Anita Porchet
Anita Porchet | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 15, 1961 |
| Education | |
| Occupation | Watch enameller |
Anita Porchet is a Swiss watch enameller who works as an independent artist in the Swiss watchmaking industry. She is considered an expert enameller and a master of the craft.
Biography
Porchet was born on January 15, 1961, in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.[1] She first learned the techniques of enamelling from her godfather, himself a watch engraver.[2] She studied at both the École des Beaux-Arts[2] and the École cantonale d'art de Lausanne.[3] She earned her engraving and enamelling certificate in 1984.[1] Porchet apprenticed under Suzanne Rohr.[4]
From 1985 to 1992, Porchet taught crafting and enamelling at the School of Applied Arts in La Chaux-de-Fonds.[1] In 1993, she opened her own studio in Lausanne where she operated as a independent contractor offering watch enamelling services.[5] She started creating her own custom watch faces in 1994.[6] Her clients include watch companies such as Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and Piaget SA.[7] Describing her process for Patek Philippe, the company provides the motif allowing her to apply her own artistic interpretation to craft the final product.[8]
Porchet employs three different techniques to create a watch face: cloisonné, enamel painting, and mixing together both transparent and colored enamel.[6] She also practices paillonné enamelling, a technique which applies "microscopic specks of gold leaf to the enamel".[9]
Awards and honors
- In 1984, Porchet won the Patek Philippe Prize[10]
- In 2015, Porchet was honored by the Prix Gaïa in the Artisan-Creation category[3]
- In 2017, Porchet received the special jury prize at Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève alongside her mentor Suzanne Rohr[11]
References
- ^ a b c "Prix Gaïa 2015 – Anita Porchet. Craftsmanship-Creation". watchonista.com. November 20, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
- ^ a b Templeton, Lily (April 2, 2025). "Meet Anita Porchet, Watchmaking's Most Respected Enamelist". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
- ^ a b Français, Español (July 20, 2023). "The multiple talents of enamellist Anita Porchet". EuroPaster.com. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ^ Swithinbank, Robin (June 25, 2013). "Hard times for the hardest job in the world". WorldTempus.com. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
- ^ Besler, Carol (December 9, 2017). "Enamelist Anita Porchet Takes Us Behind the Scenes of Her Craft". Robb Report. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
- ^ a b Michault, Jessica (March 26, 2009). "One Swiss Woman Keeping Tradition of Enamel Vibrant". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 5, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
- ^ Bajpai, Neha S (October 26, 2015). "I still have not mastered the art". The Week. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
- ^ Stilcken, Alexander (June 29, 2023). "An Exhibition of Vital Importance to Thierry Stern: Patek Philippe Rare Handcrafts Tokyo". Swiss Watches Magazine. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
- ^ De Pimodan-Bugnon, Marie (November 20, 2018). "At home with Anita Porchet: Daughter of fire". gmtmag.com. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
- ^ "The three winners of the 2015 Gaïa Prize". Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry. October 8, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ^ Foulkes, Nick (September 23, 2021). "Meet the world's greatest watch painter". Financial Times. Retrieved January 11, 2026.