Say it with me: "guilloche." Also known as rose engine turning. I'm taking a 2-day course in it in December. It's apparently one of two courses offered in North America, and the other one hasn't been offered in five years. I'm prolly gonna buy a 17c Elgin movement, restore it, and throw it in a case to put around my wrist. Stay tuned. 
Guillocheur Kleinbl00...it has a ring to it. Let me know if you could use a designer. :) I found this just now! From 1:45 onwards the Chronoswiss guillocheur shows how they use their lathe. These guys found the machine second-hand in a garage, fixed it up and taught themselves how to use it. You probably already scoured Ebay, right?
That's pretty dope. I am now a fan. It's not entirely accurate to say that rose engine lathes aren't made anymore. They're still used in woodworking a lot. The guys who make the one I just linked also make one for a fifth the price who consider, as part of their team, the nice lady I'm taking my class from. (because OF COURSE Seattle is where an "antiquarian horologist" goth chick would end up) EDITED TO ADD: It's also occurred to me that it's pretty stupid to buy an antique rose engine lathe when a modern lathe, plus some numerical control, could make some pretty cool patterns. Can't wait for the table to show up.