Watches

Lost for words? These spectacular mechanics will fire up conversations in no time

19.02.2019

By Su Fen Tan

Lost for words? These spectacular mechanics will fire up conversations in no time

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel

In the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel lies Jaeger-LeCoultre’s first multi-axis tourbillon alongside a minute repeater with a Westminster chime and perpetual calendar—all fitted within a very wearable 43mm case. To achieve this, it called for the creation of a tourbillon that is significantly smaller than the watchmaker’s Gyrotourbillon predecessors, an admirable feat considering the complexity involved in mechanism size reductions.

Further ensuring the precision of this breath-taking timepiece is a one-minute constant-force mechanism, which provides a consistent level of energy to the power-hungry tourbillon. The perfect embodiment of both complexity and elegance, this is truly a testament to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s mastery in haute horlogerie.


Hermès Arceau l’Heure de la Lune

If any brand was to nail a whimsical take on the moonphase complication, it’ll be Hermès—and that is what the Maison did here with the Arceau l’Heure de la Lune. A twist on the already captivating double hemisphere moonphase, this model features the simultaneous display of moon phases in both northern and southern hemispheres with two floating mobile counters (time and date) that will rotate around the dial, indicating the current phase in a celestial game of hide-and-seek.

Adding to the cosmic appeal to this dreamy creation are the dial treatments; one version comes with a meteorite dial, resembling the surface of the moon, while the other glitters with a beautiful aventurine finish.


Vacheron Constantin Traditionelle Twin Beat Perpetual Calendar

Vacheron Constantin keeps the heavy hitters coming with the Traditionelle Twin Beat Perpetual Calendar, a perpetual calendar with an incredible 65 days of power reserve. With most perpetual calendars, the movement runs down when not worn regularly, so you’ll have to reset the indications when you put it on again. But should you set aside this watch and pick it up again about two months later, it will still display the correct date and month.

Behind that function lies spectacular watch engineering. Two oscillators lie at the heart of Twin Beat (hence the name), both powered by the same mainspring but operating at different frequency levels; one at a high beat (5Hz) and one at a low beat (1.2Hz). The patent-pending system allows the owner to choose the lower frequency when the watch is not in use, effectively putting it on “standby” mode. Now that is what you call a breakthrough solution.


MB&F Medusa

Looking for a living room centrepiece that doubles as a sculptural time-telling machine? Meet the MB&F Medusa. Constructed in collaboration with clockmaker L’Epée (their 10th creation together), the Medusa is a dual-configuration clock, housed in delicate hand-blown Murano glass with an ethereal quality that resembles the bell-shaped body of a mature jellyfish. At its heart is a movement that combines the winding and setting systems, engineered around a central axis to mimic the radial symmetry of a jellyfish’s neural column.

It can be set on a desk with a steel frame, or hung from the ceiling, where it can be further decorated with glass tentacles which will gently sway with the motion of the clock. Medusa comes in three different colours—blue, green and pink—each available in a limited edition of 50 pieces.


Ressence Type 2

Belgian brand Ressence first revealed the prototype for Type 2 at last year’s SIHH, generating much excitement over its intriguing e-Crown concept, where a tiny solar-powered module is installed within the mechanical watch, allowing it to reset itself to the right time when prompted. Well, the wait is finally over—enter the Ressence Type 2.

This has to be the most innovative integration of digital tech and traditional watchmaking we’ve seen. With the e-Crown, one simply needs to tap the dial to activate the system, which will digitally register the time. When the Type 2 detects 12 hours of inactivity, the e-Crown automatically holds the barrel of the mechanical movement to save energy. Just double-tap when you put it back on and it will restart the movement and reset the time. How cool is that?

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