From one of independent watchmaking’s more eclectic manufacturers, the spectacular ADN Spirit Steel DLC Forged Carbon Bronze by Manufacture Royale is a dramatic watch which really stands out. Distinctive and unusual in its design, with its extroverted styling and brooding black body, set off with the metallic bronzed dial architecture it is an eye-catching piece with immense presence on the wrist.

Encased in a multi-part 46mm case, constructed of formed tubular forged carbon limbs and articulated lugs, which have a characteristic swirling cloud-like finish, and topped with a smooth matte black DLC stainless steel bezel, the Manufacture Royale ADN Spirit is a magnificent watch in both size and personality, and with an open worked dial which exposes the architecture of the bridges and the mechanism beneath, it is cool and conspicuous in its elaborate high tech execution.

Resembling a porthole in its appearance, the round bezel has twelve screws sunk into its lip, and they double up as external hour indices around the edge of the flat sapphire crystal. Beneath, the dial is replaced with a symmetric layout of sculpted, angular bridges, which have been sandblasted to a frosted finish and then coated in a bronze chemical vapour deposit.

The time is displayed via skeletonised steel hands for the hours and minutes, which are tipped with white luminous accents, and they are complemented by a small seconds subdial at the 9. At the 12 and the 6, a pair of pale blue sapphire glass panels bear luminous white numerals.

A little further in, the barrel is skeletonised, revealing the mainspring within, and the balance and escapement assembly are also visible, animating the dial area with its rapid oscillating pulse beneath the 6.

As with every other part of the watch, the hand-winding MR010 movement has been produced using traditional artisanal techniques and finished by hand, and through the sapphire exhibition caseback the underside is revealed. Beating at 28’800 vib/h it boasts a power reserve of at least 48 hours when fully wound.

An exceptional watch which combines sophisticated modern design, superb technical finesse and intricate detail, the Manufacture Royale ADN Spirit Steel DLC Forged Carbon Bronze is presented on a durable, weatherproof blue fabric strap with robust pin buckle, and is available in a limited production of 28 pieces.