Renowned for its engraving and enamel painting workshops as well as its Damascene timepieces, Blancpain has added the Les Métiers d'Art Shakudō unique pieces to their collection. Of Japanese origin, shakudō is an alloy principally composed of copper and gold, which acquires a dark patina between blue and black, according to variations in its composition and texture. The black patina is obtained following a process called passivation, which calls for the application of a solution. This solution, which is composed of copper acetate —green gray—, has been traditionally fabricated in Japan where it is known as rokushō. According to the number of applications of the rokushō solution, the black becomes successively deeper and more intense. The shakudō was used historically among other things to create swords, decorative objects and jewelry.