Backes & Strauss “Tears of the African Elephant”

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In 2017, Backes & Strauss presented two unique masterpiece watches in support of the Tears of the African Elephant, a Japanese NGO founded by two Japanese ladies with an objective to make awareness in their country regarding the protection of African elephants. Japan is a major market for illegally sourced ivories from Africa. These watches were created with the official support and endorsement of His Royal Highness, The Duke of Cambridge.

Both watches boast the iconic oval-shaped case adorned with two rows of diamonds. The hand-crafted and hand painted dial of each timepiece poetically transports us into the epicenter of the NGO’s campaign. Whilst one timepiece places the African Elephant amidst the trees, the other shows the African Elephant sheltered by the ominous trees.

Backes & Strauss “Tears of the African Elephant” (RE.32.38.MM.D2R.RG)
With its rich red and gold-orange hues, this timepiece boasts a warm colour palette in a visual allusion to Africa. The sky is made of gold leaf deposited on a gold dial. The intricate and detailed sketch of the trees is hand painted by master craftsman. The bottom section of this storytelling dial is enamelled, as is the tusk of the elephant, whilst the rest is set with Backes & Strauss signature ideal cut diamonds. The eye of the elephant is a round brilliant cut emerald from which appears a teardrop made of gold.

Technical details
Size: 32mm x 38mm
Case: 144 round ideal cut diamonds, 1.59 carats
Dial: 109 round ideal cut diamonds, 0.33 carats
Crown: 1 round ideal cut diamond, 0.06 carat
Movement: Manual Winding
Bracelet: Alligator leather
Total: 254 round Ideal Cut diamonds, 1.98 carats

Backes & Strauss “Tears of the African Elephant” (RE.40.47.MM.D2R.RG)
The dial of this timepiece is in gold. The iconographic leaves have been hand- engraved and enameled by the ‘Grand Feu’ technique. Similarly to its counterpart, the tusk is enamelled and the rest of the dial is set with Backes & Strauss signature ideal cut diamonds. The eye of the elephant is a round brilliant cut emerald from which appears a teardrop made of gold.

Technical details
Size: 40mm x 47mm
Case: 136 round ideal cut diamonds, 2.93 carats
Dial: 215 round ideal cut diamonds, 0.82 carats
Crown: 1 round ideal cut diamond, 0.06 carat
Movement: Manual Winding
Bracelet: Alligator leather
Total: 352 round Ideal Cut diamonds, 3.81 carat ABOUT BACKES & STRAUSS