous Armand Billard, Sartory Billard is a new and creative micro brand with an incredible value proposition. Industrial engineer and designer, Armand has woven his creativity into a wide array of products, from petrol pumps to diving goggles and even timepieces. In 2019, with the inception of the SB-04, Armand conceived the watch that would make the brand. Built around a familiar architectural structure, the main efforts are devoted into elaborated and hand finished dials, hands, chapter rings and cases. Highly customisable, following the desires and inspirations of its clients, Sartory Billard experiments with avant-garde materials ranging from Damascus steel to carbon fibre composite to heat-treated titanium.
Cased at 40mm in diameter, the timepiece has presence and sits extremely comfortably on the wrist. Most notably, the present example is the very first tantalum case developed by Sartory Billard. Extremely difficult to work, tantalum appears to be denser at its purist form compared to other more commonly used metals, hence the reason why few watch companies experiment with it and why it has a certain mystique. Featuring a wide dial, narrow bezel, and domed crystal the present reference SB-04 wears easily and well. The crowning jewel of this Sartory Billard is the customised hand-hammered titanium dial that features an eye catching "checkered" sector pattern that ranges from a smooth surface to a grainy one. The heated blued sword hands elegantly contrast against the titanium dial further easing legibility.
Sartory Billard timepieces are made on commission, and with increasing requests the waiting time is now over 2 years! The present, possibly unique, example is in excellent overall condition and features a visually arresting checkered sector titanium dial, with heated blued hour hands and a titanium polished case with brushed flanks. Coming with its full set of accessories, the present reference SB-04 is certainly a unique opportunity to acquire an avant-garde and exceptional independent timepiece.