Cyrus unveiled the Etheral Twin Orbital Tourbillon, a sensational model with a 3D moving dial and 2 flying tourbillons. Specs and price: CHF 330,000
On the occasion of the Watches and Wonders 2024 exhibition (Geneva, April 9-15), Swiss independent watchmaker Cyrus is unveiling the Etheral Twin Orbital Tourbillon, the inaugural timepiece of the new Etheral collection.
Marking the Maison's debut in round case designs, this collection combines ultramodern style with avant-garde mechanics, drawing inspiration from the patterns, rhythms and elements that can be found in nature and the universe.
The result of more than six years of work under the direction of the talented master watchmaker Jean-François Mojon, the Etheral Twin Orbital Tourbillon features an astonishing 3D moving dial that celebrates kinematics.
As the hours pass, the jumping hours, the minute indication and the two flying tourbillons change position, keeping time perfectly readable always horizontally. Inclined at an angle of 20°, each of the two tourbillons performs a complete clockwise rotation in one minute.
The jumping hour indication is displayed by means of two discs in the form of a truncated cone with an inclination angle of 18°, and it is surmounted by a triangular minute hand with curved arms and a luminescent tip, microbeaded and featuring bevelled polished angles.
Positioned on a frame, all these components perform a spectacular dance. The wide aperture of the dial allows a perfect view of the two flying tourbillon cages as the dial rotates, without affecting the readability of the time, which is always horizontal.
In the top image, the time reads 08:22, while in the image below, it is 08:54
The architectural ensemble is highlighted by contrasting shades of black, anthracite and rose gold, with sophisticated finishes such as the black PVD finish on the frame bridge, the tetrahedral motifs, the tourbillon cages’ gilded bridges, reminiscent of Cyrus’ three-armed helix logo, with microbeaded and chamfered angles, and the bevelled-cut steel screw heads, some with a mirror-polished surface, others with an additional black PVD coating.
The complex geometry of the upper tourbillon cage, which can only be produced using the most high-performance machining workshops, bears the brand's three-armed helix logo. It is adjusted by means of inertia blocks on the free-sprung balance wheel.
Above and below, two pictures of a prototype
The 44 mm x 16.3 mm case is crafted in polished-brushed 4N rose gold combined with grade 5 titanium inserts and complemented by a slender bezel that allows a wider dial opening.
Elongated lugs surround the functional twin crowns. The crown at 3 o'clock, with its slanted grooves, winds the watch and sets the time, while a pressure on the crown at 9 o'clock allows quick time setting (with the hour jumping one hour ahead). Water resistance is ensured up to a pressure of 5 bar (50 metres / 165 feet).
Comprising no fewer than 510 components, the new hand-wound manufacture calibre CYR518-E operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz) and guarantees a 72-hour power reserve thanks to its two barrels.
Visible through the anti-reflective sapphire crystal case back, sealed with 8 titanium customised screws, the aesthetics of the rear of the movement echoes the layout of the dial and is enhanced by refined finishes such as frosted and microbeaded surfaces, bevelled and polished edges, polished mirror screws and much more.
Following the shape of the unusual minute hand, the inclined power-reserve disc changes from white to black and then to red when the power reserve runs out.
The recurring Maison's three-armed helix symbol is engraved on the frosted, black PVD-coated barrel ratchet wheels.
This innovative and finely decorated movement is the subject of three patent applications. One of the three patents filed for this unique movement focuses on the balancing mechanism of the frame, which needed an innovative solution to ensure smooth operation even when subjected to shocks. By positioning the center of gravity on the pivoting axis, the impact of linear shocks is minimized. However, angular accelerations may still affect the frame and its components. To counteract this, the frame drives a rotating mass in opposite directions, cancelling out dynamic effects during impacts or angular accelerations.
The remaining two patent applications pertain to the mechanism for displaying time using the tens and units discs. One patent covers the hour indicator, featuring two discs driven by a single triangular-toothed star wheel that display hours using a 12-jump kinematic system, preventing de-indexing. The second patent is for an instant drive mechanism allowing smooth counter-clockwise time adjustment without double jumping or desynchronization.
The watch is paired with a black alligator leather strap fastened by a newly designed pin buckle in 4N rose gold with grade 5 titanium inserts, customised with the Cyrus logo.
Produced in a limited edition of only 18 pieces, the new Cyrus Etheral Twin Orbital Tourbillon, has a price of CHF 330,000, before sales taxes. cyruswatches.com
Suggested reading:
- Interview: Jean-Francois Mojon, Technical Director at Cyrus and Founder of Chronode
- Interview: Jean-Francois Mojon, Technical Director at Cyrus and Founder of Chronode
Impressive watch. It has to be fun to wear it!
ReplyDeleteYou are right. Great feelings wearing it. We loved it.
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