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THE BOLD BEAUTY OF SALLAZ POLISHING
Master craftsmanship delivers MR-G strength and functional beauty
We take MR-G timepieces to a whole other level of toughness and beauty by refusing to make even the slightest compromise in the finishing process. Our commitment to craftsmanship naturally calls for the intricacies of Sallaz polishing.
Take the design of the MRG-B2000. The Sallaz technique makes it possible to polish the watch’s distinctive case — with more surfaces than a typical watch case that meet in sharp lines — to a smooth, distortion-free surface with clearly defined edges, for a sharp, stylish form. Nothing less would do for an MR-G timepiece. Look to the MR-G line for elegantly bold designs borne out of beauty of form and embodying a uniquely Japanese aesthetic. This is the essence of the brand, and today’s models display it better than ever.
Our master artisans bring the Japanese philosophy of craftsmanship to their work every day, creating MR-G strength and functional beauty. The Sallaz polishing process requires highly refined skills that take years of experience to acquire, and each piece is polished by hand by one of these master craftspeople.
Sallaz polishing prepares surface for a beautifully smooth, distortion-free surface
The Sallaz polishing process creates a stunningly smooth, distortion-free surface. The case is pressed against a spinning disc dressed with an abrasive, polishing and preparing the surfaces for the next step.
Starting with a metal ingot, the watch case is first forged and then cut, and next polished and buffed to prepare the surface for the final finishes. Buffing imparts a mirror surface, but typically this process leaves metal edges rounded. By using Sallaz polishing to create a smooth, distortion-free surface, we reduce the amount of buffing time required, which means the edges where the components meet stay well-defined and distinct, not rounded. For the sharp, stylish form of MR-G timepieces, preparing the surface with Sallaz polishing is a step that cannot be skipped.
It is at the edges where the case components meet that the skill level of the Sallaz artisan is demonstrated most clearly. The master craftspeople who work on our MR-G timepieces are meticulous in their Sallaz technique, careful not to distort the shape of the case or upset its vertical and horizontal balance. Working by eye and by feel, they rely solely on the amount of pressure used to press the case against the polisher and the speed at which they move their hands to achieve a perfect polish. Only artisans who have devoted years of time and effort to mastering this polishing technique are capable of achieving the beautiful finish worthy of MR-G.
The wisdom of the craftsperson shines in the polish
The term Sallaz polishing comes from SALLAZ, a Swiss company that manufactured machine tools, including the polishing machines used for this process, over a half century ago. Since the original machines are no longer available, we make use of our own polishers and abrasives, which have been developed based on the knowledge and experience of our Sallaz artisans with this special polishing technique.
Dense, uniform hairline pattern for a beautiful, smooth finish
The rasp marks that create the delicate hairline finish are created by pressing the case against a sheet of spinning sandpaper. As with Sallaz polishing, the craftsperson carefully applies precise and uniform rasp marks, relying on an eye and feel developed over years of experience. If the amount of force in the fingertips and the speed with which the case is pressed against the sandpaper is not kept absolutely consistent, the rasp marks will be deeper in some areas of the case than others and the edges will not align properly. The intent of the designers and the skills of the craftspeople come together to create the dignified beauty of MR-G.
Working a metal ingot into an MR-G case
Watch cases are formed through forging and then cut. For MR-G timepieces, the case is cut before polishing using a machine tool equipped with computer numerical control (CNC), allowing the outer and inner surfaces of the case to be cut and shaped in 0.01mm increments and then an additional 0.01mm to be shaved off the shaped case. The polishing process then begins, with each individual surface meticulously polished before the MR-G case is finally complete.
