News 
Lightness, harmony and openness are omnipresent in the creative work carried out under the impetus of Denis Flageollet, founder and Master Watchmaker of De Bethune, together with youthful Artistic Director Clara Martin, who are jointly breathing new life into Reuge. Onkõ was born of a desire to create a dialogue between metal and wood, to instil harmony between music and automaton mechanisms, to reveal a new creative direction.
The technical and aesthetic ambitions of the object have been matched by an exceptional range of skills in fine workmanship exercised at the highest level, whether in instrument making or in art mechanics. The magic of sound and the spellbinding poetry of the automaton movement is a soothing meditative experience that generates a unique sense of wonder and highlights exceptional craftsmanship combined with the technical excellence of sound mechanics.
Derived from the contraction in Japanese of “on” for sound and “kõ” for light, Onkõ opens and closes to music like a corolla.
Inspired by Japanese tõrõ lanterns and their symbolism evoking the five elements of the Universe: earth chi, water sui, fire ka, wind fū and space kū, Onkõ single-handedly embodies the five fundamental elements, while representing the audible metaphor and personification of the new Reuge brand identity.
Like a gentle whisper revealed beneath its slender blond wooden slats, the curves of its shape soften the rigorous discipline of its mechanics; the poetry of Onkõ speaks of Japanese minimalism that is a life philosophy inviting one to sobriety as well as an art of surrounding oneself with well-being, softness and lightness.
September 28, 2023