PS Horology – TSUBA Blue and TSUBA Dong Son Edition

 

PS Horology – TSUBA Blue and TSUBA Dong Son Automatic 80th Anniversary Edition 2025

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The first Tsuba timepiece designed by PS Horology, the Tsuba Blue edition is influenced by elements from early vintage wristwatches combined with modern materials and manufacturing techniques. 

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Classic index and hand design is combined with modern techniques of printing on sapphire resulting in a visual depth to the dial details.

Tsuba Blue details

The case is made in Le Locle, Switzerland from 316L stainless steel. Both front and back glasses are made from sapphire and water resistant to three atmospheres. 

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From 3 to 9 o’clock across the case excluding the winding crown the case measures 38.3mm and 8.91mm thick.

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The movement is made by Vaucher Manufacture in Fleurier, Switzerland, calibre 5401 with micro-rotor automatic. It measures in thickness 2.60 mm and in diameter 30.00 mm (13 ¼”’). The number of components is 176, and the number of synthetic jewels 29 with a personalised tungsten micro-rotor, turning on a ceramic ball race. 

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The power reserve lasts 48 hours, and the balance wheel is free-sprung. Balance frequency 3 Hz (21.600 A/h).

The Tsuba Case

The shape of the case was inspired by the tsuba (an example shown below), a shaped guard at the end of the grip of a Japanese sword that contributes to both the balance of the weapon and the protection of the hand from the blade.

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During the Edo Period (1603-1868), these guards evolved from simple and practical to highly ornamental and were made by whole dynasties of craftsmen whose only craft was to make tsubas.

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Although tsubas are now collectors’ items in the present day they were often heirlooms, passed from one generation to the next. Japanese families with Samurai roots often had their family crest crafted onto a tsuba, immortalising their lineage.

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Tsubas were fashioned in a range of different shapes, and this tsuba-inspired case is a hybrid of the quince shape and the octagonal shape. 

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The quince shape represents a cross-section of a quince fruit symbolising prosperity, while the octagonal shape, representing stability and balance from the number eight, was considered sacred and auspicious in ancient Japan.

The Making of the Tsuba Case

The Tsuba’s research and development began in 2019. Darren Jones provided the guiding design, and Peter Speake developed and executed the project. 

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The most challenging element of manufacture was the Tsuba’s case, because of its scalloped and rounded surfaces, which are complex to machine and hand finish.

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The decoration of the case requires a five-stage finishing process, including brushing of the external surfaces and polishing of the concave surfaces. A range of different techniques were used to protect the polished surfaces from being touched during the graining process.

The Tsuba Dong Son

The timepiece was born from a curiosity about the culture, history, and artistry that I experienced during my early travels to Asia, combined with a request to represent this in the form of an original watch.

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The Tsuba Dong Son reflects a cultural essence of Asia with influences from both Vietnamese and Japanese history and craft. 

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Artistry from these regions is represented by the Tsuba case, inspired by elements found on Japanese swords, and the Dong Son dial that carries symbols found on ancient Vietnamese ceremonial Bronze Age drums.

The Dong Son Dial

The dial of the timepiece features concentric circles of symbols taken from Dong Son drums, paired with shaped hands bearing the forms of Dong Son spears. 

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Discovered by archaeologists in 1924, the Dong Son culture was a Bronze Age civilisation that flourished in northern Vietnam between 1000 BC and the first century AD.

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Its people were highly skilled bronze casters, who left behind a rich window into their ancient culture in the form of giant ceremonial Dong Son drums that were used for warfare, mourning, festivals and prayers.

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Decorated with intricate geometric patterns, mythical creatures, warriors, and ritual scenes of daily life, these masterpieces have become symbols of Vietnamese culture from over 2000 years ago. 

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The completion of the Tsuba Dong Son timepiece in 2024 marks one hundred years since the discovery of the Dong Son civilisation in 1924, and its launch in 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

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An integrated bracelet will be available to add to the original Tsuba Dong Son by mid 2025

They are available via PS-Horology in Switzerland, Miluxe in Vietnam, and Martin Pulli in the USA. For more, visit ps-horology.com. 

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Collection: TSUBA 

Model:    TSUBA Blue Automatic Limited edition of 100 pieces

Model:    TSUBA Dong Son Automatic Limited edition of 80 pieces

Case:
316L stainless steel 
Diameter: 38.3mm across x 8.91mm thick 
Square-shaped with scalloped corners 
Brushed and polished surfaces 
Cushion-shaped and domed sapphire crystal 
Water-resistant - 30m
Engraved caseback held by four screws and a sapphire crystal window
Dial:
Tsuba Blue 
Sapphire with printed tracks and indices, with lacquer on the underside and an anodized metal frame 
Blued steel handset 
Tsuba Dong Son  
Gold-crafted dial with ultramarine or slate base and engravings inspired by the Dong Son ceremonial drums 
Blued dagger-shaped hands; hours and minutes via central hands, running seconds subdial at 6 o'clock
Movement:
Vaucher Manufacture calibre 5401
Automatic with a tungsten micro-rotor 
Frequency 3 Hz (21.600 A/h)
Free-sprung balance wheel 
48-hour power reserve 
Hours, minutes, seconds
Bracelet:
Integrated stainless steel bracelet with a folding clasp 
Synthetic humidity-resistant straps in blue or brown (Tsuba Dong Son edition)

Availability: 🔰 Tsuba Blue is limited to 100 pcs, Tsuba Dong Son is limited to 80 pcs
available to pre-order (30% deposit required) via PS-Horology in Switzerland, Miluxe in Vietnam and Martin Pulli in the USA, deliveries by August 2025

🔴 Price: 
 CHF 19,500, excl. tax and shipping (Tsuba Blue) the price of the Tsuba Dong Son is only upon request via Miluxe in Vietnam or PS Horology

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Peter Speake is an independent watchmaker with over 35 years’ experience in the watchmaking industry. He trained at Hackney College in London in the mid-eighties before attending the Swiss watchmaking school WOSTEP in Neuchatel and began his career in the early nineties restoring antique and vintage timepieces in Piccadilly, London.

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Between 1996 and 2000, he worked for Renaud & Papi in Le Locle, Switzerland, after which he co-founded and developed the Speake-Marin brand in 2002 where he remained the watchmaker until 2017.

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 SPEAKE-MARIN – Diamond MAGISTER Dong Son Tourbillon 👉(2016)

Peter spent the next five years at an educational watchmaking platform with access to numerous mainstream commercial brands as well as independent artisanal watch houses to explore their watchmaking by deconstructing, photographing, and demonstrating an extensive array of their timepieces.

 

His previously published collaborations include Harry Winston (Ex-centre Tourbillon), Maitres du Temps (Chapter 1), MB&F (Horological machine No.1), The Wostep Watch (For OnlyWatch), Frederique Constant (QP), and Schwartz Etienne (Phoenix).

Peter founded his new brand PS Horology in 2022  Please click here for a detailed  BIO

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Maitres du Temps – Fine Arts Chapter POCKET Watch Tourbillon "Chinese Zodiac"

Maitres du Temps – Fine Arts Chapter POCKET Watch Gold Tourbillon "Chinese Zodiac" - Unique Pièce

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A NEW CHAPTER FOR 

MAÎTRES DU TEMPS – FINE ARTS
Pocket Watch – Piece unique

Maîtres du Temps continues its cultural approach to the conception of superlative timepieces with a merging of fine watchmaking and artistic expression. The next stage in the journey of Maîtres du Temps is the creation of a series of pocket watches, each a unique piece representing one of 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac.

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By manufacturing wristwatches embodying the aspirations and talents of the world’s finest watch makers, Maîtres du Temps demonstrated its commitment to technical excellence. In the Fine Arts Chapter, the collaboration embraces the aesthetic elements, looking to the Far East and using the Chinese decorative arts to complement a decidedly Swiss entity, realizing the essence of an objet d’art.

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Blending the two cultures, the Asian and the European, demanded a second, simultaneous blend, that of Art and Mechanics. The pocket watches embody the notions of both “Maîtres des Arts” and “Maîtres du Temps,” while also voicing a tenet close to the heart of Maîtres du Temps founder, Mr. Steven Holtzman: “Culture is like a bridge, one that connects the disparate elements of a civilization.”

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For Mr. Fan Zeng, the artist undertaking this challenge, the occasion to work with Maîtres du Temps calls on his myriad talents as a renowned author, humanitarian, poet, and painter.

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According to the Chinese Concept of Masters, this polymath is regarded as “a perfect master.” As a champion of “returning to the classics and nature,” Mr. Fan Zeng recognizes in Maîtres du Temps a like-minded facilitator. Steven Holtzman says, “It is an honour and privilege for Maîtres du Temps to work with Mr. Fan Zeng, as he is the epitome of everything our brand represents.”

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12 original paintings have been produced by Mr Fan Zeng to adorn the white onyx dials of watches that complement his technical specifications. It is yet another blend, one of simplicity and complexity.

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The watch devised for this project shows only the hours and the minutes, yet its back reveals a power reserve indicator and a one-minute tourbillon.

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Each dial highlights both the animal and the personality traits of the zodiac sign it represents. Mr Fan Zeng also includes human beings in the design, to better convey the spirit of each sign, from the delightful Year of The Pig and Year of the Rabbit, to the majesty of the Year of the Dragon.

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Steven Holtzman says, “By collaborating with Mr. Fan Zeng, Maîtres du Temps has been able to bring about the perfect mixture of art, mechanics, and history on a grand level.” Mr Fan Zeng adds, “I believe that this watch will be a very important part of horological history.”

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  Mr Fan Zeng
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Zodiac signs signification

The above images describe the harmony between man and nature.

- Horse symbolizes Speed.
Zhong Kui rides a horse to get rid of evildoers.

- Goat symbolizes Beauty.
A beautiful girl tends to her goats by Lake Baikal.

- Monkey symbolizes Friendship.
Monkeys in the forest also have feelings and befriend an old man.

- Roosters symbolize Joy.
Children play with young roosters in the spring breeze.

- Dog symbolizes Loyalty.
A child is waiting for the arrival of a guest with his dog.

- Pig symbolizes Harmony.
A child is playing tai chi with a piglet and everything is harmonious.

- Rat symbolizes Integrity.
See The Classic of Poetry: “Behold a rat! Its skin has a glossy sheen! Then know that man's demeanor is odious and mean!” It means that even a rat has a sense of shame. How can a man be shameless?

- Ox symbolizes Hard Working.
See Going Home by Tao Yuanming: “Country folk will come to tell me that spring has come, and that farming will begin in the western field.” It means that - farming starts when spring comes.

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- Tiger symbolizes Power.
A tiger is powerful.

- Rabbit symbolizes Prosperity.
In a year with a good harvest, children feed rabbits with vegetables.

- Dragon symbolizes Energy.
Sengyao, a famous painter, did not paint the eyes when he painted dragons. When he did paint the eyes, the dragon came to life and flew away.

- Snake symbolizes Rhythm.
The snake understands music and dances to the rhythm.

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Technical Specifications

Collection: FINE ARTS

Model: POCKET WATCH – Pièce Unique
Pièce unique – each piece representing one of 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac

Movement
Caliber SHC08
Manual winding mechanical movement
Dimensions: 32.8 mm x 6.36 mm
Number of components: 207
Number of jewels: 33
Power reserve: 60 hours
Tourbillon rotation: 60 seconds
Balance frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)

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Finishing:  Côtes de Genève, perlage, hand beveling, polished screw heads, straight-grained steelwork
Case
18K Red Gold
Number of components:  23
Diameter: 46 mm
Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Display back: sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
High polish and satin finishes
Dial
Miniature hand painting on white Onyx
Individual, hand-painted painting Mr. Fan Zeng - one of 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac.
Hands
Central hour and minutes hands
Power reserve indicator on the back side
One-minute tourbillion on the back side

Specifications may change without notice.

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Contact

Maîtres du Temps Sarl

Rue Daniel Jeanrichard 18
CP 926
CH-2301 La Chaux-de-Fonds
Switzerland
Téléphone:        +41 32 911 17 17
Fax :                     +41 32 911 17 18
presscenter@maitresdutemps.com

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Maîtres du Temps – CHAPTER Three MIDNIGHT BLUE Gold

Maîtres du Temps – CHAPTER Three MIDNIGHT BLUE Gold Limited Edition NEW

Introduction:
At first he was attracted by the deep black color of the dial. By slightly tilting the watch the light was reflected in the complex decorations; giving the dark color shades of midnight blue.

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The very classic esthetics of the dial were in fact hiding an astonishing complication. By pressing the pusher on the crown, the two concealed dial panels positioned at 12 and 6 hours were lowered at first and then they smoothly slide under the dial thus revealing two new time indications. At 6 hours he could now see a cylinder indicating a second time and at 12 hours on another cylinder, the smiling face of the sun.

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By pressing again on the pusher of the crown the two dial panels repositioned themselves perfectly and flush on the dial so the secret was again well hidden. It was the first time he saw such a mechanism and he played delightfully opening and closing several times the dial panels.
The Chapter Three met exactly his taste as he loved classical and innovative high end horology. At the same time this watch was an ideal partner to accompany him on his long trips where, lost between the cities and the time differences, he needed to know his home time.

Maîtres du Temps – Atelier d’Horlogerie -  is very proud of the Chapter Three because for the first time, a watch model is manufactured entirely in our workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds using developments that are both highly technical and innovative. As with every Chapter a specific movement was designed for this timepiece.

For this new execution of the Chapter Three, special attention was given to the color of the dial. The deep black color emphasizes the classical esthetic of the watch and the beauty of the guilloche finish. This new dial complements the choice of the existing silver and anthracite versions.

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Collection Chapter Three: reveal the time
The ingenious mechanism of the opening of the dial becomes the DNA of the Chapter Three. A pusher on the center of the crown allows to lower two concealed dial panels of the dial in order to reveal two additional and hidden time indications: a second time zone indication (also known as GMT) and a Day/Night indicator, both displayed on cylinders, the signature feature of Maîtres du Temps – Atelier d’Horlogerie. The elegant sophistication has never reached such a level before.

The Movement: a technical prowess
Starting from scratch in designing the movement has allowed integrating the cylinders within the caliber rather than just adding a module needing much more space. The high precision conical gears improve the distribution of power and the reliability of the different mechanisms. The tailor made architecture of the movement also includes the opening and closing mechanism of the revealing dial panels.

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Incorporating this mechanism into the movement rather than the case allows for the complete optimization of reliability without increasing its. But a rich display associated with a distinguished elegance is not sufficient: an outstanding watch must also be a precise timepiece.

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For this purpose the movement is regulated by a Straumann escapement which is equipped with a low mass and energy efficient escape lever and a balance spring with Breguet overcoil improving the isochronism.

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The Dial: beauty of the guilloche
The Chapter Three is a timepiece displaying hours, minutes, seconds, date and moon phase all set on a sumptuous guilloche dial in an elegant round 18K gold case.

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When the concealed panels are positioned flush on the dial, the hour and minute hands are completed by a small second counter at 8 hours harmoniously counterpoised by a date counter at 2 hours and at 4 hours by a moon phase indicator representing the shadow of the Earth passing over a photo realistic moon. The small counters of the second and date indicators are subtly enhanced by a guilloche “Clous de Paris” and are identified by small and neat name plates.

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The opening and closing mechanism is a complication in itself. When the dial is closed a light pressure on the pusher in the crown lowers the panels below the level of the dial, and then releasing the pusher the same disappears below the dial unveiling the cylinders of the second time zone and the Day/Night indicator. A new pressure of the pusher creates an inverted rotation of the panels and resets them in the initial position before making them rise flush with the dial when releasing the pusher.

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The hands in 18K solid gold and large Roman Indicies are placed on the magnificent dial which is finely guilloche with a sunray design.

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Indication on high precisions cylinders: the time indication is not flat anymore
The high precision cylinders are the esthetical and technical signature of all timepieces of Maîtres du Temps – Atelier d’Horlogerie. They have to be very resistant and extremely light in weight so as to optimise the functioning of the movement.

In order to maximize the readability the second time indicator positioned in the lower part of the dial is displayed on two separate cylinders: the hours 1 to 6 on one and 7 to 12 on the other one. In the transition of the cylinders (forward and backward) between 6 and 7 and 12 and 1, the cylinder which is not used moves horizontally out of view giving space to the other cylinder.

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This innovative and unique mechanism is patented. Using two cylinders instead of just one means that only 6 figures have to be engraved on the circumference of the cylinder and this offers the possibility for the figures to be twice as large and therefore twice as easy to read.

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The cylinder for the Day/Night indication, which is positioned on the upper part of the dial, requires a 30 days manufacturing cycle. This very demanding manufacturing process goes through high precision machining, lining of hybrid ceramic, polishing, colouring of the sunrays and the stars through a galvanic process and finally hand painting of the faces of the Sun and the Moon.

A new page of the Chapter Three is written and the story continues….. 

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Technical Specifications

Model: CHAPTER Three MIDNIGHT BLUE Gold

References:  C3R.00.00.106 Chapter Three Midnight Blue White Gold
References:  C3R.55.00.106 Chapter Three Midnight Blue Red Gold

Central hours and minutes, small seconds, date, moon phase, concealed second time zone on cylinder, concealed Day/Night on cylinder, manual winding mechanical movement.
Displays
Central hour and minute hands
Small seconds at 8 o’clock
Date on sub-dial at 2 o’clock
Moon phase at 4 o’clock
Concealed Day/Night on cylinder at 12 o’clock
Concealed second time zone on cylinder at 6 o’clock
Caliber SHC03
Manual winding mechanical movement
Dimensions: 35.6 mm x 8.2 mm (inclusive of dial opening mechanism)
Number of components: 319
Number of jewels: 39
Power reserve: 36 hours
Dual mainspring barrels in series
Balance frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
Straumann balance spring with Breguet overcoil and low-mass escape lever
Finishing: Côtes de Genève, perlage, beveling, and polished screw heads
Case
18K gold
Number of components: 49
Dimension: 42mm
Sapphire crystals on top and display back with anti-reflective coating
Shaped pusher: desynchronizes cylinders from time indication when setting second time zone
Crown: 3 positions plus pusher
       Position 0: Winding
       Position 1: Setting date and moon phase
       Position 2: Setting time
       Pusher: Open/close dial panels
Water resistance: 30 meters/100 feet/3 ATM
Dial
Roman numerals
Sunray guilloche, Clous de Paris guilloche
Hands: 18K gold
Hands
18 K gold hands
Rounded stamped with hand bevelled and polished heads
Bent minute hand
Day and Month High Precision Cylinders
Concealed time zone: dual sliding embossed, aluminum Anticorodal cylinders
Concealed Day/Night: engraved and hand painted
Strap and buckle
Hand-sewn alligator strap with 18K gold tang buckle
* Specifications may change without notice.
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Contact
Maîtres du Temps Sarl
Rue Daniel Jeanrichard 18
CP 926
CH-2301 La Chaux-de-Fonds
Switzerland
Téléphone:     +41 32 911 17 17
Fax :        +41 32 911 17 18
presscenter@maitresdutemps.com
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