A recently established German watchmaking brand Neuhaus has launched a really peculiar timepiece that includes some interesting contradictory traits in its design. As the company presents it, its new Janus DoubleSpeed watch is the “most precise” mono-hand timepiece. The phrase is quoted because the product is not really equipped with the movement of extreme precision, and its accuracy is actually provided by the manner in which this watch displays the current time. Its single central hand (which is naturally hour hand) completes a full revolution every six hours, which means that one hour increment equals to space of 60 degrees, instead of 30 degrees as it is the usual practice. In the practical sense, this means that the hand is positioned the same way, regardless whether it is for example eight or two o’clock. The wearer thus must be able to differentiate between twice as many options than on a regular timekeeper and it seems that this is the feature that would require some getting used to, but hardly the one that is impossible to master.
The new timepiece by the brand that was founded two years ago by Manuel Neuhaus has a carefully designed and distinctive face which is totally oriented towards the improved legibility. It includes a black dial with Arabic numerals and markers for hours, halves and quarters of hours. To make it readable in the dark, numerals and markers are covered with white Superluminova coating. Additionally, the matte steel flange also includes luminous markers that are only visible when it is dark. Just below the center of the dial, this watch includes a running indication that reveals whether or not its movement is functioning which is very useful for a mono hand product whose face and slowly-paced movement of the hand do not reveal its working at an instant, as it is the case with the “normal” three hand timepieces.
Naturally, the most accurate watch with a single hand by Neuhaus is equipped with a mechanical movement, in a true spirit of traditional watchmaking values. It runs on hand-winding ETA 6498 (Unitas) caliber. During the construction of the watch, the movement is taken apart to its components and then modified in order to provide immaculate functioning of its double speed system. It is a large 16 ½ lignes wide pocket-watch movement with 17 ruby jewels that runs on the lower frequency of 18,000 vph (2.5 Hz).
As the German watchmaker reveals, it opted for a manually wound movement partially for sentimental reasons. In its opinion, the daily ritual of winding creates a special relation with this exceptional timekeeper. Fully-wound movement with Geneva stripes and blued screws offers a power reserve of 38 hours. Besides, it includes an Incabloc shock absorber which increases its resistance and functionality.
Neuhaus Janus DoubleSpeed Watch is fitted into a large round two-part steel case with the diameter of 44 mm and the thickness of 10.7 mm. The front of the timepiece is guarded with a sapphire crystal with glare-proof treatment. The same material is utilized for its transparent and screwed in case back which is always a nice detail for a mechanical timekeeper. As it is pointed out in the technical specification, the Neuhaus watch is water resistant to 50 meters.
The choice of wristlets available for this model includes a high class Milanaise steel bracelet that fastens with a butterfly clasp, and a high grade classic black leather strap with a steel pin buckle. All in all, Janus DoubleSpeed mono hand timepiece by Neuhaus is truly an original timepiece with a lot of soul and quirkiness supplemented with pristine classic design and overall sense of high class. It is constructed in a limited edition that consists of 99 pieces.
