A wonderful, eye catching wristwatch from a young independent company, produced in an exclusive collaboration with The Limited Edition and The Horophile, the Gilt Spectre by Ophion is a piece which combines classical dress watch design codes with state of the art manufacturing processes and the subtle application of in-house hand finishing, in a forty-piece limited edition manufactured in beadblasted Grade 5 titanium.

Established in 2014, with its headquarters based in Madrid, Ophion is a brand with a singular approach to its watchmaking, and whose uncompromising attention to detail and distinctive, distinguished styling have rapidly earned it a strong following among discerning collectors around the world.

Brimming with character and charming detail throughout, the Gilt Spectre abounds with curves, contours and features which echo the expressive flamboyance of classic art deco design. Equipped with a Swiss made manual winding movement, which beats within a bespoke case of Grade 5 titanium manufactured by independent legend Kari Voutilainen’s Cattin company, this is a watch of alluring aesthetic style and technical sophistication.

Measuring 39mm across and 10.4mm tall, the rounded pebble-smooth case has been sandblasted to give it’s silver-grey colour a fine matte finish. The bulbous teardrop lugs are individually welded onto the case and accentuate the classic retro styling of the Gilt Spectre editin .

Beneath the gently domed sapphire crystal which features anti-reflective coating on both sides, the anthracite dial has a vertical grained brush finish, onto which the silver coloured laser cut chapter ring and gold Breguet style arabic numerals are individually applied, adding a sense of depth to the display. The hands are also gold in colour, with the minute hand long and slender and curving downwards at its tip, while the hour hand features the Vélos skeletonised arrow design.

On the underside, a sapphire caseback provides a view of the manual winding movement which has been manufactured by MHVJ and Soprod in Switzerland. The base calibre has been disassembled by Ophion, with the original main plate replaced by custom made bridges, which are evocative of those found on fine old pocket watch movements, and feature surfaces which have an evenly applied hammered effect, contrasting with the machine polished chamfering around their edges.

The pared back bridge design reveals the balance wheel which oscillates at a brisk 28,800 vib/h (4hz), and the two barrels, which deliver an impressive five day (120 hour) power reserve.

A fabulous piece by one of independent watchmaking’s most exciting young brands, the Gilt Spectre Limited Edition by Ophion, in a special collaboration with The Limited Edition and Horophile, is manufactured in an exclusive edition of only forty pieces. Presented on a grey suede strap with pin buckle, it is elegant and beautifully proportioned. Featuring nuances and detailing more commonly found at the highest end of the watchmaking scale, it represents exceptional value for money.