Watch Word this Week: Grand Feu

In the world of often-elaborate watch decorations, Grand Feu enamelling stands out as the artistic technique for minimalists: Typically used to create stark and exceptionally glossy white dials, the technique involves the repeated firing of enamel-coated metal plates at high temperatures ("grand feu" means great heat in French) of more than 800 degrees Celsius. An expert eye is called for because with each firing, there is a risk that the dial might crack.

In recent years, Grand Feu enamelling has been used to give a stark stateliness to elegant timepieces. This year, for example, Hermes unveiled the Slim d'Hermes Email Grand Feu. (No, this is not a smartwatch — email means enamel in French.) One of the latest additions to Hermes' ultra-slim watch family, the 39.5mm timepiece is encased in rose gold and is powered by the H1950 automatic movement. Like other Grand Feu timepieces, this novelty affirms once again that a design does not need to shout to stand out.