C – Titanium Edition Three

• Limited Edition: 38-piece limited edition in titanium, engraved “1 of 38” on the back of the movement
• Case: Grade 5 titanium; 41mm x 9.55mm, lugs to lugs: 49.5 mm
• Size: 41 mm x 9.55 mm
• Movement: In-house, hand-wound movement, Components made from: Titanium, steel, stainless steel and German silver Finishing: Superlative decoration by hand Treatment: Natural titanium bridges and rhodium-treated gears.
• Function: stop-seconds mechanism that uses a snail cam
• Power Reserve: approximately 60 hrs
• Water Resistance: 50 m
• Dial: Three-dimensional straight-graining structure dial in natural Grade 5 titanium with protective layer against UV rays; Off-centered hours and minutes; Small seconds at 7 o’clock with 5-second intervals marked by tapering bright ice blue lines
• Caseback: Sapphire crystal with interior anti-reflection coating, front and display back
• Hands: Super-LumiNova-filled 18k white gold hands and applied numerals and hour markers
• Strap/Bracelet: Supplied with grey rubber strap with specially developed, satin-finished and polished natural Grade 5 titanium pin buckle.

Always in continuity and modernity, C by Romain Gauthier Titanium Edition Three introduces a new dial that has been structured to provide a three-dimensional straight-graining texture, and a new color combination with the blue lines of the small seconds dial and the rubber ring. 

The importance of the C in its name lies in this approach of creation, referring to the continuum, to continuity in space-time and to continuity in the broadest sense.  The case had to be in harmony with the movement. Comfort, ergonomics and the choice of materials also contributed to the design. The dial evokes a sense of continuity, as there is no circle completes the time indication.

Inspired by the finger bridges style, the design of the movement follows the watchmaking history of the Vallée de Joux, with a modern approach, reflecting Romain’s vision of the evolution of tradition. 

C IN DETAIL

Looking closely, one will see that the hour-minute hands are actually off-centered on the horizontal axis and the hour indices taper ever so slightly and are of varying lengths, while the 5-second intervals of the small seconds at 7 o’clock are also marked by tapering bright red lines of differing lengths.

Romain explains this purposeful play on perspective, saying: “Rather than a series of enclosed circles, I wanted an open, airy dial on which full or part orthogonal lines form vanishing points with the axes of the hands, reinforcing the notion of continuity.” 

The tapering, three-dimensional hands and index are made from 18k white gold and filled with Super-LumiNova for enhanced legibility, as are the numerals and applied hour markers, each of which has been produced from a single piece of white gold and features beveled edges. The dial plate itself is made from titanium that has been sand-blasted and treated with a special coating that protects it against UV rays.

Eye-catching case and strap 
Framing the dial is a titanium bezel which is first machined into a round shape featuring a circular bevel before six straight sides are cut into it to create 6 facets. While these facets, which have been polished, reflect the light and bring the bezel to life, the rest of the bezel absorbs light thanks to its satin-finishing. The same facetted design is replicated around the sapphire crystal on the back of the watch.

In between the bezel and case back, the one-piece case band and lugs are geometrically sculpted, with satin and polished finishes as well as aesthetic grooves cleverly deployed to draw out the resulting shapes. Meanwhile, the rubber strap with titanium pin buckle follows the form of the angular lugs and rounded case band so it appears as a continuous, organic extension of the case.

Romain has placed the crown for winding and time-setting at 2 o’clock, freeing up space for wrist movement. A rubber ring around the crown makes it easier to manipulate, as well as adding a dash of color to the timepiece.

Romain has endowed C with a stop-seconds – or hacking seconds – mechanism, allowing the wearer to set the time exactly according to a reference time.

Instead of using a straight or L-shaped balance stop lever to halt the balance, Romain has opted to employ a snail cam that performs a double function: It touches and stops the balance wheel when the crown is pulled out and, when the crown is pushed back in, the snail cam makes a turn, giving the balance an impulse to help it start beating again.  Those familiar with the brand will know Romain has used the snail cam’s unique shape in his past creations: It appears on the watchmaker’s acclaimed Logical One.

In-house movement where design and decoration meet modernity

The themes of modernity and continuity carry over to the manual-winding, in-house movement. Taking center stage are a number of finger bridges – historically typical of the Vallée de Joux, Romain’s birthplace – but reinterpreted here in a contemporary way.  For starters, these bridges are horizontally configured and feature a ‘stepped’ shape – previously seen on some of Logical One’s bridges – that not only provides volume and depth, but also gives the sense that the bridges are literally flowing over the gears and balance wheel, with no clear end to them.

Like the case components and the dial plate, the bridges are made from lightweight, Grade 5 titanium and they boast contrasting tones and textures thanks to a variety of finishes. The outer edges of each bridge all feature a double bevel, while the flat bridge surfaces and rubies are each framed by a raised border that has been straight-grained.  Within these borders, the hand-finishing specialists at Manufacture Romain Gauthier have used a special hand-engraving technique to create a highly original dimpled texture. The movement main plate beneath has been hand-frosted.

Romain’s trademark gears and ratchet wheel featuring circular, beveled spokes have been circular-grained, while the click, snail cam and screws with S-slot heads – another signature of Romain – have been highly polished. Finally, the lid of the mainspring barrel has been embellished with a superb snailing decoration.  C by Romain Gauthier’s regulator features the Romain Gauthier balance wheel with curved arms and calibrated eccentric weights, plus hand-assembled pallet lever that is triangular for maximum rigidity.

C by Romain Gauthier Titanium Edition Three is a 38-piece limited edition, engraved “1 of 38” on the back of each movement.

Romain Gauthier