Baselworld 2013 Preview – Breva Génie 01 World’s First Mechanical Watch with Altimeter and Barometer

From the new independent watch manufacturer, Breva, we have a revolutionary watch named the Breva Génie 01. It is the world’s first mechanical timepiece with both an altimeter and a barometer, for forecasting the weather.

Breva Génie 01 White Gold Watch

First of all, let me introduce to you the Breva brand. It is a newly formed company founded by a clothing entrepreneur, Vincent Dupontreué. The brand will be officially presented in a few weeks at Baselworld 2013.

The name Breva is inspired by a warm southern wind, named La Breva, which contributes to the pleasantly mild microclimate around Lake Como in northern Italy.

The young founder of the Breva company, Vincent Dupontreué, is a quite successful entrepreneur in the fashion industry. Three years ago, on his 33rd birthday, this French native businessman decided that he wanted to create his own, high-end watch brand. That is how the story began.

Vincent Dupontreue

After three years of research and development, Vincent launched the Génie 01 Watch. The brand’s very first model which will have its inaugural appearance on the world stage at Basel watch show is developed exclusively for Breva by Jean-François Mojon of Chronode whose works include some amazing pieces, such as HYT H1, MB&F Legacy Machine 1 and the Urban Jurgensen P8.

The Génie 01 features time, altimeter, barometer and power reserve indications provided by a fully mechanical movement, much of which is on display through the open dial and display back.

All Different Displays are More Than Easy to Read

The dial side of the Génie displays plenty easy-to-read indications to keep the wearer fully informed about current time, altitude, remaining power in the mainspring, as well as a weather forecasting barometer. Thus, Breva Génie 01 gives the wearer an extensive sense of the environment around him.

Breva Génie 01 Pink Gold Watch

Multiple layers of sapphire crystals shield the dial and give the watch immense visual depth. Altitude is indicated in meters around the top half perimeter of the dial (from -300 to +5,300 meters), while barometric pressure in hectopascals (hPa) is shown on a semi-transparent counter at two o’clock position. The barometric display ranges between 973 and 1053 hPa.

Breva Génie 01 White Gold Watch Meteo

The barometric pressure scale can be set by the crown at the two o’clock position, whereas the crown at the four o’clock position is the air valve that allows a small amount of filtered air into the case for the equalization of air pressure before using the barometer. This crown has a knurled locking ring that rotates 90° to lock/unlock an air valve.

Durability and reliability of the watch are maximized by the means of an osmotic Teflon membrane that filters any moisture from air before it enters the movement. In theory, the barometer is useful in predicting the weather, falling pressure indicates rain and vice versa. Above the crown at the four o’clock position, a red indicator on the dial which is inscribed with the word SEALED warns when the valve is unlocked.

Breva Génie 01 White Gold Watch Sealed

The hours and minutes are displayed on a semi-transparent smoky-sapphire counter located at the eight o’clock position, with a small seconds sub-dial which is set underneath the twelve o’clock position. The third, two-position crown which is located on the left side of the watch, at the nine o’clock position, is for winding the watch and for setting the time. A power reserve indicator is placed at the four o’clock position. The impeccable mechanism is capable of storing 65 hours of power reserve.

An anaerobic capsule which measures air pressure, with another anaerobic capsule below it which maximizes sensitivity to the slightest change in air pressure is situated between five and six o’clock position.

Breva Génie 01 Pink Gold Watch Anaerobic Capsule

Amazing Timepiece from Both Sides

When you turn the watch over, you will see that the Breva’s first timekeeper is equally interesting from both sides. The hand-wound mechanical movement can be seen through the sapphire crystal case back. The vibrantly oscillating balance wheel first catches the eye. A circular scale which is engraved around the perimeter shows correlations between altitude and air pressure, as the altitude affects air pressure, as well as the weather. Through the sapphire glass, you can get a perfect look at the complex maze of mechanism elements (it consist of 405 parts). The 46 jewels movement beats at the rapid frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz).

Breva Génie 01 Pink Gold Watch Caseback

In creating its first watch, Breva gave a great attention to details, which is evident everywhere. The Génie 01 Watch is limited to just 55 pieces in white gold and 55 pieces in 4N pink gold.

The case measures 44.7mm in diameter and 15.6mm in thickness. It is constructed to resist water pressure up to 30 meters (100 feet). The brand’s first wristwatch comes with a hand stitched alligator leather strap with either white gold or pink gold folding buckle.

The price without taxes and shipping will be CHF145,000 for the pink gold model and CHF150,000 for the white gold version.

To see the Genie 01 in action, check out the video:

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