Guilloché is, of course, the specialized craft of engraving intricate, repetitive geometric patterns on watch dials, cases, and components using hand-operated machines. In the case of LV, they use a rose engine machine that dates back to the 1850s and took more than a year to restore.
A straight-line engine machine at the workshop is from 1935 and also requires extensive refurbishment. The ancient tools are operated by specialized craftspersons who have spent years learning and developing the know-how to create unique guilloché patterns and designs. We recently visited the workshop in Meyrin, near Geneva, and saw the process first-hand.
Andy Hoffman
2026-01-19 16:00:00