Berd Vay'e Watch Component Sculptures

Masterminds in freezing time, Berd Vay’e offers an exclusive look into the secret inner-workings of watchmaking through its show-stopping, limited edition sculptures. Expert curators fastidiously source 150+ year-old timepieces with a true passion for horology – from collectible 18th century backwind pocket watches, to remnants of 1800s Americana in the form of stop clocks once belonging to railroad conductors. These timepieces are then deconstructed and painstakingly reimagined over one month of design work to expose the complexity that is the art of watchmaking. Each and every Swiss gear, barrel, wheel, spring and stamp is storied. Each is restored, polished and meticulously positioned to stand balanced and alone in precious, crystal clear Lucite, forever preserved through reinvention. Berd Vay’e breathes new life into the appreciation of horology with distinctive, made-to-order conversation pieces like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

Once gathered and sourced, Berd Vay’e artisans begin the exacting process of restoration, ridding the vintage watch components of oils and residues amassed over centuries. This ensures that the precious Lucite will remain a pristine crystal clear. The artisans place the components with a highly controlled method, ensuring total balance of size and color within the piece. Each sculpture then begins an arduous process of repeatedly placing components in layers of Lucite, and then baking in highly pressurized 8000° Oracle ovens. Each Berd Vay’e piece is baked up to 8 times, for 8-9 hours each and cooled over a 2-3 day period, carefully protecting it from the formation of air bubbles or imperfections. The cooled Lucite is shatter resistant, having heralded from its early use on submarines and helicopters. Each sculpture is then shaped and polished, requiring relentless attention from multiple artisans to complete every one-of-a-kind piece. Large sized Berd Vay’e sculptures encapsulate between 4,000-5,000 watch components, approximately one pound of the near 40 lb. art piece. Smaller sized Berd Vay’e sculptures utilized between 1,600-2,000 watch components and weigh approximately 6 lbs.

AUTHENTICITY: Each Berd Vay’e limited edition sculpture is presented in a polished mahogany case, lined in satin. Each piece is numbered and features accompanying gloves and a .925 silver plaque adorned with a semi-precious ruby, in homage to the jewel from a mechanical watch. A Certificate of Authenticity bearing the sculpture’s production number is included.

COLLECTION ROLL OUT: Horosphere (sphere): A spherical globe embracing both fluidity and precision; an exacting orb which allows the eye a 360° vantage point to the thousands of watch components housed within. Limited edition: 999 pieces. Time Squared (cube): Structured integrity; the Time Squared sculpture appears to tumble through time, resting remarkably mid-air -- a spectacular angular display of the watch components inside. Limited edition: 999 pieces. Lost in Time (skull): Design-forward modern art. Watch components are meticulously placed to emote humanity and the power of the mind. Limited edition: 999 pieces. Time Framed (picture frame): A juxtaposition of classic art display and inventive process. This backless frame allows for the same exposure of watch components through magnifying Lucite, presented as a hanging sculpture. Limited edition: 250-999 pieces. Time Measured (hourglass): Time presses on, but its heritage stands still, its components frozen in time in this Lucite hourglass shape. Limited edition: 999 pieces.