With a legacy which spans back almost a quarter of a millennia, and in Voltaire, a founder who ranks as one of France’s most famous philosophers, it’s not surprising that the watches made by Manufacture Royale are elaborate and eclectic pieces, with an unmistakable identity, and boasting the exacting standards of this innovative independent watch company.

The Manufacture Royale Haute Voltige is a dramatic piece of contrasting finishings and elevated features, as it displays the time across two time zones in a visually arresting configuration, and a focus on the watch’s vital organs up front.

Encased in a 45mm rose gold case, it is an impressive wrist-watch indeed, and it carries a lot of presence on the wrist, and with its distinctive horologic centerpiece, it’s a standout watch in every sense.

Making full use of the large case, the primary dial comprises two parts, as an outer chapter ring with minutes dots is separated from the central panel by a channel, which rises from below the dial to above, in a striking three-dimensional elevation. A sunburst finish matches across both elements of the rich Skeletonized dial, contrasting against the polished steel hands, and from the channel a brushed steel bridge rises and reaches out across the dial, to hold in place the beautiful pulsating balance and escapement array which has been inverted to dial side rather than hidden away behind it.

A secondary dial displays the independent 2nd time zone, and it sits off center and hovering above the main dial, where a brushed steel ring surrounds a blue guilloché center.

Turned over, a sapphire crystal case-back reveals the Calibre MR07 in house manufacture, self-winding movement, whose plates and bridges are decorated with Côtes de Genève ribbing, beneath the spinning pared back rotor. Fully wound it will run for forty hours.

A wonderful novelty from the world of independent Haute Horlogerie, the Manufacture Royale 1770 Haute Voltige is presented on a black alligator leather strap.