The Maneaters of Tsavo timepiece is the most elaborate collaboration between The Montana Watch Company and John Banovich to date. The design vision was brought to life through the efforts and skill of six master artisans who worked for over three years to complete the project.
The dial of the Highline Aviator offered the largest surface area, making it the most conducive for capturing the incredible detail of John’s Maneaters of Tsavo painting. The Bulino engraved dial was accomplished entirely by hand by Master Engraver Chris DeCamillis through a series of miniscule dots and dashes, resulting in an incredible, miniaturized depiction of the original 50” x 80” canvas.
The solid sterling silver case is embellished with extensive gold overlay, hand engraved and sculpted by Master Engraver Diane Scalese. The overlay elements on the bezel encompass an acacia theme.
The exhibition case-back shows off the hand-engraved ETA 6498 movement and features the signatures of the three artists who worked on the case. Leather smith Howard Knight created the one-of-a-kind, hand-tooled leather strap with gold lizard filigree, incorporating the acacia thorn motif. The strap is finished with a sterling-silver buckle engraved and sculpted to mimic the engraving and gold overlay on the bezel.
Finally, Jeffrey Nashan, horologist, owner, and founder of The Montana Watch Company, adjusted and regulated the 17 jewel ETA 6498 hand-wound movement, and combined all of the individual aspects involved in this spectacular artwork and finished the timepiece with a 14k gold winding crown complete with a hand-set tanzanite.
