Dear Friends, Materials carry intent. Stainless steel was born in Sheffield's furnaces over a century ago, forged with the uncompromising spirit that refuses to accept "good enough" — the same defiant attitude that would later inspire metal gods.
We chose 904L stainless steel for Pavillon's cases and buckles not because it is rare, but because it embodies that rebellious refusal to compromise. This super-austenitic alloy shrugs off sweat, salt and humidity — where watches are tested most: on the skin, in motion, every day.
Resistance is only half the story. 904L takes a brighter, deeper polish than ordinary steel. Facets stay sharp; edges remain legible.
This is not marketing gloss; it is a material decision that shapes experience. A watch's definition must endure real-world use, and 904L maintains that sharpness without compromise.
Put plainly: 904L costs more to source and is harder and more expensive to cut and finish than 316L. We use it anyway because it keeps the watch looking sharp after years of daily wear.
MASTER OF CORROSION / RIDE THE POLISHING
We build our cases and buckles in 904L so every high-touch surface ages consistently and resists real-world conditions.
Case
Corrosion resistance: elevated chromium–nickel–molybdenum, plus copper, for superior protection in sweat, humidity and salt;
Finish: finer, brighter polish that keeps facet transitions crisp and lustrous;
Skin contact: chloride resistance prevents micro-pitting in a perspiration hot spot;
Uniformity: same alloy as the case ensures matched colour and sheen over time;
Abrasion: withstands daily fastening without greying out; a wipe restores the finish.
STEEL CAGE MATCH 904L vs. 316L
ROUND 1 — Corrosion resistance 316L offers good protection, but it is still vulnerable to chlorides and seawater. By contrast, 904L delivers excellent, superior resistance, particularly against pitting and crevice corrosion. Winner: 904L by superior chemistry
ROUND 2 — Shine and definition 316L develops a softer shine and loses its lustre more quickly over time. 904L, on the other hand, takes on a brighter, deeper polish and maintains both its lustre and definition for much longer. Winner: 904L by lasting brilliance
ROUND 3 — Machinability 316L is easy to cut and shape, keeping tooling costs low. 904L is considerably harder to cut; it demands higher precision, more advanced tooling, and greater finishing effort. Winner: 316L (easier to work with)
ROUND 4 — Cost of excellence 316L is relatively inexpensive. 904L is significantly more costly, reflecting both the composition of the alloy and the difficulty of working with it. Winner: 316L (lower cost)
ROUND 5 — Long-term stability With proper care, 316L holds up well. Yet 904L proves outstanding in this respect, resisting staining, ageing, and harsh environments with a resilience that makes it particularly suited for luxury watchmaking. Winner: 904L by extreme durability knockout
THE VERDICT: 904L IS THE UNDISPUTED CHAMPION IN LUXURY WATCHMAKING
316L scores on cost, but 904L takes the victory where it counts — on your wrist.
BETWEEN THE HAMMER AND THE ANVIL
Pavillon's architecture demands material intensity that matches its geometric complexity and chromatic boldness. Every facet, every transition, every line depends on 904L's lustrous brilliance to preserve visual integrity. From boardroom to backstage, gym to gala — the alloy holds its mirror finish while lesser steels fade to grey mediocrity.
This is metal that refuses to surrender. Like the riff that cuts through stadium noise, 904L cuts through time, sweat, and degradation. No fade to black here — this steel runs to the hills, leaving the corrosion of conformity behind. While ordinary alloys suffer the merciful fate of oxidation, 904L stands as the keeper of the seven keys, unlocking durability that would make even the metal gods proud.
We specify it because Pavillon's relentless precision requires a steel equally relentless. This isn't just paranoid perfectionism: for MIER—PARYS, it's the only way to deliver the goods.
☾⸻ With appreciation, Frédéric, Nadim et Marc MIER—PARYS ◉ Maison Horlogère
⸻ PAVILLON OPENS ⸻ 30 SEPTEMBER 2025 ⸻ FOUNDERS' NOTE —Pavillon Opens in 6 Hours Los Angeles 7:00 AM — Montréal/New York 10:00 AM — London 3:00 PM — Paris/Geneva 4:00 PM — Dubai 6:00 PM — Hong Kong 10:00 PM — Sydney 00:00 AM (WED) Dear friends, More than two years of work led to this moment. Below, we’ll walk you through the collection's key specs and how to secure your numbered piece. But first, we wanted to tell you why and how we made Pavillon and what it means — for you. We are three...
⸻ THIS NEWSLETTER HUMS WHEN LEFT ALONE. IT IS NOT READ. IT REMEMBERS. THEN RETURNS. (NOT TO WHERE IT WAS. TO WHERE IT WAITED.) ⸻ 07 ⸻ SECTION ISUBJECT OVERVIEW AliasThe CroonerIdentifier(REDACTED)Origin TraceArizona, Japan (NCT – Non-Cartographic Territory) PAVILLON « Crooner Solace » Réf. 25010211 Known Affiliations The Lunar Club Directive S.T.I.L. (Société Temporelle d’Intervention Lente, colloquially indexed as The Architects of Delay) Active agent under extended recursion mandate issued...
⸻ AGAINST THE CLOCK ⸻ 06 ⸻ PAVILLON Dear friends, After nearly two years of quiet development, the moment arrives. What began as sketches and material studies has crystallized into something we're proud to share with you first. As promised — the reveal. Tuesday, 30 September 2025: the Pavillon collection presale opens. 300 allocations. Four references. 75 each. When they are spoken for, the chapter closes. But first, a thank you. To show our gratitude to the house list — readers of this...