The Journey to Grand Feu: Moving Beyond Cold Enamel

Every ETIEN watch begins with a question: What make a watch truly special ?
As a young independent brand, we’ve always been driven by the pursuit of meaningful craft — not shortcuts or trends, but materials and processes that reflect the quiet beauty of thoughtful work.

Our first dials were created using cold enamel — a type of enamel that offers impressive versatility and vibrant colour. It’s widely used for good reason: it’s practical, consistent, and forgiving.

But as our understanding deepened, so did our expectations.

We found ourselves wanting more than surface beauty. And so we made the decision to evolve: from cold enamel to vitreous enamel, and more specifically, the traditional and time-honoured technique of grand feu.

This process is slow, difficult, and humbling. We begin by CNC-engraving a guilloché pattern on a solid metal base. Then we apply finely ground glass (vitreous enamel) in thin layers, firing each one in a kiln at over 800°C. Most dials fail — they crack, warp, or burn. But the ones that survive tell a different story.

There’s a living quality to them — light doesn’t just reflect, it passes through the enamel and interacts with the engraved surface beneath. Each dial becomes its own small universe of texture and tone.

For us, the transition to Flinque enamel wasn’t about abandoning cold enamel — it was about choosing the path that aligns with our long-term vision: to create watches with depth, soul, and enduring beauty. Pieces that reward a closer look, and carry within them a sense of care.

We’re still early in this journey. But we believe in where it’s headed — and we’re grateful to have you alongside as we continue to fire, fail, and refine.