Tag Archives: movement

New Tourbillon Oculus 1297 Titane

Ateliers deMonaco unveils two new models from its Tourbillon Oculus 1297 collection.

In order to celebrate the first year of the collection Tourbillon Oculus 1297, Ateliers deMonaco unveils two new models with a black titanium case bringing a sportier touch to the collection.

Launched in 2016 and recognisable by its dial composed of small lozenges in relief, this collection is inspired by Monaco’s coat of arms.

 

Between watchmaking tradition and technological innovation

Emanating from the Tourbillon Oculus 1297 collection, these two new timepieces are equipped with the manufacture dMc-980 calibre. Designed, developed, built and assembled in the Ateliers deMonaco manufacture, this patented tourbillon movement is called: Tourbillon XP1. It is one of the most precise in the world with a tolerance between 0 to 2 seconds per 24 hours.

These two automatic models have the Ateliers deMonaco signature rotor. The latest represents the Principality’s crown which is carefully hand-engraved in 22K gold.

For the first time, the manufacturer envelops its movement with an ultra-light black DLC titanium case.

The dial is made with the use of a new technology: a five axis laser. This latest innovation does not burn the material but enhances it giving the sought-after form. In this case, it is the signature symbol of Ateliers deMonaco: the lozenge. The mention Ateliers deMonaco is also written on the rim of the dial.

The two new models are recognizable by a small dial at 12 o’clock or in rose gold colour or in white gold colour. In order to be faithful to the Oculus model, an opening on the tourbillon’s cage at 6 o’clock allows us to see the heartbeat of the watch.

Lastly, to glorify the whole, the watch is mounted on a black alligator leather strap adorned with a hand-stitched and folding buckle in titanium black DLC for a more convenient use.

 

A Monegasque inspiration

In 1297, François Grimaldi, took the fortress of Monaco thanks to a stratagem: dressed like a Franciscan monk, he entered in the stronghold with one of his fellow soldiers. Once inside, he was able to open the door to his little army and seized the fortress.

Coat of Arms of the Grimaldi House pays tribute to this history because they are composed of:

“Comprises a silver shield decorated with red diamonds surrounded by the Order of St. Charles collar. It is placed on a red coat lined with ermine, topped by the royal crown.

Standing at each side of the shield are two monks brandishing raised swords. Below them is a banderol with the royal motto Deo Juvante (with God’s Help).”[1]

[1] http://www.palais.mc/en/the-institution/coat-of-arms-of-the-grimaldi-house-1-20.html

From the Master Horlogier

Watchmaking anno 2010 – an art or a science?

Nowadays, a lot of innovation brought to the market are masterful pieces of engineering that do not always work as well. Double Tourbillon, triple axes…It sometimes feels that form has taken over from function. Although we do get excited by these master pieces of engineering, we can also still get very excited by a movement that actually works, and works very well and very precise. Function first! We got a lot of inspiration from Henry Royce that set out with a very similar vision when he created the foundation for the Rolls Royce brand as we know it today.
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So when we are in technical meetings and people get overexcited by the solutions or new technical inventions, I often ask: “So what is the problem we are trying to solve with this new technology?”

Thus, when we were working on our Grand Tourbillon XP1, the issue at hand was clear. The TB is invented to deliver higher precision than a normal mechanical watch. However, the vertical positions have variations of amplitude and precision caused by the TB cage itself. But we felt there was an opportunity to minimize the force used for the escapement in the cage, and if we could eliminate oil or grease in the escapement with the use of modern materials, then this would be a plus as well.

We believe we have made a huge step forward in the precision of the TB movement. Key enablers for the step forward have been our Patented Perfect Balance Cage and the silicium escape wheel and lever with silicium oxide coating to avoid unnecessary power and efficiency loss. We can guarantee all our movements between 0-2 seconds/24hours, and we have already produced one that did much better!
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Can we do better? The aim is to come as close to zero as possible, so we have a mechanical movement that is always accurate. Wouldn’t that be cool? We believe it is possible, and for sure it is a nice aim to pursue. 

Personally, I believe our Ateliers deMonaco watches are pieces of art, that have embraced modern science to make them also functional as perfect as possible. Like the painter who studies his subjects for a long time before he can reach the highest level of perfection, our pieces feel they get better and more perfect with time as well. Let’s talk in 20 years to see how close to our dream we could come.
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