ロドゥリンヌ

時計の研磨師

光と調和して

光と調和して働く職人が存在するなら、それは間違いなく2007年からマニュファクチュールで働く時計の研磨師ロドゥリンヌのことでしょう。彼女は、太陽の光が最大限に明るく反射するよう、日々変わらぬ情熱でメタルの輝きを引き出しています。製造の最終工程である彼女の手を通過したスイス製ウォッチは、美しい光沢に包まれて出荷されるのです。

[A sustained note in the background]


(On-screen text: Chopard presents) 


(A close-up of a dial. Rodeline works at a machine in her workshop.)


When I first came to Chopard, I was 15 and I was looking for an apprenticeship.


(On-screen text: Decorating the caseback using a beading technique)


I knew it was a job you did with your hands, but I didn't know what it was all about.


(On-screen text: ART, from the Latin ARS, ARTIS. Talent, skill, dexterity.)


[Soft piano music plays]


(On-screen text: The word ART becomes ARTISAN.)


(On-screen text: From expertise to emotion. Chopard)


(A black and white graphite sketch of the palm of a hand, surrounded by the words EXPERTISE, CREATIVITY, EMOTION.)


Hands are really something for me. They're very important.


(A portrait of Rodeline.) 


(On-screen text: Rodeline, Watch-Polishing Artisan)


During my apprenticeship, I really fell in love with the job. Something happened and I thought, this is what I'm meant to do.


(On-screen text: Eliminating machining marks by emerising) 


(Rodeline polishes an engraved watch case back with the inscription "1000 Miglia". She tweaks the settings on the machine she is using and tilts the piece to shine the whole surface.)


What I love about Chopard is that there are so many new things. New models are launched every year, it's always a challenge, you wonder what's going to come along next. I really enjoy complicated things.


(On-screen text: Preparing for polishing by felt polishing)


It's really something...


(On-screen text: Creating radiance by buffing)


Nothing is more exciting than the first manufactured piece taken from the model, there isn't another, it's the only one, the first one, it's for the family.


(Rodeline shines a "Happy Sport" case, inspecting it and selecting tools to polish the entire surface.) 


(On-screen text: Polishing)


When I first see a brand new piece, I look at the material, the angles, I think about how to approach it, to work it. Each material has its little quirk, it doesn't react in the same way. You have to get into it, work it, caress it. And just because a material is very hard, very resistant, doesn't mean you should force it. You have to really work with the material to make it shine. Each brushed line is made to measure, the graining catches the light in the material and for me, machines can't do things like this.


(Rodeline meticulously polishes a bracelet made up of different metal surfaces.)


(On-screen text: Creating a matt effect by satin-brushing)


You can have 50 pieces, but each one is unique. If you can give a piece even more wow factor, you do it. I do a lot of touching up. It's quite normal that we have to touch up. Pieces are used, handled, picked up, screwed down, handed over, taken over there, put into trays... Accidents happen. I find it really satisfying to save pieces.


(On-screen text: Satin-brushing using a wooden stick coated with emery paper)


(Rodeline carefully buffs a spinning metal piece.)


Not being able to save a piece would be a failure, to have to call it a write-off. I always find a solution in the end. I can't see myself doing another job. I feel so good where I am. It's like a family. We're always glad to see each other. And it's so important, I think, to feel comfortable with the people around you.


(On-screen text: Chopard - The artisan of emotions - Since 1860)

「それぞれのクリエーションの形状と美観を保ちながら、素材が持つ最高の美しさを引き出すべく、未仕上げで委ねられる時計の外装に研磨を施します。経験によって培われた器用さのおかげで、私はこの仕事ができるのです」

― ロドゥリンヌ、ラグジュアリーウォッチの研磨師

ロドゥリンヌ、時計の研磨師

外装の研磨とは光を演出する芸術です。ケースやブレスレットの光沢を引き出し、輝きを引き立たせ、注目を集める。ショパールのアトリエでは、ラグジュアリーウォッチのクリエーションがほぼ完成に近づくと、ロドゥリンヌの作業台に移されます。情熱を秘めたこの研磨師は、2002年に見習いとしてショパールに入社しました。優秀なトレーナーから十分な知識と、質の高い仕事をこなす義務を学び、研修を修了した後、マニュファクチュールの時計の研磨師となったのです。 

特別な輝き

彼女に委ねられたパーツひとつひとつは、小さな旋盤と研磨ペーストを用いて、隅々まで磨かれます。そしてざらつきや微細な傷をなくし、ほこりを取り除くとすべての外装がまっさらな輝きを放つのです!こうしてロドゥリンヌは、すべてのクリエーションに特別な光沢を与えます。作業を終えた時計は並べられるプレート上で輝き、さらに、唯一無二の輝きに包まれた、彼女自身の瞳の中でも光り輝いています。彼女は作業中、自分が磨き上げるウォッチを目にするオーナーたちの姿を、絶えず思い浮かべているのです。

専門知識からエモーションまで

ショパールの「MAINS D’ART(その手で芸術を生み出す職人たち)」