Antti Rönkkö – Steel LABYRINTH Limited Edition
THE WATCHMAKER
Finnish watchmaker Antti Rönkkö wanted to design and manufacture his own timepiece because the mechanics of today did not fit his ideals for sophistication and perfection in watchmaking. He wanted total freedom for designing the complications based on the ideals of centuries old handcrafted watchmaking tradition.
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To truly understand a Finn, one has to first understand silence. The higher state of silence. Aware mental state, where thoughts and ideas form intuitively before creative expression. In communication, Finnish Silence is seen as unpleasant and uncomfortable because it is misunderstood. It's mixed with impoliteness, shyness, pride or arrogance – though it is ethnologically rooted from the appreciation of others and it means the aware creative fermentation of thought. For a Finn, silence means time for thought; creating something out of nothing.
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All insight; design, art and innovation are born in quiet. Realization happens when one has a break from thinking. Centuries of knowledge are woven into revelatory moments in watchmaking.
When creating a Rönkkö timepiece, the ultimate goal is to measure time without loss. From the watchmakers own unique perspective, to make the most of time, one’s focus on the moment has to be absolute. Utilizing the art of silence magnifies each and every movement. Perfection is hidden in the detail.
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Caught in the moment of pure focus, time and sound cease to exist. Each unique timepiece is born out of Finnish Silence. Watchmaker Rönkkö is totally involved in every minute detail, whether technical or aesthetic. Like a true master, nothing is left to chance.
Each Rönkkö timepiece is a culmination of long horologic tradition combined with passion, endurance and inspired Finnish design. The untiring timekeeper of Rönkkö is based on solid technical foundations incorporating centuries old knowledge and the highly prized tradition of watchmaking by hand.
There is an old Finnish proverb: Hiljaa hyvä tulee – meaning that the secret for greatness is born from silence. A timepiece of Rönkkö is a perfect example of this philosophy of life.
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THE MYTH OF THE LABYRINTH
In Greek mythology the Labyrinth was an elaborate construction designed specifically to contain the Minotaur. The mystic beast, part man and part bull, dwelt at the very center of the Cretan Labyrinth. The story of how the Minotaur came to be captured and contained by Theseus is a story all of its own.
Just like the mythical Labyrinth, each of us has our own beast at the center of the Labyrinth that conjures the illusions with which we have surrounded ourselves. Only by braving the maze and stripping away the illusion we call reality, can we then penetrate the center of our own Labyrinth of life. Like Theseus, finally facing the Minotaur, the myth in symbolic context is about confronting the unconscious dark side of the human ego; with a realization that only when facing all our fears and insecurities, we can find our true Self.
Created from our fears and insecurities, our personal Minotaur is a fearsome beast. It is created from the very things that we fear the most; from the things about ourselves that we do not want to admit exist in the darkest places of our hearts. It is our shadow-self; the part of ourselves that we continually deny. Only when we can find the courage from within to face the things about ourselves that we fear the most, then we can stand eye-to-eye with the beast and accept it as part of who and what we are.
Only when we realize that the beast does not define us, but instead makes us complete, then we can move past the darkness of the heart and emerge into the pure light of awareness.
Labyrinths in sacred sites around the world are used to help to achieve a contemplative state of meditation. Going through the maze; one loses track of direction, time and the outside world, thus quieting the mind.
The Steel Labyrinth can also be used as a tool for contemplation. The practice of meditation is proved to be the best way to gain self-knowledge and insight. Solving the Steel Labyrinth can be thought of as a personal pilgrimage; one can follow the path, ascending toward a quiet mind and deeper inner knowledge.
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By now the spiritual significance of labyrinths has faded, and they serve primarily for entertainment purposes, though recently their spiritual aspect has seen a resurgence.
The journey to the center begins with a single step.
Are you ready to face Your beast?
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STEEL LABYRINTH MOVEMENT AR 1
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Uncompromising spirit shows up in the number of years of timely design process. It took five years for Rönkkö to realize the design and movement AR1 of the Steel Labyrinth, giving him time to meet all his ideals and requirements; both mechanical and aesthetic.
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Only the quest for true perfection gives him the emotional satisfaction from his work.
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The passion for watchmaking and respect for tradition stands out through Rönkkö’s unique timepieces; design, materials and mechanisms without compromise. The construction of the 'Steel Labyrinth' is designed to stand the test of time and when looked after, will last a lifetime. The German silver used for the bridges is an ideal material because of its endurance and resilience. Due to these factors, the manufacturing and hand finishing is time-consuming and labor-intensive. And for these reasons, the number of unique timepieces remain limited.
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The design is inspired by ancient greek-roman myths, art and architecture; the still lines and steady curves are not there by chance. Fine-tuned mechanics are based on the path of least resistance. The energy has to flow freely through the fine mechanics created by Rönkkö. He has proven that a combination of traditional methods and his own insight work best together.
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Technical Specifications
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MOVEMENT AR 1:
• Manual wind
• Hours, minutes, small second at 7 o'clock
• 36h power reserve
• 18000 vibrations per hour (2.5Hz)
• 17 jewels
• Breguet balance spiral
• Movement diameter 35mm and height 3.5mm
• Plates are made of non-plated German silver, except pallet lever bridge and escape wheel bridge made from stainless steel
• Finishing of the movement: bottom side circular graining (perlage), top side straight line grinding, edges are hand bevelled and polished with many interior and exterior angles
• Movement is connected directly to the casing without movement-ring by two screwpins
CASE:
• Dragon foot design - diameter 41mm and height 11.5mm
• Hand finished, Stavax ESR hardened stainless steel case with satin finished surfaces and polished edges, completely nickel free
• Dial side curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflection coating inside, back side flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflection coating inside
• Stainless steel crown with AR logo
• Water-resistant to 3 ATM
DIAL:
• Complex labyrinth textured dial with black DLC coating
• Stainless steel index ring with 4 screws
HANDS:
• Hands made from stainless steel
BUCKLE:
• Hand finished, Stavax ESR hardened stainless steel buckle with satin finished surfaces and polished edges, completely nickel free
STRAP:
• Various types of leather
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In his quest for shapes and angles impossible to achieve with the modern machinery, Rönkkö takes a painstaking and time-consuming route in order to manufacture and finish his timepieces by hand. He follows the same path as the old masters before him and is proud to carry their knowledge with him.
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