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Introduction of assertive new black dials for the C by Romain Gauthier Titanium Edition Bracelet

DECEMBER 18 2024    |    Novelties

Released initially with a grey dial and then with a Lever de Soleil color dial, the C by Romain Gauthier Titanium Edition Bracelet is now featured with two new dials: a three-dimensional straight grained structured dial in Grade 5 black titanium with white details and a black sapphire openwork dial with blue and white accents.

The three-dimensional straight grained black titanium dial provides an even more assertive character with its textured surfaces. The sharp contrast between the white details and the dark background enhances the time indications. This dial embodies a distinctly modern design while maintaining excellent readability, even in low-light conditions, thanks to the use of Super- LumiNova on the indexes, numerals, and hands.

As for the sapphire openwork dial, it reveals the intricate components of the movement, showcasing the brand's sophisticated watchmaking engineering and artisanal craftsmanship. This openwork design creates a captivating interplay between transparency and structure, transforming the watch into a true technical and aesthetic masterpiece. When Romain launched the first edition of C by Romain Gauthier in 2021, it was clearly stated that this new caliber would lead the brand to new horizons. One year later, a new door has been opened with the arrival of the brand's first metal bracelet.

Sober and contemporary, propitious to variations and adaptations, C by Romain Gauthier was an obvious choice for the creation of a metal bracelet. The desire of modernity, comfort and ergonomic already initiated during the conception of the first edition, reinforced the development of this integral timepiece on a titanium bracelet - light, resistant, modern and sophisticated. Aesthetically, it was important to Romain that the bracelet and the watch become one. As he said: "The bracelet is the case, and the case is the bracelet". This desire is reflected in the fusion of these two elements, a timepiece as a whole that cannot be dissociated.

In keeping with Romain's vision - The Evolution of Tradition - this new technical and contemporary element requires a high level of craftsmanship and hand finishing. Each link is composed of hand-polished and satin-finished surfaces that play with the light and reflect the technical nature of the bracelet and the piece in general.

Flow and continuity to the fore on an atypical dial
C by Romain Gauthier is all about modernity and continuity, both in terms of its movement architecture and dial design. If the observer looks closely, he will see that the hour-minute hands are off-centred on the horizontal axis and the hour indices taper ever so slightly and are of varying lengths, while the 5-second intervals of the small seconds at 7 o’clock are also marked by tapered lines of differing lengths.

Romain explains this purposeful play on perspective, saying: “Rather than a series of enclosed circles, as we often see in watchmaking, I wanted an open, airy dial on which full or part orthogonal lines form vanishing points with the axes of the hands, reinforcing the notion of continuity.”
For enhanced legibility, the tapering, three-dimensional hands are made from Grade 5 titanium and filled with Super-LumiNova. The numerals and indexes are made entirely of Super-LumiNova, improving visibility, and reinforcing the modern feel of this timepiece.
Presented in two distinctive versions—one with a full black titanium dial featuring a three-dimensional straight-grained texture, and the other with a partially openwork sapphire dial—these new references stand out as assertive and timeless.

The full black titanium dial, crafted from Grade 5 titanium with a PVD coating, features a horizontal straight-grained, three- dimensional texture. This design lends the watch a strong character, further accentuated by white details.
The version with a partially openwork sapphire dial highlights the movement’s seconds mechanism and escapement, with the seconds wheel taking center stage. Beyond its mechanical function, this wheel is an aesthetic symbol unique to the brand. Its shape and openings are typical of Romain Gauthier wheels - the decorative circling and polished angles attest the care devoted to the finishing of each component.

The partial opening of the dial also reveals the escapement assembly with the escapement wheel, balance and pallet fork. A decorative bridge on the lower part of the dial has been added - thanks to a special hand engraving technique, the specialists at Manufacture have reproduced the boucharder texture found inside the bridges on the movement.
By opening the dial at the front and leaving the movement visible at the back, Romain Gauthier highlights heart of this calib er. Thanks to the decoration of each component, this timepiece takes on a new visual dimension - contrasts and plays of light bring this Grade 5 titanium movement to life.

An integrated design resulting in a harmonious timepiece
Romain Gauthier's metal bracelet is made entirely of natural Grade 5 titanium, light and comfortable.
This bracelet was designed so that the wearer does not feel it; in addition to being light, it is also very thin thanks to the folding clasp integrated into the bracelet.

The bracelet itself is integrated into the case by slightly curved lugs following the natural shape of the wrist. In this same objective, the links are articulated and assembled precisely to adapt to all types of wrists.
Aesthetically, Romain wanted to develop a modern bracelet that would highlight traditional craftmanship. As with the rest of the timepiece, each link has contrasting finishes, with the surface being satin-finished while the connecting element is hand-polished, bringing both character and elegance to the bracelet.

Eye-catching case and bracelet rich in details
Framing the dial is a titanium bezel with an eye-catching, geometric profile unlike anything previously seen on a Romain Gauthier timepiece. The bezel is first machined into a round shape featuring a circular bevel before six straight sides are cut into it to create 6 facets. While these facets, which have been polished, reflect the light and bring the bezel to life, the rest of the bezel absorbs light thanks to its satin-finishing. The same facetted design is replicated around the sapphire crystal on the back of the watch.
In between the bezel and caseback, the one-piece caseband and lugs are geometrically sculpted, with satin and polished finishes as well as aesthetic grooves cleverly deployed to draw out the resulting shapes. Meanwhile, the titanium bracelet with the folding clasp follows the form of the curved lugs, which have been adjusted to fit any wrist, and rounded caseband so it appears as a continuous, organic extension of the case.

The finishing on the case facets is repeated on each of the bracelet links, a play of light accentuated by satin-finished surfaces and contrasted by hand-polished ones.
C by Romain Gauthier Titanium Edition Bracelet is a timepiece that should be appreciated as a whole. Each detail is linked to another, each type of finishing is featured on the case, on the movement and on the bracelet.

As with the other editions of C by Romain Gauthier, the winding and time setting crown has been placed at 2 o'clock, freeing up space for the wrist movement. The fluted crown also allows an easy handling and provides an additional eye-catching aesthetic element to the case.

Clever stop-seconds mechanism that uses a snail cam
Romain has endowed C by Romain Gauthier with a stop-seconds – or hacking seconds – mechanism, allowing the wearer to set the time exactly according to a reference time.
Like many stop-seconds mechanisms, a brake is placed on C by Romain Gauthier’s balance wheel when the crown is pulled out. But instead of using a straight or L-shaped balance stop lever to halt the balance, Romain has opted to employ a snail cam that performs a double function: It touches and stops the balance wheel when the crown is pulled out and, when the crown is pushed back in, the snail cam makes a turn, with its increasingly wide form giving the balance an impulse to help it start beating again.

Those familiar with the brand will know Romain has used the snail cam’s unique shape in his past creations: It appears on the watchmaker’s acclaimed Logical One.

In-house movement where design and decoration meet modernity
The themes of modernity and continuity carry over to the manual-winding, in-house movement, which is gloriously on show through the display back.

Taking centre stage are a number of finger bridges – historically typical of the Vallée de Joux, Romain’s birthplace – but reinterpreted here in a contemporary way. For starters, these bridges are horizontally configured and feature a ‘stepped’ shape – previously seen on some of Logical One’s bridges – that not only provides volume and depth, but also gives the sense that the bridges are literally flowing over the gears and balance wheel, with no clear end to them.

Like the case components and the dial plate, the bridges are made from lightweight, natural Grade 5 titanium and they boast contrasting tones and textures thanks to a variety of finishes. The outer edges of each bridge all feature a double bevel, while the flat bridge surfaces and rubies are each framed by a raised border that has been straight-grained. Within these borders, the hand-finishing specialists at Manufacture Romain Gauthier have used a special hand-engraving technique to create a highly original dimpled texture. The movement mainplate beneath has been hand-frosted.

The impressive decoration doesn’t stop with the bridges and mainplate: Romain’s trademark gears and ratchet wheel featuring circular, bevelled spokes have been circular-grained, while the click, snail cam and screws with S-slot heads – another signature of Romain – have been highly polished. Finally, the lid of the mainspring barrel has been embellished with a superb snailing decoration.

C by Romain Gauthier’s regulator features the Romain Gauthier balance wheel with curved arms and calibrated eccentric weights, plus hand-assembled pallet lever that is triangular for maximum rigidity.

 

C by Romain Gauthier Titanium Edition Bracelet

Technical Specifications

 

                                       

Edition
Non limited edition in natural Grade 5 titanium.
 
Features and indications
Off-centred hours and minutes
Small seconds at 7 o’clock
Natural Grade 5 titanium case, movement bridges and mainplate
In-house movement featuring stop-seconds mechanism
Natural Grade 5 titanium bracelet
 
Dial and hands
-   Full black titanium dial featuring a three-dimensional straight grained texture and white details
-   Partially openwork sapphire dial and blue and white details
Off-centred hours and minutes
Small seconds at 7 o’clock with 5-second intervals marked by tapering lines
Super-LumiNova-filled Grade 5 titanium hands
Numerals and index entirely in Super-LumiNova
 
Movement and finishing
In-house, hand-wound movement
Dimensions: 32.10 mm x 5.50 mm
Power reserve: 60 hours
Number of jewels: 24
Number of components: 
-   MON00582: 154
-   MON00584: 158
Balance frequency: 28,800 vph / 4Hz
Components made from: Titanium, steel, stainless steel and German silver
Finishing: Superlative decoration by hand
 
Case
Material: Natural Grade 5 titanium
Dimensions: 41mm x 9.55mm, lugs to lugs: 47.8 mm
Water resistance: 50m/5atm/160ft
Crown for winding and time-setting at 2 o’clock
Sapphire crystal with interior anti-reflection coating, front and display back.
 
Bracelet and folding clasp
Metal bracelet entirely in Grade 5 titanium, with an integrated folding clasp, also in Grade 5 titanium, supplied with an additional half-link to perfectly fit all wrists.
 
Total weight of the watch: 85g, including titanium bracelet and folding clasp.

 

 

                                           


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NOVEMBER 05 2024    |    Novelties

A platinum bracelet for the most refined sporty timepiece

Featuring a platinum case and bracelet with an 18k white gold movement and dial, C by Romain Gauthier Platinum Edition Bracelet resonates with the most discerning collectors in the watchmaking world. Romain brings a touch of refinement to this timepiece with a sporty profile and assertive character, a combination of noble materials that reveals a traditional side to this very modern timepiece.

The C by Romain Gauthier Platinum Edition Bracelet stands out for its elegance and ultimate level of refinement, beyond the precious character that platinum brings, the bracelet design highlights the textures and finishing techniques that make this timepiece more luminous and prestigious.

In keeping with Romain's vision - The Evolution of Tradition - the bracelet requires a high level of craftsmanship and hand finishing. Each link is composed of high polished and satin brushed surfaces by hand, highlighting the interplay of light and reflecting the artistry and technical nature of the bracelet and the piece in general.

Conceived as an integral element of the whole timepiece, the bracelet was designed to be one with the case - “The bracelet is the case, and the case is the bracelet” says Romain. This desire is reflected in the fusion of these two elements that cannot be dissociated. Inspired by the finger bridges style, the design of the movement follows the watchmaking history of the Swiss Vallée de Joux, with a modern approach, reflecting Romain's vision of the evolution of tradition.

As a non-limited edition, the Platinum Edition Bracelet can be personalized and customized to reflect each collector’s personality and taste.

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