Not just any random African mask, this is the unique Masque Mahongwé-Ngaré from the Republic of the Congo acquired by Monique and Jean-Paul Barbier-Mueller in May 1984 and was recently sold at auction in 2024 for a stunning result of 4,154,000 Euro. Taking a deep dive into the history and provenance of this intriguing Mahongwé mask uncovers controversy of its origin amongst several generations of researchers, art historians, collectors, and fieldworkers a like. At one point, it was even suggested that this mask inspired Pablo Picasso to create one of the faces in his most instrumental painting Les Demoiselles.

Like the other three timepieces from the series, a mysterious message can only be read under a precise angle of light on the sapphire dial. Deep violet letters spreads around the mask with magnificent words by writer Michel Butor. Giving the mask speech, the poem encircles the mask comments on the passage of time.

Loosely translated, the poem reads,

“On a voulu approfondir l’ombre où vous logerez vos yeux pour que les éclairs de Soleil, ou de flammes pénètrent mieux de leurs flèches pour tatouer non seulement votre visage, et la peau de tout votre corps mais les secrets de votre nuit”

(We wanted to deepen the shadow where you will lodge your eyes so that the flashes of Sun, or flames penetrate better with their arrows to tattoo not only your face and the skin of your entire body but the secrets of your night.)

Technically impressive, the perfect miniaturization resembles the magnificent original with great rigor. Exact proportions, every chisel or burin strokes of the sculptor as well as scratches due to aging are translated vividly into the micro-sculpture. Preserved in incredible condition, the present ref. 86070 cased in noble platinum invites watch collectors into a world of the unfamiliar with incredible history and creativity.