Frederic Jouvenot - Helios Albedo

The Helios Albedo created by Swiss watchmaker Frederic Jouvenot displays the time by highlighting the day and night cycle has a price of CHF 44,000.

Inspired to the astronomical instruments of the ancient civilizations, the new Helios Albedo created by Swiss watchmaker Frederic Jouvenot displays the time by highlighting the day and night cycles without using conventional hands, numerals or disks.

To achieve this result, Frederic Jouvenot uses a proprietary 24-hour Jumping cage which is the result of years of research and development and several patents. Fitted in a 12.916 mm central cage, 100 components - including 24 rubies - interact to activate the hour’s jumping beams.

The watch takes its name from the Greek Helios (Sun) and the Latin Albedo (whiteness), a term used in astronomy to describe the reflective property of planets, asteroids, celestial bodies and surfaces.

The dial of the Helios Albedo is made of 12 symmetrical micro-structures with a black-polished finish, a time-consuming technique performed by hand that gives each single element a mirror-like effect with surfaces reflecting each other.

At noon, all the twelve sunbeams are turned gold, representing daylight. At that precise moment, the dial represents the sun at its zenith. As time passes, the rays turn black one after another, clockwise; the dial darkens and announces oncoming night. Midnight is represented by twelve dark beams. The sunbeams will then turn to gold until mid-day, thus completing a full 24 hour cycle.

The minutes are displayed by means of a central rotating disk. 

It is 7:51 AM

Housed in a 44 mm x 13 mm case crafted from titanium and water resistant to 50 metres / 165 feet, the Frederic Jouvenot manufacture movement beats at the frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour with a power reserve of 50 hours. Mainplate and bridges are beveled and decorated with “Côtes de Genève”.

Limited to 28 pieces, the Helios Albedo by Frederic Jouvenot has a price of CHF 44,000. fjouvenot.com