Sartory-Billard SB04-E Tantalum Hand-Engraved

Case: 39.5 mm x 10.3 mm steel. Lug to lug: 46mm.
Dial: Tantalum
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m
Movement: La Joux-Perret G101, 68 hours power reserve
Strap: Orange Delugs silicone with butterfly clasp.

The tantalum dial combines polished and brushed surfaces. The dial is set in a steel case with beveled edges and a gently concave bezel, which optically slims the watch's profile. Thanks to its sophisticated construction and play of light, the watch appears more subtle than its actual 10 mm height.

A sapphire disc with applied metal indices and a Super‑LumiNova® BGW9 luminescent scale reveals the dial beneath, creating an impression of depth and airiness. The hands are diamond-cut, linearly brushed, and filled with Super‑LumiNova®, while the seconds hand features a polished tip for perfect light reflection. The screw-down crown is not only beautifully crafted but also practical, with luminescent filling and a logo on its front face.

Every detail of the SB04‑E Tantalum Hand‑Engraved tells a story of precision, rarity, and French sensibility for beauty.

The brand Sartory‑Billard was born from the vision of Arnaud Billard, a French designer and watchmaker who dedicated his career to seeking beauty in details and finding new ways to instill emotion into mechanical watches.

Arnaud Billard has over two decades of experience in design and product development, originally serving as creative director for several renowned brands before deciding to pursue his own path. His deep knowledge of materials, sense of proportion, and courage to experiment with rare metals and stones have imbued the brand with an unmistakable signature.

Since its inception, Sartory‑Billard combines modern technologies with traditional craftsmanship and collaborates with the best European workshops to produce the most unique and personalized watches for collectors worldwide. Behind every model is Arnaud's personal oversight, his artistic sensibility, and artisanal precision, which make Sartory‑Billard watches more than just timekeepers — they make them true wearable art.

Tantalum (chemical symbol **Ta**) is a metallic gray to blue-gray transition metal, belonging to the so-called strategic raw materials. It was discovered in 1802 and named after King Tantalus from Greek mythology — according to legend, he "refused to drink water," just as tantalum refuses to absorb acid. In fact, tantalum is exceptionally resistant to corrosion, even in the most aggressive acids.

What makes tantalum exceptional?

✅ **Rarity** – tantalum is extremely rare: it occurs in the Earth's crust at an average of less than 1 gram per ton of rock. Global annual production of tantalum is in the hundreds of tons, which is incomparable to the thousand-fold higher production of steel or aluminum.

✅ **Density and Strength** – tantalum is a very heavy (denser than lead), hard, and strong metal.

✅ **Durability** – it incredibly resists corrosion and wear, does not oxidize, and retains its metallic gray luster even after years.

✅ **Biocompatibility** – tantalum is completely harmless to the human body and is used, for example, in medicine.

The use of tantalum in watchmaking is absolutely unique and a privilege of top independent brands. Due to its high density, extraordinary hardness, and difficult machinability, the production of tantalum cases is technically and time-consuming — and therefore very exclusive.

Tantalum watches have a pleasant, cool weight, a subdued metallic luster with a subtle blue-gray hue, and exude a technical elegance unlike any other material.

Precisely because of its rarity, technical demandingness, and exceptional durability, tantalum has become a symbol of distinctive style for collectors and connoisseurs looking for something truly extraordinary.