Introduction of assertive new black dials for the C by Romain Gauthier Titanium Edition Bracelet
The three-dimensional straight grained black titanium dial provides an even more assertive character with its textured surfaces. The sharp contrast between the white details and the dark background enhances the time indications. This dial embodies a distinctly modern design while maintaining excellent readability, even in low-light conditions, thanks to the use of Super-LumiNova on the indexes, numerals, and hands.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
As for the sapphire openwork dial, it reveals the intricate components of the movement, showcasing the brand's sophisticated watchmaking engineering and artisanal craftsmanship. This openwork design creates a captivating interplay between transparency and structure, transforming the watch into a true technical and aesthetic masterpiece.
When Romain launched the first edition of C by Romain Gauthier in 2021, it was clearly stated that this new caliber would lead the brand to new horizons. One year later, a new door has been opened with the arrival of the brand's first metal bracelet.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
Sober and contemporary, propitious to variations and adaptations, C by Romain Gauthier was an obvious choice for the creation of a metal bracelet. The desire of modernity, comfort and ergonomic already initiated during the conception of the first edition, reinforced the development of this integral timepiece on a titanium bracelet - light, resistant, modern and sophisticated.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
Aesthetically, it was important to Romain that the bracelet and the watch become one. As he said: "The bracelet is the case, and the case is the bracelet". This desire is reflected in the fusion of these two elements, a timepiece as a whole that cannot be dissociated.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
In keeping with Romain's vision - The Evolution of Tradition - this new technical and contemporary element requires a high level of craftsmanship and hand finishing. Each link is composed of hand-polished and satin-finished surfaces that play with the light and reflect the technical nature of the bracelet and the piece in general.
Flow and continuity to the fore on an atypical dial
C by Romain Gauthier is all about modernity and continuity, both in terms of its movement architecture and dial design. If th e observer looks closely, he will see that the hour-minute hands are off-centred on the horizontal axis and the hour indices taper ever so slightly and are of varying lengths, while the 5-second intervals of the small seconds at 7 o’clock are also marked by tapered lines of differing lengths.
Romain explains this purposeful play on perspective, saying: “Rather than a series of enclosed circles, as we often see in watchmaking, I wanted an open, airy dial on which full or part orthogonal lines form vanishing points with the axes of the ha nds, reinforcing the notion of continuity.”
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
For enhanced legibility, the tapering, three-dimensional hands are made from Grade 5 titanium and filled with Super-LumiNova. The numerals and indexes are made entirely of Super-LumiNova, improving visibility, and reinforcing the modern feel of this timepiece.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
Presented in two distinctive versions—one with a full black titanium dial featuring a three-dimensional straight-grained texture, and the other with a partially openwork sapphire dial—these new references stand out as assertive and timeless.
The full black titanium dial, crafted from Grade 5 titanium with a PVD coating, features a horizontal straight-grained, three-dimensional texture. This design lends the watch a strong character, further accentuated by white details.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
The version with a partially openwork sapphire dial highlights the movement’s seconds mechanism and escapement, with the seconds wheel taking center stage. Beyond its mechanical function, this wheel is an aesthetic symbol unique to the brand. Its shape and openings are typical of Romain Gauthier wheels - the decorative circling and polished angles attest the care devoted to the finishing of each component.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
The partial opening of the dial also reveals the escapement assembly with the escapement wheel, balance and pallet fork. A decorative bridge on the lower part of the dial has been added - thanks to a special hand engraving technique, the specialists at Manufacture have reproduced the boucharder texture found inside the bridges on the movement.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
By opening the dial at the front and leaving the movement visible at the back, Romain Gauthier highlights heart of this caliber. Thanks to the decoration of each component, this timepiece takes on a new visual dimension - contrasts and plays of light bring this Grade 5 titanium movement to life.
An integrated design resulting in a harmonious timepiece
This bracelet was designed so that the wearer does not feel it; in addition to being light, it is also very thin thanks to the folding clasp integrated into the bracelet.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
The bracelet itself is integrated into the case by slightly curved lugs following the natural shape of the wrist. In this same objective, the links are articulated and assembled precisely to adapt to all types of wrists.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
Aesthetically, Romain wanted to develop a modern bracelet that would highlight traditional craftmanship. As with the rest of the timepiece, each link has contrasting finishes, with the surface being satin-finished while the connecting element is hand-polished, bringing both character and elegance to the bracelet.
Eye-catching case and bracelet rich in details
Framing the dial is a titanium bezel with an eye-catching, geometric profile unlike anything previously seen on a Romain Gauthier timepiece. The bezel is first machined into a round shape featuring a circular bevel before six straight sides are cut into it to create 6 facets. While these facets, which have been polished, reflect the light and bring the bezel to life, the rest of the bezel absorbs light thanks to its satin-finishing. The same facetted design is replicated around the sapphire crystal on the back of the watch.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
In between the bezel and caseback, the one-piece caseband and lugs are geometrically sculpted, with satin and polished finishes as well as aesthetic grooves cleverly deployed to draw out the resulting shapes. Meanwhile, the titanium bracelet with the folding clasp follows the form of the curved lugs, which have been adjusted to fit any wrist, and rounded caseband so it appears as a continuous, organic extension of the case.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
The finishing on the case facets is repeated on each of the bracelet links, a play of light accentuated by satin -finished surfaces and contrasted by hand-polished ones.Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
C by Romain Gauthier Titanium Edition Bracelet is a timepiece that should be appreciated as a whole. Each detail is linked to another, each type of finishing is featured on the case, on the movement and on the bracelet.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
As with the other editions of C by Romain Gauthier, the winding and time setting crown has been placed at 2 o'clock, freeing up space for the wrist movement. The fluted crown also allows an easy handling and provides an additional eye-catching aesthetic element to the case.
Clever stop-seconds mechanism that uses a snail cam
Romain has endowed C by Romain Gauthier with a stop-seconds – or hacking seconds – mechanism, allowing the wearer to set the time exactly according to a reference time.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
Like many stop-seconds mechanisms, a brake is placed on C by Romain Gauthier’s balance wheel when the crown is pulled out. But instead of using a straight or L-shaped balance stop lever to halt the balance, Romain has opted to employ a snail cam that performs a double function: It touches and stops the balance wheel when the crown is pulled out and, when the crown is pushed back in, the snail cam makes a turn, with its increasingly wide form giving the balance an impulse to help it start beating again.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO Those familiar with the brand will know Romain has used the snail cam’s unique shape in his past creations: It appears on the watchmaker’s acclaimed Logical One.
In-house movement where design and decoration meet modernity
The themes of modernity and continuity carry over to the manual-winding, in-house movement, which is gloriously on show through the display back.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
Taking centre stage are a number of finger bridges – historically typical of the Vallée de Joux, Romain’s birthplace – but reinterpreted here in a contemporary way. For starters, these bridges are horizontally configured and feature a ‘stepped’ shape – previously seen on some of Logical One’s bridges – that not only provides volume and depth, but also gives the sense that the bridges are literally flowing over the gears and balance wheel, with no clear end to them.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
Like the case components and the dial plate, the bridges are made from lightweight, natural Grade 5 titanium and they boast contrasting tones and textures thanks to a variety of finishes. The outer edges of each bridge all feature a double bevel, while the flat bridge surfaces and rubies are each framed by a raised border that has been straight-grained. Within these borders, the hand-finishing specialists at Manufacture Romain Gauthier have used a special hand-engraving technique to create a highly original dimpled texture. The movement mainplate beneath has been hand-frosted.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
The impressive decoration doesn’t stop with the bridges and mainplate: Romain’s trademark gears and ratchet wheel featuring circular, bevelled spokes have been circular-grained, while the click, snail cam and screws with S-slot heads – another signature of Romain – have been highly polished. Finally, the lid of the mainspring barrel has been embellished with a superb snailing decoration.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
----------------------------------------------
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Collection Freedom
Name: C by Romain Gauthier Titanium Edition Bracelet
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
Ref. MON00541 - Sapphire dial
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
Ref. MON00582 - Black Grade 5 titanium dial
Edition
Edition Non limited edition in natural Grade 5 titanium
Movement and finishing
Manufacture calibre C by Romain Gauthier
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
In-house, hand-wound movement
Dimensions: 32.10 mm x 5.50 mm
Power reserve: 60 hours
Number of jewels: 24
Number of components:
- - MON00582: 154
- - MON00584: 158
Balance frequency: 28,800 vph / 4Hz
Components made from: Titanium, steel, stainless steel and German silver
Finishing: Superlative decoration by hand
Treatment: Natural titanium bridges and rhodium-treated gears.
Features and indications
Off-centred hours and minutes
Small seconds at 7 o’clock with 5-second intervals marked by tapered lines
Super-LumiNova-filled Grade 5 titanium hands
Numerals and index entirely in Super-LumiNova
Dial and hands
3D structured dial in black Grade 5 titanium
- - Full black titanium dial featuring a three-dimensional straight grained texture and white details
- - Partially openwork sapphire dial and blue and white details
Off-centred hours and minutes
Small seconds at 7 o’clock with 5-second intervals marked by tapering bright blue lines
Super-LumiNova-filled 18k white gold hands and applied numerals and hour markers
Case
Material: Titanium natural Grade 5
Dimensions: 41mm x 9.55mm, lugs to lugs: 47.8 mm
Water resistance: 50m/5atm/160ft
Fluted winding and setting crown at 2 o'clock
Sapphire crystal with interior anti-reflection coating, front and display bac
Strap and buckle
Metal bracelet entirely in Grade 5 titanium, with an integrated folding clasp, also in Grade 5 titanium, supplied with an additional half-link to perfectly fit all wrists.
Total weight of the watch: 85g, including titanium bracelet and folding clasp.
- MON00582 – Full black titanium dial: CHF 42,000 without taxes
- MON00584 – Openwork black dial: CHF 52,000 without taxes
-------------------------------
Press release - 2024
-------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
www.facebook.com - Montres Romain Gauthier
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
www.RomainGauthier.com