A quite spectacular one of a kind watch the Manufacture Royale 1770 Haute Voltige Dragon Rose Gold characterises the uncompromising and individual approach to watchmaking by this extraordinary watch company. Revived in 2010, the company’s origins can be traced back almost 250 years, when it was founded by the famous French philosopher and entrepreneur Voltaire, and today

The 1770 Haute Voltige is a watch designed to cater for the demands of the traveller who cares little for conformity, but instead who values individuality and has discerning and eclectic taste. Outstanding in its design and elaborate in every aspect of its construction, the features on the dial are like architecture and the constant pulsations of the floating balance wheel provide an animation that’s irresistible to the eye.

Encased in a rounded 45mm case of polished 18Kt rose gold, its central body is cradled by two curving brancards around its sides, and which taper into the lugs, creating beautifully flowing contours, the 1770 Haute Voltige has a distinguished presence on the wrist. Slightly on the large side, it is still perfectly comfortable on most wrist sizes.

Beneath the convex form of the sapphire crystal, the olive green dial is furnished with bridges which rise and curve like haute horlogerie sculptures from a recessed silvered ring, which partitions the face into inner and outer elements. Dominating in crimson the magnificent balance wheel is suspended from its elevated bridge, ‘floating’ between hands and dial, and its constant pulsating oscillations, and the click-click of the escapement underneath are mesmerising.

The 1770 Haute Voltige also features a user friendly and clever second time zone function, as the minute hand on the secondary silver-rimmed dial can be adjusted backwards or forwards to factor for regions where the difference to adjacent zones is fifteen or thirty minutes, and not full hour increments.

The Manufacture Royale 1770 Haute Voltige is powered by the MR07 self winding movement, which like every other part of the watch has been created by hand and immaculately finished in house. Through the sapphire caseback the skeletonised oscillating weight spins above the solid plates which are decorated with Côtes de Genève stripes across their surfaces, with polished anglage edges. Operating at 21’600 vph, the calibre has a power reserve of forty hours autonomy when fully wound.

A wonderful and unique masterpiece from the world of independent haute horlogerie, the Manufacture Royale 1770 Haute Voltige Dragon Rose Gold is presented on a green alligator leather strap with folding clasp.