Chapter One Round Transparence

Once again the house of Maîtres du Temps have introduced an astounding watch in the Chapter Obe Round Transparence. The watch, a limited edition of only 11 pieces, once again offers the following complications: a tourbillon, mono-pusher chronograph, retrograde date, retrograde GMT, and two idiosyncratic rolling bars indicating the day of the week and phase of the moon. But this time, the focus is on the dial or rather the lack of it. 

In one word, Transparence. The high precision, laser-etched sapphire see-through dial invites you to discover the impeccably finished bridges, precisely beveled edges, and a symphony of mechanical complexity. A tour of the dial reveals central coaxial hours, minutes, and chronograph 60-second counter, tourbillon and day of the week roller at 6 o’clock, retrograde GMT at 9 o’clock, 60-minute chronograph counter and precision moon phase roller at 12 o’clock and retrograde date at 3 o’clock.

A truly beautiful time piece.

The case back with a window to the heart of the watch, caliber SHC02.1.

The dial, or the lack of one. 

Beautiful 18K Red Gold case. Each watch will be engraved with 1 of 11. 

Trademark roller displays at 12 and 6. 

Photographs: Maîtres du Temps

For more information:

Chapter 1 Round Transparence

Maîtres du Temps Chapter 3

Sometime ago I wrote about the Chapter 3 time piece from Maîtres du Temps. You can read it here:

Maitres du Temps

The watch is the combine engineering expertise of master watchmakers Kari Voutilainen and Andreas Strehler. They started work on the Chapter 3 in 2010 and the watch will make it's much anticipated debut in Basel 2012. I am sure it will as exciting as Maîtres du Temps's past creations. 

Stay tuned. 

Maîtres du Temps

Some interesting news from Maîtres du Temps: 

Taken from their press release:

'Maîtres du Temps is extremely pleased to announce that master watchmakers Kari Voutilainen and Andreas Strehler are developing Chapter Three. These two horological maestros join forces in developing and creating an original, innovative, world-premiere wristwatch with a completely new bespoke movement.

Kari Voutilainen, founder of Voutilainen timepieces and celebrated independent master watchmaker, is well known for his collection of decimal repeaters and Observatoire timepieces (the latter was awarded the 2007 Grand Prix de Gèneve award for Best Men's Watch) and for his new line of Vingt-8 models. Largely considered one of the most innovative and influential independents of our time, Voutilainen began developing Maîtres du Temps’ proprietary movement for Chapter Three in 2008, which is the first movement he has developed for another brand.

Andreas Strehler, well known for his work as an independent master watchmaker and the brand that bears his name, ingenious constructor, creator of the Opus 7, plus his own Papillon model, joined the Chapter Three project in March 2010. Strehler is closely collaborating with Voutilainen to develop the technical interface between movement, complication, and case, as well as innovative production methods.

“It has taken us almost three years to create this masterpiece, and it is amazing to see how it has evolved. The interaction between the watchmakers during the evolution of the project's development is exciting. There is great synergy with this watchmaking tour de force, and the true spirit of the independents shines through in this ground-breaking new timepiece,” says Steven Holtzman, founder of Maîtres du Temps.'

We will keep you updated once we have more information on the new watch. I am sure it will be just as awesome as their past releases. 

For more information:

Maîtres du Temps

Mr. Voutilainen and Mr.  Strehler

Photograph: Maitres du Temps

Chapter One Round

The Chapter One watch from Maitres du Temps is now available in round case. The watch was introduced in the recent Basel 2010. Now the Chapter One is available in both Tonneau and Round case. I have to say that I personally prefer the new round case of the Chapter One. Why? Well it looks more robust or more muscular as compared to the Tonneau case. I like the way the rectangular forms of the two roller windows merges into the round case. It looks very industrial and bold. At the same time the rectangular forms seamlessly integrate the straps of the watch.

As with the earlier Chapter One Red Gold Limited Edition, the Chapter One Round is a Limited Edition watch of only 11 pieces. Hurry if you want one. This watch is again developed by two well known Master Watchmakers, Christophe Claret and Peter Speake-Marin. As with other Chapter Ones, this watch will feature a number of complications: tourbillon, chronograph, retrograde date and GMT and the very beautiful rolling indicators indicating the day of the week and moon phase.

Basically let me bore with one final detail and let the photographs do all the talking. The basic specifications:

Functions: one-minute tourbillon, mono-pusher chronograph, retrograde date indicator, retrograde GMT indicator, day of week, moon phase, hours, minutes and seconds

Case: 18K red gold, 62 X 59 mm and 22 mm thick

Movement: 58 Jewel hand wind mechanical movement, 60 hours power reserve

The watch.

The dial is just awesome. We can see the central coaxial hours, minutes, and chronograph 60-second counter; tourbillon and day of the week roller at 6 o’clock; retrograde GMT at 9 o’clock; 60-minute chronograph counter and precision moon phase roller at 12 o’clock; and retrograde date at 3 o’clock.

The case back with the octagonal display window.

The movement. This is the dial side.

The case back view of the movement.

Exploded view of the movement, all 558 components.

For more information:

http://www.maitresdutemps.com/

Maitres du Temps Chapter One Red Gold Limited Edition watch

I have to say that this is one very nice looking watch. Which watch? It is the Chapter One Red Gold Limited Edition watch from Maitres du Temps. Maitres du Temps is of course the watch company founded by Steven Holtzman and is based in Switzerland. It is a place where independent master watchmakers can develop innovative, interesting and exclusive timepieces.

Here is one of the timepieces from them. The Chapter One, reference C1T.55.2E.12-5 is the product of two great watchmakers, Christophe Claret and Peter Speake-Marin. The most interesting aspect of the timepiece is the two display windows at the top and bottom of the timepiece. Within these windows, we find two rolling bars indicating the day of the week and moon-phase. These, on top of the following complications; tourbillon, mono-pusher chronograph, retrograde date and retrograde GMT (proper one with 24-hour scale). Additionally the watch is made up of 662 individual pieces, 558 pieces make up the movement and 104 pieces, the case.

From the photographs, we can see that the dial is very beautiful. We have the centrally mounted hour and minute hands. The red second hand is the 60 second counter. At the 6 o'clock position we have the one-minute tourbillon and the day of the week display (via a roller bar) below it. At the 12 o'clock position, we find the 60-minute chronograph counter and above it the moon phase (again via a roller bar). The retrograde GMT is at the 9 o'clock position and at 3 o'clock, the retrograde date display.

It may sound as if the dial would be very busy, but it is not. It is a brilliant idea to have the two roller displays in their own display windows above and below the main display. The red gold hands contrast beautifully against the black dial.

Powering this timepieces is the Maitres du Temps Calibre SHC02. This is a hand-wound movement beating at 21,600 A/h. It measures 51 x 32 mm and have 58 jewels. Power reserve is 60 hours. The tourbillon is a 60 second tourbillon.

The movement, dial side.

The movement.

Photographs: Maitres du Temps

The crown is a two position crown. Push the crown in to wind the timepiece and pull out to set the time. The chronograph pusher (mono) is centrally mounted within the crown. The other correctors (with integrated locking system) that you see, is used to adjust the complications;

date - corrector at 2 o'clock,

day of week - corrector at 4 o'clock,

moon-phase - corrector at 8 o'clock and

GMT - corrector at 10 o'clock

Finally the case. It is made of 18K 5N red gold. It comes in at 63 x 45 mm. It is 18 mm thick. All the crystals on the watch are made of sapphire crystal with double AR coating, except the crystal on the display back.

For more information:

http://www.maitresdutemps.com/