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Group 9184
Group 9185

Hands

Manufacturing Process
Objective

To produce ultra-thin watch hands from pure obsidian, achieving an impressive visual depth and reflective quality while maintaining structural integrity.

Aventis dedication to using rare and visually stunning materials led to the creation of the Obsidian Hands. Inspired by the primeval allure of volcanic glass, the Obsidian Hands were designed to not only serve as functional components but to contribute to the watchs visual impact. Obsidian, with its unique finish, adds a striking aesthetic that complements Aventis commitment to excellence in both design and material choice.

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Development Journey
Initial Challenges
Material Fragility
Obsidian`s natural brittleness posed a significant challenge. The risk of breakage during shaping and polishing was high, particularly given the ultra-thin specifications required for the watch hands.
Precision Requirements
Achieving the exact thickness of 0.4mm while retaining the stones glassy, semi-translucent properties required advanced techniques and careful handling.
Breakthroughs
Custom Diamond-Tipped Machining
Developing specialized diamondtipped CNC tools allowed for precise cutting of the obsidian without compromising its structural integrity.
Polishing Innovation
Aventi refined a polishing process that enhanced obsidians reflective, semi-translucent qualities, enhancing its dark glass-like finish while maintaining the hands structural stability.
overcoming limitations
Material Handling
Challenge
Obsidian's brittleness made shaping ultra-thin components difficult.
Solution
Custom clamps and vibration control reduced breakage during the delicate machining process.
Reflective Polishing
Challenge
Achieving a flawless satin-like polish on obsidian.
Solution
Multi-stage polishing with frequent inspections helped achieve the desired surface quality.
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Summary of hands Manufacturing Process
Total Manufacturing Time
278 hours
  • 01Material Preparation
    Process Details
    • Sourcing and cutting obsidian blocks to workable sizes
    Tools/Techniques Used
    • Diamond saw, custom cutting templates
    Duration
    • 58 hours
    Key Outcomes
    • High-quality obsidian blanks with minimal fractures
  • 02Precision Cutting
    Process Details
    • Shaping obsidian blanks into ultra-thin hands
    Tools/Techniques Used
    • 5-Axis CNC Machine, custom diamond-tipped cutting tools
    Duration
    • 106 hours
    Key Outcomes
    • Precisely shaped obsidian hands with a thickness of 0.4mm
  • 03Polishing
    Process Details
    • Multi-stage polishing to enhance surface properties
    Tools/Techniques Used
    • Special compounds, hand-polishing techniques
    Duration
    • 82 hours
    Key Outcomes
    • Dark satin finish on each hand
  • 04Quality Inspection
    Process Details
    • Checking for dimensional accuracy, clarity, and texture quality
    Tools/Techniques Used
    • Microscopic inspection, visual assessments
    Duration
    • 26 hours
    Key Outcomes
    • Flawless satin obsidian hands
Detailed Manufacturing Process
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01
Material Preparation +
Sourcing and Initial Cutting
Material Preparation
58 hours
High-Quality Obsidian
Each obsidian blank is sourced from premiumquality volcanic glass, chosen for its uniformity and lack of internal fractures.
Pre-Cutting Process
Diamond saws cut the raw obsidian into workable blanks, minimizing potential breakage and preparing the material for precision shaping.
Element
Function
Properties
Obsidian
Base material for hands
High durability, deep black material
Diamond Saw
Precision cutting
Clean edges, minimal fracturing
Element
Obsidian
Function
Base material for hands
Properties
High durability, deep black material
Element
Diamond Saw
Function
Precision cutting
Properties
Clean edges, minimal fracturing
02
Precision Cutting +
Diamond-Tipped CNC Machining
Precision Cutting
106 hours
Setup
Obsidian blanks are secured using custom-designed clamps that prevent any movement or stress during cutting.
Machining Process
Using a 5-axis CNC machine with diamond-tipped tools, the obsidian is cut to the exact thickness of 0.4mm with tolerances of 0.05mm.
Vibration Control
Special measures are taken to dampen vibrations, reducing the risk of fractures during the machining process.
Tool Size
Purpose
Precision
0.3mm
Fine cutting and shaping
±0.05mm tolerance
Tool Size
0.3mm
Purpose
Fine cutting and shaping
Precision
±0.05mm tolerance
03
Polishing +
Multi-Stage Polishing
Polishing
82 hours
Initial Buffing
A coarse polishing compound is applied to achieve an initial smoothness and remove surface roughness.
Microscopic Inspection
Each hand is inspected under high magnification to check for any flaws that could impact the finish.
Glossy Finish
The obsidian hands are polished with increasingly fine compounds, creating a dark, satin-finished surface. This final polish brings out obsidians natural properties and enhances its visual depth.
04
Quality Inspection +
Dimensional Accuracy
Quality Inspection
26 hours
Measurement
Each hand is carefully measured to ensure it meets Aventis specifications.
Visual Inspection
The hands are examined to ensure the obsidians satin polish is flawless and without imperfections.
Inspection
The luminous material is checked to ensure it is evenly applied and performs optimally in low-light conditions.
Microscopic Inspection
Each hand undergoes microscopic examination to verify its polish creates uniform reflection with no surface flaws.
Inspection Type
Criteria
Method
Dimensional Accuracy
Exact thickness required
Precision measurement tools
Reflective Quality
Satin-like finish
Microscopic inspection
Inspection Type
Dimensional Accuracy
Criteria
Exact thickness required
Method
Precision measurement tools
Inspection Type
Reflective Quality
Criteria
Satin-like finish
Method
Microscopic inspection
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Unparalleled Excellence
A Tribute to Aventi’s Craftsmanship
Remarkable Material Science
Aventi's use of obsidian for watch hands is a significant step forward in watchmaking. The dark, satin-like qualities of obsidian lend an unparalleled visual impact.
Symbol of Individuality and Exclusivity
The natural beauty of obsidian, combined with Aventis meticulous craftsmanship, makes each Obsidian Hand a masterpiece in itself. The fusion of unique material with technical precision exemplifies Aventis commitment to innovation and elegance in watchmaking.
Technical Details and Innovations
Precision CNC Machining
Achieving a thickness of 0.4mm with obsidian required custom diamond-tipped CNC machinery.
Enhanced Polishing Techniques
A multi-stage polishing process highlights obsidians natural depth, enhancing its semi-translucent aspect.
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A Star’s Journey, Your Legacy

starfire

$19,000 USD

The Aventi Starfire is a bold redefinition of luxury horology, inspired by the cosmos and crafted for those who lead, not follow. Within its one-of-a-kind Gold Carbon CFT™ case and intricately etched meteorite dial, it houses our brand-new FT-1-1-GL Flying Tourbillon movement, Swiss-made and Chronometer certified, and represents a statement of innovation and exclusivity. Exclusive and unique, it connects its wearer to the universe like no other timepiece ever.

only 20 strafire pieces will be available each month worlwide

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