Sergei Sofronov is a jeweler who creates unique watch cases for top-tier movements and gives them new life. He does not touch what is already perfect. Instead, he builds around this perfection a form worthy of its essence. Each creation is more than just a case. It is an artistic embodiment of an idea, where metal, texture, and lines acquire meaning.

Each of our collaborative projects with Sergei becomes a separate chapter in the development of an artistic approach to horology. This watch is no exception. On the contrary, it draws a line under previous works and simultaneously opens a new level of detail, artistic density, and conceptual integrity.

The case, dial, buckle, and every element represent a fully handcrafted and original piece of jewelry work by Sergei. The techniques remain the same: engraving, repoussé, chasing, and fine metal carving. But what distinguishes this work from the previous ones is the degree of plastic expressiveness and narrative specificity.

While previous designs used ornament and texture to create a mood and an image through associations, the new model introduces a main character. The snake is no longer just part of the decor. It becomes the compositional center. Its spiral-curved body is built with anatomical precision, from the detailing of the head to the geometry of the scales. The transition from flatness to relief is more tangible than ever. This is not merely engraving. This is microsculpture.

Repoussé is no longer just a decorative technique. It has become a way to model volume and control the direction of light. Engraving is no longer a background for ornament. It acts as a living backdrop for the scene. The case, crown, and buckle are designed in the same visual language, without simplifications. Even the strap buckle is made using the same technique and carries just as much artistic weight as the case. Proportions, textures, and motifs flow from one element to another, forming a unified artistic field.

The materials used in this project deserve special mention. The base is sterling silver of 875 grade, adorned with inlays of the purest 999 gold. Decorative accents include diamonds with a total weight of 0.05 ct. Despite their miniature size, they play an important role in the composition, bringing life to the scene and enhancing its spiral dynamics.

In this project, the strap became more than just a functional component. It offered a way to express a personal sense of balance and visual completeness. I selected a rare batch of python leather with a soft grey and white gradient and a velvet satin finish. This color palette is often associated with Himalayan crocodile leather, but in this case, genuine python was used. It helped support the central theme visually without drawing attention away from it. For stitching, I used super fine linen thread in a natural tone to emphasize the tactile warmth of the material. The strap edges were hand-painted in noble gold, echoing the interplay of gold and silver tones on the case and uniting the composition through color. The strap emphasizes the image and completes the composition, continuing its logic and aesthetic without contradiction.

You can read more about this strap in the Bespoke Objects section in a separate article dedicated to this piece.

I also recommend exploring our other projects with Sergei Sofronov. They are collected under the Sergei Sofronov tag in the studio blog.

Working on such pieces requires full engagement from every participant. But this is exactly where the true value lies. It is not only about creating a watch but about telling a story through details. And when this story feels cohesive even under magnification, the project can be considered complete.