Home » Baselworld - World Watch and Jewellery Show » Baselworld 2014 Review: Ateliers de Monaco Xtreme Precision Oculus Petite Minute Watch – Exceptionally Precise Tourbillon with Innovative Case Design
Five years after its foundation and the creation of the initial model Grand Tourbillon XP, one of the world’s most accurate tourbillons, the independent watchmaker Ateliers de Monaco is launching a special timekeeper that commemorates its success and matches its technical excellence. However, it looks quite different than its predecessor since it is presented in a completely different and improved package. When the technical aspect is concerned, new Grand Tourbillon Xtreme Precision Oculus Petite Minute has the same impressive accuracy of between 0-2 seconds per day, enabled by its in-house made automatic caliber. This is possible due to the inclusion of silicon components, as well as patented balance cage geometry that brings the gravity point of all of its parts directly to the center. Moreover, the new 88 piece limited edition watch has a special case embellished with hand-finishing and made with a titanium core and red gold sides. The high-end finishing is also present on the movement and its mesmerizing multi-layered dial with the opening at the bottom which is responsible for the oculus part of its name. As it has been announced, the round housed version of Ateliers de Monaco timekeeper will feature the price of $81,000.
Ateliers de Monaco Grand Tourbillon Oculus Petite Minute Watch Dial
In-House Developed, Constructed and Patented Tourbillon
As its predecessor from five years ago, new Ateliers de Monaco Xtreme Precision Oculus Petite Minute timekeeper has astonishing precision. The accuracy of the watch is based on several traits. Apart from the use of silicone for the escapement wheel and lever of its automatic XP 1 minute tourbillon movement, it is also based on construction of the tourbillon cage with perfect geometry, as well as modern machining processes, such as LIGA and DRIE. All of these traits in congress enable the 4 Hz caliber to be ten times more accurate than it is commonly so. Other interesting traits of the impressive movement are its bi-directional winding and the presence of a lovely looking transparent sapphire bridge which holds the 80-part tourbillon cage in place. Unfortunately, the watchmaker has not revealed how long the power reserve of this high-frequency self-winding tourbillon movement lasts.
The movement with a tourbillon with the rotational period of 60 seconds is also extensively finished. Its bridges are curved, chamfered and decorated with hand-performed perlage motif. Moreover, a manual engraving decorates the tourbillon carriage and the movement’s solid gold two-tone rotor.
Ateliers de Monaco Grand Tourbillon Oculus Petite Minute Watch Back
Titanium Core, Red Gold Sides and Contrasting Finishing for the Case
Extensive and contrasting brushed and polished finishing is likewise visible on the timekeeper’s 31-part case with curved lines. The round housing is made with its base made of titanium and with sloped case-bands made of 18 K gold. It is hand-assembled and has the width of 43 mm, as well as the thickness of 13.1 mm. Both its crystal and case back are made of sapphire which on the front side includes several layers of anti-reflective coating. The back is secured with four screws, while the overall construction allows waterproofness to 30 meters. As it has been reveled, the brand will be presenting the model in two additional variations – with lavish jeweled and with square housings.
Multi-Layered Dial with Oculus Opening that Exposes Its Tourbillon
Ateliers de Monaco new model has a stunning silver colored face with a pronounced sunray motif decoration. The hours and minutes are shown on an off-centered circular grained dial which stands above the rest of the dial and includes dauphine-styled domed hands in red gold shade and Roman numerals in the same color. Apart from this basic feature, the watch also incorporates a small seconds indication executed via its exposed one-minute tourbillon. The design of the opening that shows the tourbillon is inspired with the ones used on the domes typical for the Byzantine architecture. This is the reason why the watch has the “Oculus” part in its name.
Ateliers de Monaco Grand Tourbillon Oculus Petite Minute Watch
The First “Swiss Made” Watch by Atelier de Monaco
The final component that constitutes Atelier de Monaco Grand Tourbillon Xtreme Precision Oculus Petite Minute timepiece is a black hand-stitched alligator strap which locks with a folding buckle made of a mixture of titanium and gold. It should be said that this novelty is the first watch by the Monaco-based company which holds the inscription “Swiss made” since it was created in the brand’s new workshops in Geneva. As the watchmaker states, this will be the trait of all of its following models from now on.
