MAITRES DU TEMPS Introducing Chapter One Round Transparence

icon-brandsTransparence. The antithesis of ambiguity, it embodies clarity—freedom. Transparence is changing the world and the way we view time. Transparence reveals the handiwork of the master watchmaker: impeccably finished bridges, precisely beveled edges, and a symphony of mechanical complexity. Transparence − presented here in a limited edition of 11 pieces in red gold − unveils the heart and soul of a rare timepiece too alluring to cover up.

Introducing Chapter One Round Transparence. It is as stunning as it is revealing. The high precision, laser-etched sapphire see-through dial invites you to discover the meticulously decorated movement and all its mechanical prowess and intricate inner workings.

The sapphire dial designed for Transparence is a work of art and an example of the highest level precision engineering. The 0.40 mm, ultrathin high-tech sapphire dial is cut and precisely laser-pierced more than twenty times to provide holes for the anchors to securely fasten the appliqués that mark the passage of time. The fastidious process of machining the multi-beveled minute track, which includes hand-painted Super-LumiNova indices, illustrates that the level of detail in Chapter One Round Transparence is not just limited to the movement. While the meticulous process of fitting the tourbillon cage to the fine, nearly invisible dial is reserved for only the most accomplished of watchmakers who dare to take on such a complicated assembly, the result is an extremely legible timepiece with a breathtaking view into mechanical mastery.

Equally notable is the addition of the precious metal finish chronograph bridge visible through the octagonal sapphire display back. Through a patented plating process, four precious metals belonging to the platinum family—platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, and palladium—combine to give the chronograph bridge the darkened appearance unique to the Chapter One Transparence collection.

“Chapter One Transparence offers a glimpse into the world of the master watchmaker. The sapphire dial reveals the often concealed inner workings of the timepiece and its high level of craftsmanship. Looking into the movement—the soul of the watch—gives one an appreciation of how the watch was created, the human hands that touched it, the ingenuity that formed it,” says Founder Steven Holtzman.

A World-First Combination of Complications
Chapter One Round Transparence takes center stage as the evolution of the Chapter One collection continues. Chapter One is a world-first combination of complications, comprising a tourbillon, mono-pusher chronograph, retrograde date, retrograde GMT, and two idiosyncratic rolling bars indicating the day of the week and phase of the moon. The collection is quintessential Maîtres du Temps and became an instant classic among rave reviews by the press and collectors across the globe.

Chapter One, then and now, is a horological work of art, both inside and out. Long, flowing compound curves traverse the case, imparting a sense of nobility and power without leaving a trace of the complexity involved. The ease of both reading and adjusting Chapter One’s many indications disguises the fact that the micromechanical movement powering this masterpiece is crafted from 558 components.

A tour of the dial reveals central coaxial hours, minutes, and chronograph 60-second counter; tourbillon and day of the week roller at 6 o’clock; retrograde GMT at 9 o’clock; 60-minute chronograph counter and precision moon phase roller at 12 o’clock; and retrograde date at 3 o’clock.

Meticulous attention to every minute detail throughout the design and execution of all facets of Chapter One’s development has resulted in a timepiece of exceptional presence and refinement. The harmoniously integrated rolling bars, for example, had to be both large enough to be easily read and small enough to be ultralight and homogeneous with the case. Scintillating, laser-pierced moon and stars on the outer roller of the moon phase indication add to its stellar elegance. The iconic rolling bars are unmistakable Maîtres du Temps and the foundation of the brand’s unmistakable DNA.

The Chapter One collection is an enduring beacon of ingenuity and architectural form. As sublime as it is complex, the original tonneau case put the industry on notice to a new standard of excellence. Followed by a creative interpretation of the classic round case, Chapter One Round demonstrated the collection’s versatility. Now, with the advent of Chapter One Transparence, in both tonneau and round cases—the technical prowess of the collection is proudly revealed for all to see. The One of 11 elegantly engraved at the back of each timepiece highlights the limitation of this exclusive series. And the story of Chapter One continues . . .

img-watch
img-watch
img-watch
img-watch
img-watch
Chapter One Round Transparence – Technical Specifications
Chapter One Round Transparence in red gold is a limited edition of 11 pieces with a transparent sapphire crystal dial

Laser-etched sapphire dial revealing a manual-wind mechanical movement with hand-beveled cut-out bridges and a precious metal finish chronograph bridge, one-minute tourbillon, mono-pusher chronograph, retrograde date indicator, retrograde GMT indicator, day of the week indication on roller, patented precise moon phase indication on roller.

 

Displays

  • Central hands indicating hours and minutes
  • Central chronograph counterpoised second hand
  • 60-minute counter at 12 o’clock
  • Retrograde date at 3 o’clock
  • Retrograde GMT at 9 o’clock
  • One-minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock
  • Day of the week indication on roller at 6 o’clock
  • Patented precise moon phase indication on roller at 12 o’clock

 

Functions

  • Two-position winding crown: pushed in to wind the watch; pulled out to set the time
  • Chronograph: start/stop/return-to-zero function activated by single pusher in the crown

 

Correctors

  • Date corrector at 2 o’clock
  • Day of the week corrector at 4 o’clock
  • Moon phase corrector at 8 o’clock
  • GMT corrector at 10 o’clock

 

Caliber SHC02.1

  • Hand-beveled cut-out bridges
  • Black precious metal finish chronograph bridge
  • Dimensions: 51 mm x 31 mm
  • Number of components: 558
  • Number of jewels: 58
  • Power reserve: 60 hours
  • Tourbillon rotation: 60 seconds
  • Balance frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)

 

Case

  • Limited edition of 11 pieces in 18K red gold, each engraved One of 11
  • Number of components:  96
  • Dimensions: 62 mm x 59 mm x 22 mm
  • Sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating
  • Display back: sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
  • High polish and satin finishes on compound-curve surfaces
  • Correctors with integrated locking system

 

Dial

  • High-precision, laser-etched sapphire
  • Number of components: 5
  • Circular grained appliqués
  • White Super-LumiNova indices

 

Hands

  • Red counterpoised chronograph hand
  • Sporty faceted diamond-cut hands
  • Luminescent hour and minute hands

 

Rollers

  • Day barrel: matte finish anodized Anticorodal aluminum
  • Moon phase barrel: anodized Anticorodal aluminum with painted moon and stars inside a matte finish anodized cover with laser-pierced moon and stars.

 

Strap and buckle

  • Hand-sewn alligator strap with 18K gold deployant buckle

 

Specifications may change without notice.