Bernhard Lederer – CENTRAL IMPULSE Chronometer CIC 39 mm Edition

 

Bernhard Lederer – Tribute to the Masters of Escapments CENTRAL IMPULSE Chronometer CIC Gold 39 mm Limited Edition - 2024

 A challenge, both technical and aesthetic – elegantly resolved.
A delicate undertaking that required a thorough rethinking of the movement – and further optimized it in the process.

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A watch whose exterior aesthetic refinement reflects its interior
mechanical excellence

After winning the prestigious Innovation Prize at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève in 2021, Lederer's celebrated Central Impulse Chronometer is back in the spotlight. Today, the watch not only continues to impress with its avant-garde mechanism – which has been further refined – but also with its new, more sober aesthetic, presented in a 39mm diameter case.
 

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 This new creation marks a complete reinvention of the CIC’s technical innovation and design, pushing the boundaries of established conventions while preserving the tenets of traditional watchmaking expertise. Its updated appearance offers a modern and refined elegance, in sync with current trends.

Creative freedom, innovation,
and unparalleled precision.

Initially presented in a 44mm case, this horological masterpiece embraces a new era with a smaller, more contemporary 39mm size. This evolution is not merely a matter of size; it marks a significant mechanical advance with the introduction of a new triggering system for the constant-force remontoirs, designed and developed in-house at Lederer's Saint-Blaise (Neuchâtel) workshop.

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Lederer’s CIC 39 embodies creative freedom and technical precision, delivering a new contemporary elegance. Every aspect, from the 18% reduction in the movement’s thickness to the new synchronization of the seconds hands, represents a significant technical challenge, expertly mastered.

 This new offering highlights Lederer's dedication to maintaining the genuine spirit of its legacy, simultaneously advancing the frontiers of technical innovation. At Lederer’s Manufacture in Saint-Blaise, excellence is the standard. Leveraging its autonomy and savoir-faire, Lederer extends the limits of watchmaking traditions, while ensuring its essence and the core values remain intact.

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“When you alter the geometry of an escapement, there are significant technical implications and it triggers a domino effect. Developing theCentral Impulse Chronometer in a 39mm size was not merely about reducing the diameter; the movement’s height had to be brought down, too, to preserve the aesthetic balance. So this project went quite a ways beyond simple refinement or thinning out safety margins; that would have jeopardized the movement’s stability and reliability. In fact, every aspect and detail had to be meticulously assessed as to whether a redesign was warranted. Thanks to these very minute and very precise adjustments, we were able to reduce the movement’s thickness by more than 1mm, approximately 18% of its original size, which in itself is remarkable,” 
Bernhard Lederer explains

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For Bernhard Lederer, the challenge was as much technical as it was aesthetic. Mastering the complexity of fitting all components perfectly within a smaller diameter—ensuring they not only fit but also work seamlessly together, all while maintaining harmonious proportions and achieving the necessary finesse – to him, it was akin to navigating the fine line between what's imaginable and what's achievable.

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Reducing the diameter from 44mm to 39mm was a delicate endeavor, necessitating a profound redesign of the movement. Beyond raising the bar for precision and ingenuity, this process also opened new realms of creative freedom, unlocking a space for expression with even more possibilities of refinement. Here, reducing was not merely a matter of shrinking; on the contrary, it involved pushing the boundaries further, thinking differently, developing, and finding solutions to deliver uncompromising aesthetics and exceptional exactness.

Everything about this watch reveals
the passion and authentic vision of Bernhard Lederer

 The difference in diameter is immediately obvious; less so the real highlight: the new detent mechanism for activating the remontoirs. Developed entirely in-house, this redesign significantly enhances the watch’s reliability and performance.

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It represents a notable advancement beyond the previous system, which was governed by a Wankel disk on the seconds wheel. Although it was engineered to minimize interference, it was not immune to disruptions, however minimal they might be. In the new mechanism, activation occurs directly within the winder, reducing the force required to engage the system by a factor of 9. This innovative approach not only elevates quality, precision, and reliability to unprecedented levels, but it also introduces a contemporary masterpiece that pays tribute to the great watchmaking tradition.

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“As a result of this modification, the flow of force to the escapement is even smoother, ensuring exceptional precision and regularity throughout the duration of the power reserve,” 
explains Bernhard Lederer.

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Inspired by Louis-Abraham Breguet’s pioneering work on the ‘natural escapement’ and George Daniels’s innovative ‘Independent Double Wheel Escapement’ design, Bernhard Lederer revisited the escapement from a modern perspective. The inherent limitations of these innovations – the natural escapement was too heavy to ensure reliable performance and the Independent Double Wheel Escapement, while powerful, was only applicable to pocket watches – led Bernhard Lederer to develop a new geometry, aimed at adapting the novel escapement for everyday use.

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To achieve this, Lederer installed two independent escape wheels at the end of two separate gear trains, each equipped with its own 10-second constant-force remontoir. These wheels operate alternately, achieving a remarkable symmetry.
 
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With a detent mechanism that is absolutely one of a kind –its profile, its rubies, its lift angle, its direct central impulse – and therefore theoretically perfect, the result is a truly extraordinary system. This design minimizes friction and ensures the balance wheel receives energy with optimal timing, enhancing isochronism and stability.
 
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From the outset, a frequency of 3 Hz was chosen because a watch worn on the wrist has to contend with shocks that impact the movement's regulating components. These components must resume their operation as quickly as possible after each shock, a crucial requirement for ensuring optimal precision under wearing conditions.

An ingenious mechanism ensuring unparalleled precision
over the entire duration of the power reserve

The two escapement wheels, operating independently of each other, are each linked to a seconds counter. While the two seconds hands are also independent of each other, they are permanently synchronized, showing no drift in relation to each other until the end of the power reserve is reached.

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This is made possible by an ingenious new mechanism that activates exclusively towards the end of the power reserve, bringing the entire watch to a halt. Thanks to this subtle system, which can recognize when the remontoir is no longer wound, the Central Impulse Chronometer 39mm is protected from a loss of precision that occurs as energy decreases at the end of the power reserve. This ensures the perfectly synchronized positioning of the two seconds hands from full to empty.

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 The two escapement wheels, operating independently of each other, are each linked to a seconds counter. While the two seconds hands are also independent of each other, they are permanently synchronized, showing no drift in relation to each other until the end of the power reserve is reached.

 Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

This is made possible by an ingenious new mechanism that activates exclusively towards the end of the power reserve, bringing the entire watch to a halt. Thanks to this subtle system, which can recognize when the remontoir is no longer wound, the Central Impulse Chronometer 39mm is protected from a loss of precision that occurs as energy decreases at the end of the power reserve. This ensures the perfectly synchronized positioning of the two seconds hands from full to empty.

At the Lederer Manufacture in Saint-Blaise, which employs over 25 people, dials, hands, and indexes, too are manufactured in-house

 An interesting aspect of this dial’s design lies in Manufacture Lederer's ability to also produce its own dials, hands, and indices in-house, thus ensuring not only exceptional quality but also adherence to delivery schedules. The integrated manufacturing of these components, which are usually outsourced, reflects the brand’s commitment to uncompromising excellence and independence.

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The open seconds counter at 11 o'clock, with its hand sweeping counterclockwise, bears the inscription ‘Dual Chronometer,’ highlighting the two mechanisms central to the Central Impulse Chronometer. Watch enthusiasts who appreciate the watch’s functional duality will appreciate this detail, which underscores the mechanism's complexity and superior performance.
 
The other seconds counter, positioned at 8 o'clock, with its hand rotating clockwise, has been deliberately 'closed' to enhance overall readability and to avoid competing with the visual impact of the constant-force winding mechanism, a feature that further amplifies the precision and innovation at the core of this creation.
 
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The 'Lederer' signature, carefully inlaid in a cartouche at 5 o'clock, adds a further dimension of depth to this masterpiece. The letters, as if in bas-relief, reinforce the watch’s identity while underlining its exclusive character and attention to detail.
 
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On the case back, a second sapphire crystal, domed and beveled – an element as challenging to craft as the watch's front crystal – provides an exceptional view of the movement’s architecture. Three-dimensional, symmetrical, oblique, and open-worked, this design offers a visual feast. The barrel, gear train, winding mechanism, escapement, and balance wheel bridges are all skeletonized, showcasing slender geometric shapes.
 
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Indeed, the variety and remarkable execution of finishes, both above and below – including polishing, beveled and recessed angles, frosting, engraving, satin finishes, and both matte and polished surfaces – elevate the movement’s spectacular symmetry.

Independence and artisanal savoir-faire

 The engineering prowess embodied by the Central Impulse Chronometer 39mm, which was entirely conceived and created at the Lederer Manufacture in Saint-Blaise by the shores of Lake Neuchâtel, is matched only by its exceptional finish. 

 Bernhard Lederer is one of the few independent watchmakers who has been able to build, over the years, a manufacturing enterprise that today counts over 25 collaborators. 

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  This affords Lederer the freedom and autonomy to manufacture watches of exceptional quality, at the highest level of craftsmanship. Equipped with state-of-the-art CNC machines and other essential tools, every trade necessary for the creation of a complete wristwatch is represented and mastered within the Manufacture Lederer. Virtually all components are made in-house, including the watch hands, which are hand-crafted.

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A symbol of harmony and precision as well as a celebration of the blend between tradition and innovation, the Central Impulse Chronometer 39mm is a masterpiece by a dedicated and discreet watchmaker whose technical excellence and compelling design are underpinned by meticulous craftsmanship and exceptional finishes.  The Central Impulse Chronometer 39mm is available in white gold with a blue dial (galvanic treatment), and in rose gold with a dial in shades of gray. The two models are limited to a series of 20 pieces each.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Collection:  Tribute to the Masters of Escapments

 Name: CENTRAL IMPULSE CHRONOMETER (CIC) 39MM

Version 1: white gold 18K

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References: 

• CIC 9016.60.302 (white gold, blue dial) – limited series of 20 pieces
• CIC 9016.50.303 (rose gold, gray dial) – Limited series of 20 pieces

Version 1: white gold 18K  

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Case:
18K white gold or 18K 5N rose gold
Diameter: 39mm
Thickness: 10.75mm
Case back: Open, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
Water Resistance: 3 ATM, 30 meters
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Movement: 
Mechanical with manual winding, dual impulse escapement
Number of components: 212
Number of jewels: 36 rubies
Frequency: 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz)
 Power reserve: 38 hours
Diameter: 35mm
Thickness: 4.95mm
Specific features: Two independent barrels

Two independent gear trains
Two constant-force mechanisms
Two independent escapement wheels

Winding and setting: Winding stem with two positions:

Position 1: manual winding
Position 2: time setting
Stop-seconds for time setting

Finishes: All component decorations by hand
Fine satin-finishing, top and bottom surface graining, bead blasting,
hand-polished and beveled edges, inner and outer angles, bridges,
main plate straight-grained and beveled by hand on the top and bottom surfaces,
mirror-polished steel components.
Strap: 
Black or brown leather, saddle-stitched

 🔴 Retail Price:  CHF 136’800 (excluding VAT) 💰

🔰 Limited to only 20 pieces

First delivery : 2024


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BERNHARD LEDERER WATCHES
Contact us
Ewa Lederer, Sales International
Office time : 8.00 – 17.00
‭Tel. +41 32 552 17 10‬
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Bernhard-Lederer.com

Bernhard Lederer – CENTRAL IMPULSE Chronometer InVerto Edition

 

Bernhard Lederer – Tribute to the Masters of Escapments CENTRAL IMPULSE Chronometer 'InVerto' 44 mm Limited Edition - 2023

For the first time since creating the Central Impulse Chronometer, 

independent watchmaker Bernhard Lederer unveils a series 

in which the movement – along with its ingenious invention – is fully revealed on the dial side. 

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What was once only visible through the case-back is now entirely visible from the dial side. 

Except that the watch has no dial: all its mechanics are exposed, 

leaving no part hidden from view. Time can be read directly on the movement itself.  

 

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 The piece exhibits an avant-garde character and remarkable symmetry, 

weaving a deep connection between the rich heritage of horology from which it draws its inspiration 

and Bernhard Lederer’s distinctly contemporary craftsmanship as an entirely independent artisan-watchmaker. 

 

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Together with his team of over 25 employees at his workshop in Saint-Blaise, Switzerland, 

Bernhard Lederer is one of the very few independent watchmakers to produce almost all components in-house, including the watch hands, which are handcrafted. 

 

True to the innovative spirit of each of his creations, Bernhard Lederer 

has designed a timepiece with a profoundly reimagined aesthetic.  

A very limited series of only 18 pieces. 

 

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The Central Impulse Chronometer 'InVerto' series reveals Bernhard Lederer’s ingenious invention with a grand premiere: the mechanism has been turned over to present a front view from the dial side; allowing a full view of the movement’s ingenuity and architecture while the watch is worn.  

 

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What has traditionally been kept invisible at the back now takes center stage at the front. Instead of a dial, the entire mechanism is exposed, leaving no part concealed. Collectors of this exceptional creation will enjoy the experience of reading time directly off the movement. 

  

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Connoisseurs of Bernhard Lederer's craftsmanship will recognize his signature touch. His decades-long dedication to the art of watchmaking is driven by a passion for sharing the intricate workings of his creations with collectors. This enthusiasm for detailed mechanics, precise movements, and the 'beating hearts' of timepieces is vividly embodied in the Central Impulse Chronometer 'InVerto’. 

The origins of the CENTRAL IMPULSE Chronometer

In 2020, the notably discreet Bernhard Lederer was once again thrust into the spotlight of the watchmaking scene. Highly esteemed by major collectors and known for his reserved nature, he unveiled a movement characterized by rare ingenuity. Building on the foundations first laid by Abraham-Louis Breguet and subsequently refined by George Daniels, Lederer’s movement represented a logical and innovative progression.  

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Breguet, Daniels, Lederer — three pioneers spanning the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries. Their collective narrative weaves through three centuries, culminating in a profound exploration of the heart of mechanical watches: the escapement.   

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Understanding the Central Impulse Chronometer is not a prerequisite to appreciating the uniqueness of the timepiece created for Only Watch 2023. However, delving into its foundational principles is worthwhile. Why? For over 400 years, the escapement has been the epicenter of watchmakers' pursuit of precision and smooth operation. 

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While the Swiss lever escapement dominates modern mechanical watches, leading some to consider the quest complete, Bernhard Lederer took a different path. He pursued Breguet's brilliant intuition, focusing on a bidirectional detent escapement, convinced of its superior efficiency.   

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A truly innovative solution

With the detent escapement, the impulse is transferred as directly as possible from the escape wheel to the balance wheel. Breguet, for his pocket watches, had devised a system of dual escapement wheels operating alternately – and therefore linked by a pair of additional, energy-hungry wheels.  

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Breguet’s innovation became known as the Échappement Naturel (French for Natural Escapement). A century and a half later, George Daniels revived this concept for his pocket watch masterpieces, notably the Space Traveller I and Space Traveller II. However, this escapement functioned at a low frequency of 2 Hz, ideal for pocket watches, and required a twist of the watch to initiate movement.  

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Bernhard Lederer’s ambition was to transpose the concept from the pocket to the wrist. He began by elevating the frequency of his escapement to 3 Hz, suitable for reliable wristwatch operation. Crucially, he engineered a solution where the geometry of the escapement wheels in fact ensures optimal chronometric performance under everyday conditions. Lederer’s patented invention positions the impulse transmission to the balance wheel along a central line, inspiring the name of his watch: Central Impulse Chronometer.

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Furthermore, Lederer also proved innovative by incorporating a constant force remontoire into his escapement design. This mechanism stores energy before the escapement, guaranteeing consistent energy release. The Central Impulse Chronometer features two such remontoires, each with its own gear train and barrel.

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This combination of two remontoires with the escapement is a first in watchmaking history. It yields remarkable chronometric precision and exceptional frequency stability, validated by the Besançon Observatory and the COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres).

The Central Impulse Chronometer, fully revealed. 

The InVerto series now showcases Lederer’s ingenious invention with an unprecedented feature: the mechanism, ingeniously rotated to provide a full frontal view, is entirely visible to the observer. Elements previously seen only from the case back are now prominently displayed at the front. 

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Replacing a traditional dial, the entire mechanism is unveiled, with no detail concealed from sight – this collector’s watch affords the unique experience of reading the time directly off the movement. Additionally, the caseback has been thoughtfully designed for customization, catering to those who seek a truly personalized piece.

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Those acquainted with Bernhard Lederer’s work will find this latest endeavor consistent with his legacy. His devotion to perfecting the art of horology over decades, especially in the domain of clocks, stems from a deep passion for unveiling the intricate workings of his creations to collectors. 

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This passion is not just for the mechanics but also for their movement and their pulsating heart. This enduring philosophy is elegantly echoed in the Central Impulse Chronometer InVerto.

A monochromatic composition

 "Many enthusiasts had long expressed a desire for Bernhard Lederer to craft a variation of his Central Impulse Chronometer. Fulfilling this wish, Lederer's decision to invert the mechanism is a testament to his own deep-seated fascination with the beauty of mechanics. This choice is not just a response to external interest but a reflection of Lederer’s own enduring sensibility towards the art of watchmaking.

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This inversion results in a striking three-dimensional effect. The mechanism fills the space beneath the specially adapted convex sapphire crystal, presenting an architecture that exudes calm, order, and harmony.  

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This serene effect is cultivated by finishing the entire movement, including the bridges and mainplate, in black. At the same time, all of Bernhard Lederer's signature finishes find expression: satin, sandblasted, brushed surfaces, and, particularly, polished chamfers. In this unique timepiece, every detail is meticulously handcrafted, contributing to the monochromatic palette of reflections and textures.

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While the dual seconds hands, a hallmark of the Central Impulse Chronometer, are absent from the visible part, they are not forgotten in this new concept. True to his traditional craftsmanship, Lederer included a seconds hand on the back to enable COSC certification of the chronometer.

A team of 25: the force behind the CENTRAL IMPULSE Chronometer

Avant-garde character meets remarkable symmetry in a watch that forges an unexpected link between the watchmaking past and Bernhard Lederer's distinctly contemporary craftsmanship. As a fully independent and free artisan, Lederer brings a unique approach to this creation.

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The Central Impulse Chronometer was born in the Lederer Watches Manufacture, nestled between Neuchâtel and Bienne in Saint Blaise. Bernhard Lederer stands among the select few independent watchmakers who have developed their own production facilities over the years, now employing over 25 skilled individuals. 

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This autonomy allows the company to craft such exceptional watches, adhering to the highest quality standards. From the workbenches to the state-of-the-art CNC machines, every craft necessary for creating a complete wristwatch is represented and mastered in-house, including the crafting of the hands that immediately identify a Lederer watch.

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Ultimately, aligning with his commitment to innovation in each creation, Bernhard Lederer has crafted a timepiece with a profoundly reimagined aesthetic. 

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A very exclusive series limited to just 18 pieces, the Central Impulse Chronometer InVerto embodies the legacy of innovation passed down by the pioneers of Haute Horlogerie, a legacy to which Bernhard Lederer is a proud heir. 

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Collection:  Tribute to the Masters of Escapments

Name:  CENTRAL IMPULSE CHRONOMETER InVerto

Reference:             CIC 9018 InVerto
 
Case:         Stainless steel, black DLC treatment
Diameter:             44 mm
Thickness:             12.2 mm
Caseback:             Open, sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating
Water resistance:     3 ATM (30 meters, 100 feet)
Dial:         Hour markers engraved inside the sapphire dome 

Functions:             Hours, minutes, seconds disc on the caseback
Movement:             Mechanical, hand-wound
Number of components:     212
Number of jewels:         45 jewels 
Frequency:             21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz) 
Diameter:             39.3 mm
Thickness:             5.98 mm
Power reserve:         42 hours 
Special features:        Two independent barrels

• Two independent gear trains
• Two constant-force remontoires
• Two independent escapement wheels

Winding & setting:         Two-position winding stem:
Position 1: manual winding
Position 2: setting the time
Balance stop during the setting of the time
Finishing:    Superlative hand finishes. The bridges are frosted and hand-beveled, the wheels feature circular graining and hand-beveled spokes, the stone settings are hand-polished, and the steel components are mirror-polished.
Strap:              Black leather, saddle-stitched by hand