Sometimes, projects and brands are born from the initiatives of extraordinary individuals.
Christophe Schaefer is one such individual. He is the founder of Schaefer & Companions, which produces exclusive watches in very limited series. These models serve as a platform for human creativity, realized through collaboration with artists from around the world, creating unique handmade dials. Schaefer provides artists with creative freedom on a singular canvas - the dial, where concepts are executed using enamel, marquetry, engraving, and micro-painting. In his latest project, Schaefer collaborated with Spanish micro-painting master Andre Martinez. The result was the Schaefer & Companions Solune Antarctica Micro Painting model.
Meeting Christophe Schaefer and Creating the Solune Antarctica Micro Painting
Reading about Schaefer & Companions is one thing, but meeting the founder in person is entirely different. A few weeks ago, we were fortunate to speak with Christophe Schaefer, who provided a preview of the new Solune Antarctica Micro Painting model. A conversation with him reveals his deep passion for his brand. His enthusiasm is infectious and generates interest in the watches created in collaboration with artists worldwide. For the latest releases, he teamed up with Catalan artist Andre Martinez to bring to life an abstract vision of Antarctica's icy landscapes and polar waters. Previously, Martinez worked with brands like Bovet and Van Cleef & Arpels and is accustomed to creating works on small canvases.
Features of the Schaefer & Companions Antarctica Collection
Let's start with the canvas on which the artist creates their art. The Antarctica collection from Schaefer & Companions is a series of watches inspired by the majestic silence and beauty of the continent. Each model conveys the atmosphere of Antarctica, reflecting its frozen vastness, silent isolation, and resilience. According to Schaefer, the dials symbolize the human soul and our connection to the expansive icy expanses.
The artists are responsible for the dial design, while Schaefer designs the watches themselves, which serve as the basis for creativity. The Solune Antarctica Micro-Painting uses a proprietary case measuring 43 × 49.3 × 11.4 mm with a 12-point bezel mimicking the Sun and sharp angular lugs, making the large watch surprisingly comfortable. In addition to the standard stainless steel version, a gray ion-plated (IP) case is available, which is the version we tested. The dark background emphasizes the dial and brings it to the forefront.
Hand-Painted Dial: Details and Technique
If you enlarge the image, you can see that the hour markers are positioned on the rehaut, and each hour corresponds to a specific phase of the Moon - an interesting detail that adds depth to the watch's narrative. The main story, however, is the hand-painted dial created by Andre Martinez using a microscope. This amazing craft leads to impressive results. Martinez has already collaborated with Schaefer & Companions, painting the rotor for the Solune Médaillon Antarctica Engraving model.
This time, the artist had to convey the fragile beauty and silent vastness of Antarctica's waters. He worked on a black base dial, applying ultra-thin white and blue strokes with the highest precision. The organic pattern combines vibrant hues reflecting the changing colors of icy landscapes and polar waters. The dial appears alive upon close inspection. I am particularly attracted to its abstraction from a distance, which reveals its details only upon magnification.
Modified ETA 2982-A2 Movement
Above the dial are sharply defined hour and minute hands with a combination of brushing and polishing, ensuring readability. Curiously, the second hand is absent, but upon closer inspection, you can see a rotating seven-point star on the pinion - an indicator of the movement's operation, another interesting detail of the collaboration.
The reverse side of the watch reveals a familiar movement - the ETA 2982-A2 with 21 jewels, operating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and providing a power reserve of up to 50 hours. Schaefer uses the Top Grade version with an accuracy of ±7 seconds per day. The movement's finish is neat, with perlage and blue screws adding aesthetic expressiveness. The rotor is shaped like the sun and emphasizes the signature style.
Wearing the Schaefer & Companions Solune Antarctica Micro-Painting
On the wrist, the Solune Antarctica Micro-Painting feels like something special. These are indeed large watches with a design that will evoke different opinions. The size is understandable: Schaefer wants to provide artists with ample space for creativity. The angular design is a story in itself and a matter of personal preference. Personally, I was initially unsure how much I would like the combination of size and sharp lines, but in practice, the watch turned out to be very comfortable.
The large case sits comfortably thanks to the inclined lugs, and the thickness of 11.4 mm does not feel bulky. Another plus is the ion plating of the case. The dark gray color softens the visual perception of the bezel and allows the dial to take center stage, which I really appreciated.
Final Impressions of the Schaefer & Companions Solune Antarctica Micro-Painting
The dial made a strong impression. I particularly appreciate when hand-painting has an abstract nature, allowing different people to find their own meanings in it. In Andre Martinez's creation, the lines and swirls create an interesting visual narrative. Even if the story doesn't personally touch you, the dial remains a flawlessly executed work of art. The detailing is impressive - from broad strokes to the thinnest white lines, demonstrating the amount of effort put into creating this small masterpiece.
The effect is enhanced when viewed under a magnifying glass, where all the individual strokes are visible. This commands respect for what Schaefer and his companions are doing. Whether it's enamel, marquetry, engraving, or micro-painting - everything serves to embody the overall idea and craftsmanship. Therefore, these watches are distinct from mass-produced models. Christophe Schaefer understands this perfectly and releases watches in limited editions.
A total of eight Schaefer & Companions Solune Antarctica Micro-Painting models will be released, available on the brand's official website for 3,250 Swiss francs each. They are expected to sell out quickly. Interacting with people like Christophe Schaefer is inspiring and shows how much passion is invested in creating unique watches. This deserves not only recognition but also long-term support for future projects.
