KLEPCYS VERTICAL SKELETON TOURBILLON SAPPHIRE

The Klepcys Vertical Skeleton Tourbillon Sapphire by horological innovator Cryus of Geneva is a showcase for contemporary independent watchmaking, and a piece which demonstrates the technical dexterity of this unique Manufacture. Released in honour of their first ten years, the company present this extraordinary model in an edition limited to only ten pieces.

Enabling a full appreciation of every nuance of the micro-mechanics of the watch, the casing is crafted from transparent sapphire crystal. Despite the extreme challenges of machining the material, the company have nonetheless retained the tonneau shape of previous editions.

The housing has a diameter of 44mm with a height of 19.9mm and is fitted with 18ct rose gold crowns, with winding and minutes adjustment via the crown at 3 o’clock, and advancement of the hours hand incrementally with the example at the 9 o’clock.

In addition to its aesthetically stunning case, the visual highlight of the watch is its dial side arrangement wherein a three-dimensional architecture accommodates an arcing rose gold bridge at the centre, beneath which the one-minute tourbillon is angled at an angle of 90°.

This unique placing of the mechanism follows significant research and development by Jean-François Mojon, who discovered that locating the mechanism on a vertical rather than on a horizontal axis would optimise its gravity-compensating characteristics. On either side, crescent displays for the sweeping minutes on the right and jumping hours on the left add further distinction and complexity.

Viewed through the rear of the case, the Mojon in-house designed and developed hand winding movement exhibits a modern finish with grey NAC bridges, black lacquered ratchet wheels and sunray decoration. At its centre, a slot allows the tourbillon to revolve freely on its sideways axis and beating at 21’600 vib/h, the calibre boasts a minimum 100 hours of power reserve with a dial side indicator on a sphere at 12 o’clock.

Presented in a limited edition of only 10 pieces, the Cyrus Klepcys Vertical Skeleton Tourbillon Sapphire is fitted with a white rubber strap secured with an 18ct rose gold folding buckle.