PHOTO COURTESY OF BOUCHERON
Boucheron’s Quatre may be 20 this year, but rest assured, it continues to withstand the test of time. As its name suggests, the graphic style comprises four bands, each representing a distinct code of the Boucheron archives. And if you’ve always wondered how the four come together to create the one ring to rule them all, then prepare to learn the answer.
In celebration of the Quatre’s 20th anniversary, the French jewellery maison releases a set of savoir-faire visuals. For the first time, they offer a peek into the meticulous process behind the singular, genderless, urban design. This starts with the initial composition of the alloys, band cutting, shaping and sizing.
First of all, each of the four bands is individually fashioned with precise execution to within the nearest nano-millimetre. Digitally controlled machines achieve this during select processes to complement traditional jewellery-making techniques. One example is the stage of turning, which sculpts gold to shape the inside and outside of the band.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BOUCHERON
Each band then takes on intricate details. Firstly, there’s Grosgrain, a nod to ribbed silks in ribbon-making, which appears on the topmost layer of many Quatre pieces. Then comes a row of diamonds, set by hand to form the second layer. The third code is the Clou de Paris, a detail inspired by the cobblestones that line much of the city of love. Lastly, the Double Godron, a double groove detailing that forms the foundation.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BOUCHERON
After laser engraving, the four bands are ready for assembling and polishing by hand. It all comes together without glue or solder. Instead, using a press, the perfectly crafted final Quatre is completed with the signal of a soft click.
