Épargne – details of a black épargne dial on a Patek Philippe 2584

The black dial of this Patek Philippe 2584 is a fine example of the épargne technique, executed by Cadran Stern. The base plate is first gilded. The signature, minuterie and small seconds are then protected with a special lacquer, and the dial is coloured in a black galvanic bath. Once the black has dried, the protective lacquer is removed, leaving the gilt lettering and tracks standing out against the black.

The hour baton indexes and the 12 o’clock indexes are added afterward. They are fixed by “pickage” and then levelled by “limage”, as the reverse of the dial shows. This combination of pickage and limage was the standard method of the period. Together with épargne, it can be seen on other famous dials such as the Bao Dai.