Post by Houston on Nov 2, 2007 7:32:29 GMT -5
No 100 - November 2 2007
OMEGA DE VILLE CENTRAL TOURBILLON
CO-AXIAL CHRONOMETER
Invented over 200 years ago, the tourbillon movement is still considered the pinnacle of watchmaking. In 2007, OMEGA rose to the challenge of taking this jewel of haute horlogerie into the 21st century by introducing the Co-Axial escapement into the movement. The tourbillon itself is placed in the centre of the movement and as is fitting of such an achievement, both it and the Co-Axial escapement are visible through the dial. In addition, the materials and aesthetics were carefully honed to match the bold nature of this mechanical innovation. The tourbillon cage is made of titanium and its’ bridges and plates are finished in a striking chocolate brown colour. The movement itself is housed in a 38.7 mm 18-carat red gold case with matching red gold hands, screws and wheels.
The tourbillon was invented by the Swiss watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1801, its’ concept being that the perpetual rotation of the tourbillon cage was designed to compensate the effect of gravity on the escapement and thus make the watch more precise. Over two hundred years later, the tourbillon is still valued for its’ mechanical mastery. To this day tourbillon watches are assembled by hand and as such, only a few pieces can be produced each year by highly qualified master watchmakers. OMEGA has been producing tourbillons since 1947 and is justifiably proud to present the Central Tourbillon as a testimony to the company’s knowledge and craftsmanship. The intricate construction and reduced size make this mechanism a rarity much sought after by serious collectors of horological masterpieces.
The unusual and intriguing dial of this unique watch is a work of art in its own right. To add a modern twist to the beauty of the tourbillon, it had been made visible in its entirety through sapphire glass which has an anti-reflective treatment on both sides. The sapphire glass dial reveals the exceptional level of thought and detail that has gone into this timepiece. The colour of the hands and screws matches the 18-carat red gold of the seconds track and hour markers. To add a contemporary look, the plate and bridges are an unusual rich brown colour. This is achieved using a treatment of PVD - physical vapour deposition. Sun brushing the metal creates additional texture and adds depth to the bridges.
The tourbillon takes pride of place in full view at the centre of the watch and makes one revolution every minute. The seconds hand is mounted on the tourbillon cage with an Alpha-shaped red gold insert set into the tip of the hand to match the red gold motif of this watch. This seconds hand sweeps over the small etched dots that make up the red gold seconds track.
With the tourbillon mechanism in full view at the centre of the watch, a unique system is used to display the time. Gold Alpha-style hour and minute hands are etched on to two separate sapphire discs, each with an anti-reflective treatment on both sides. The two discs rotate around the centre axis to display the time. Facetted and diamond polished solid gold indexes are applied at 12, 3 and 6 o’clock.
Although the tourbillon was invented over two centuries ago for pocket watch movements and while there have been wrist watches which have featured the tourbillon, this new De Ville Central Tourbillon brings this most magnificent of horological innovations into the present day with an embellishment that is OMEGA's way into the future, the Co-Axial escapement. This distinctive modern touch is seen in the use of titanium to construct the tourbillon cage, making it both lightweight and highly resistant. OMEGA’s Calibre 2635 is a self-winding movement with a 45-hour power reserve. The Co-Axial escapement, exclusive and proprietary OMEGA technology, represents one of the most important advances in watchmaking over the last 250 years. It considerably reduces friction in the heart of the watch mechanism for improved long-term reliability and accuracy. Performance is further enhanced by a free-sprung balance that allows for more precise adjustments of the watch. Such is the precision of this timepiece that it is an officially certified chronometer.
The crown located at 3 o’clock is for winding the movement while a second crown located on the case back is for setting the time. Each Omega Central Tourbillon is personalised with an individual serial number and the words ‘Tourbillon’ engraved on the case back.
Water resistance to 30 metres/100 feet is guaranteed by the classic De Ville Co-Axial case. The Central Tourbillon Co-Axial watch is available exclusively in an 18-carat red gold case and matching foldover clasp on brown alligator leather strap. As a rare example of a self-winding tourbillon movement, the Omega Central Tourbillon Co-Axial watch comes in its own presentation box in the form of a watch winder. This rotating box ensures that the watch stays fully wound even when it is not being worn. Omega produces only a handful of Central Tourbillon models each year. Since all are made to order, these luxury versions are highly exclusive and guaranteed to remain so for years to come.
Pictures and Text Assistance - omegawatches.com
ZIN
Not usually shaken nor stirred ;D ;D ;D
Please Note that our Watch Of The Day Threads are created to present the timeless beauty, elegance, functionality and desirability of OMEGA watches. As such, some items may be discontinued and replaced by newer models.
Others however are part of special limited edition production runs.
SEMPER FI - THERE IS NO COMPROMISE 
