Introducing Sartory-Billard SB04E Nuances

An unlimited choice is not always an advantage.

Imagine walking into a bakery and choosing from a multitude of perfectly glazed fruit pastries - it's quick and easy. But if you're faced with an empty glass cabinet and the baker asks what you want, the endless possibilities can become a source of stress. For nearly ten years, Armand Billard has been running the horological equivalent of such an empty bakery. Sartory-Billard has become a renowned brand in the world of custom watches, especially thanks to its SB04-E platform - a canvas for creative dials.

If you can imagine it, Armand will create a unique watch using exotic stones or rare metals. While working with demanding collectors is no easy task, it makes Armand an expert in color and texture. This is why the launch of the new SB04-E Nuances collection fills the glass display cabinet, offering collectors a variety of stylish dial options. The letter "E" stands for Edition - a conscious and significant shift from creating unique custom watches to presenting a ready-to-wear concept born from the watchmaker's own mind.

The Importance of Color in the Modern Watch Industry

Until recently, the modern watch industry had a rather limited approach to color. Many manufacturers chose a safe hue, applied it to a flat metal disc, and watched the waiting lists grow. However, Armand asserts: "One color is never just one color," and he is absolutely right. Take, for example, a glass of red wine. In a dark room, it appears almost black, but if you bring the glass to a candle, the edges light up with bright crimson and ruby tones. The Nuances collection invites the owner to carefully examine their watch. The longer you look at the dial, the more depth it reveals.

Design and Features of the Nuances Collection Dial

To make color the central element, Armand abandoned some of his favorite design techniques. In previous custom models, hour markers often "floated" on a transparent sapphire disc above the dial. In the Nuances collection, this floating disc is removed, and the numbers are attached directly to the dial's surface. The dial is concave, resembling a shallow bowl, with a sunburst finish emanating from the center, creating a smoky background effect at the edges. When light hits the curved surface, a gradient darkening of the edges occurs, visually deepening the dial.

The font of the numbers is tall and slightly vintage, but without excessive old-fashionedness. The signature Y-shaped markers return, harmoniously complementing the polished pen-style hands with abundant luminous filling. At launch, the Nuances collection is presented in three dial colors, each paired with a rubber strap in blue, green, or red. For classic lovers, a stainless steel bracelet with alternating matte and polished links is available.

Color Variants of the Collection and Their Symbolism

• Green - a tribute to the forest, transitioning from dark woody tones at the edges to bright, almost electric emerald flashes in the center.
• Blue - associated with the ocean depths, shifting from cold steel blue to rich marine.
• Red - the most expressive of the three, reflects shades of exquisite French wine, transitioning from bright crimson to dark, rich burgundy.

Technical Specifications of the Case and Movement

The SB04-E case is made of stainless steel, has water resistance up to 100 meters, a diameter of 39.5 mm, and a lug-to-lug length of 44 mm - optimal dimensions for comfortable wear on wrists of various sizes. The case thickness is only 10.2 mm - impressively thin for a model with an automatic movement. Visually, the watch appears even thinner thanks to the inward-curved bezel, which reflects light and visually reduces height. The case combines matte side surfaces and mirror-polished edges, giving a modern and detailed look. The top of the case is protected by sapphire glass.

The transparent case back is made of glass, through which the Swiss automatic movement La Joux-Perret G101A with a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour can be seen. The main feature of the movement is an impressive power reserve of 68 hours. This means the watch can be removed on Friday evening, left on the nightstand over the weekend, and put back on Monday morning - it will keep running without interruption. The movement is equipped with a massive tungsten rotor on three screws for maximum winding efficiency and is specially designed without a date function to avoid the "phantom" date position on the crown.

Significance of the SB04-E Nuances Collection for the Sartory-Billard Brand

Sartory-Billard has taken an important step with the SB04-E Nuances collection, steering the brand in a new direction and offering collectors a fixed series with a limited set of options. For those prone to indecision, this series will be a relief, as it combines the best elements of Armand's custom work - his attention to textures and light - in the form of everyday watches. The collection treats color as a living, changing element, rather than just a flat hue, encouraging one to slow down and appreciate the hidden depths of a truly quality dial. It's a reminder that sometimes the ultimate luxury is not endless choice, but absolute certainty.

Prices and Availability of the Sartory-Billard SB04-E Nuances Collection

The SB04-E Nuances collection is available for pre-order, with the first deliveries starting in October 2026.

• Price with rubber strap: 3600 euros excluding VAT
• Price with stainless steel bracelet: 3800 euros excluding VAT