As UhrTeil AG, the manufacturing arm of Andreas Strehler, employs Roman Houdek, a master engraver, Andreas had the idea of a collaboration for his own watches to showcase both the engraving skills of Roman and the watchmaking skills of Andreas in a combined creation.

Floral motives in an abstract form as well as the butterfly bridges are familiar motives on Andreas Strehler watches. This logically led to the creation of the Faune et Flore collection, representing the fauna and flora in miniature works of art in an Andreas Strehler watch.

In a watch, and not on a watch, as the not only an engraved dial was to put on a watch but the engraving and the watch and in particular the watch movement were to become a unit, one being an integral part of the other.

The photos are with the second engraving we made, called Etang des Koï, the second hand engraved bridge made inside the manufacture. Only bespoke piece will be made there, each client can choose what to engrave on his/her watch.

With the Étang des Koï, Andreas Strehler changed the element and a bit the continent but remained true to his ideas of design and beauty.

In the Japanese language, “koi” is a homophone for 恋, a sign which means “love” and “affection”. This is the reason why koi are symbols of love and friendship.

Ornamental koi are also symbolic of the whole Japanese culture and are still closely associated with Japan’s national identity. Well-known are the koinobori called carp streamers. This tradition began in the Edo period (1603–1867) and is still practiced today, when on 5 May, Children’s Day, colourful carp-shaped wind-socks made out of paper or cloth flutter in the wind.

The Étang des Koï evokes a tranquil pond for the koi to live in peacefully, move slowly and invite contemplation and meditation. Standing in a sculptured Japanese garden, looking at the tranquil pond with the sound of a spring gently burbling in the background was the feeling the master engraver brought to live in this masterpiece.

The Étang des Koï is an examples of what can be done. Our clients will have the opportunity to choose gold, rose gold, white gold or other materials for their unique piece of art.