The first model by French designer Simon Brette: a solotempo with an in-house calibre and top-class finishing.
With aten years' experience as an engineer at Jean-François Mojon's ChronodeSimon Brette had no choice but to launch an extraordinary watch: the Chronomètre Artisans Subscription Edition.
It is a distillation of mechanical refinement and craftsmanship that pays homage to the haute horlogerie of the past, starting with the choice of the sole function of indicating the time, without complications, in order to concentrate on the essential and develop it to the maximum of technical and aesthetic possibilities.
Simon Brette Chronomètre Artisans Subscription Edition: tribute to the past
The SBCA manufacture calibre is a homage to 19th century marine chronometers.
The 39 mm case is made of zirconium while the SBCA manufacture calibre is intended as a homage to 19th century marine chronometers with the classic three-quarter plate, large balance wheel, 18,000 vibrations per hour frequency and two barrels guaranteeing a 72-hour power reserve.
The attention to detail is maniacal as is easily understood from the winding crown wheel, with the triple row of differently shaped teeth visible from the back, together with the two barrels with the concave mirror decoration and the escapement.
Each component is hand-decorated (such as concave-head screws and hot-blued hands), but it is the dial that is the truly amazing element.The rose gold background is shaped so as to leave the time train and reloading ratchet in view and is decorated with a dragon scale finish that creates a constant play of reflections.
The first 12 examples, already sold out, were produced to order (hence the name 'Subscription Edition'): in fact a limited edition, but they are working on series production with the case in traditional materials and the dial with a different finish from the first edition. Information and contacts at the site: www.simonbrette.com
