A name that has permanently left us jaw-dropped, Vianney Halter, designer and maker of exquisite timepieces, has come up with a staggering, genuinely science-fictional piece – the Deep Space Tourbillon. Although we’ve already featured it on Luxatic, we like it so much that we’ve chosen to add some more details about its fantastic manufacture and the stunning way it displays time.
Co-creator of the legendary Harry Winston Opus 3 and the Cabestan Winch Tourbillon Vertical Watch, Halter has driven up a different causeway, where science-fiction and future-related art is dominant. Resembling the famous Deep Space 9 space station from Star Trek, the domed tourbillon timepiece perfectly reflects fantasy and a world when stars are mere daily destinations.
The main feature of this exclusive piece is the tourbillon, the piece that stands out best. Located at the center, it is being virtually surrounded by blue minutes and hours hands, curved around it like the spires of the aforementioned space station. In addition, the tourbillon rotates on three axes, while the remainders of the movement have been superbly conceived behind a black plate. It appears as if the tourbillon was floating into black, empty space. As for the dome, it is in fact a gorgeously cut piece of sapphire crystal.
The manufacturer describes: “First, in the center, the tourbillon itself spins at a rate of once every 40 seconds. The second axis is the entire tourbillon shaft, spinning once every 6 minutes. Finally, the entire mechanism rotates horizontally 360 degrees every half hour.” There’s simply no better way to describe the functionality of this exquisite work. Moreover, marking tradition and exclusivity, there are no numbers on the dial. Reading off the time is itself quite a complicated job, probably facile strictly to tourbillon pros.
Measuring 1.8 inches in diameter, one may consider the Deep Space Tourbillon quite a chunky bit, but this is all countered by its light construction, of titanium. Both the case and the interior components were crafted from the exquisite metal. It also sports a 55-hour power reserve and a price tag probably drawn out of fantasy tales – $195,000 a piece. You won’t see many of them though, just 100 will ever be manufactured.
[A Blog to Watch] via [Luxury Launches]
