The watch shown in the picture, to some extent, represents the highest level of finishing in the watchmaking industry. It is created by Romain Gauthier, an independent watchmaker based in La Vallée de Joux. As the origin for high-end Swiss watchmaking, the prestigious Vallee de joux never lacks miracles and perfection. The new watch by Romain Gauthier is definitely one of them.
The external design is fabulous. The 41mm case is in solid 18K gold, with extremely polished finish. The three-piece dial in 18k rose gold features a hand-guilloched finish, decorated with hour and minute hands in the same material and design. The watch presents a fashionable off-centered time display. The hands seem not so off-central as other watches with the controversial feature, because they are actually mounted on the small black dial surrounded by the gold index circle and the hand-crafted decorative pattern. On the contrary, the exceptional dial layout demonstrates strong layering and deliberate translocation full of visual appeal. There are sapphire crystals on the front and back, both finished with anti-reflective treatment.
Through the transparent case back, we are allowed to admire the best craftsmanship in the industry. The movement is the Romain Gauthier 2206 Hm, a hand-wound calibre movement with 22 jewels. Maybe some people will ask where is the crown after looking at the front view of the watch. Well, the answer is in the back, where a ingenious crown is placed horizontally under the movement. It is very cool and practical that we can easily wound crown while the watch is being worn. Secured by four inertia screws with regulation indicators, the bespoke balance wheel makes it possible that more torque can be applied with less chance of damage and slipping.
Surprisingly, all parts of the movement are developed and manufactured with highly distinctive hand finishing. As known to some people in-the-know, sharp angles on bridges and baseplates are the most difficult things in the creation of handmade movements. Among them, inward angle is the hardest of the hardest. To distinguish whether the movement is hand-made lies in whether these sharp angles are handled well. Currently, no machine, however expensive it is, can finish such angles well. Moreover, I have never seen a watch that does better in the most difficult task than Romain Gauthier.
Except the red gold black dial version, there are another four variations available: red gold champagne dial edition, diamonds edition, white gold edition and platinum edition. They are all shown in the next few photos. Price for this gorgeous watch is not sure. But it could be set at a high level, because every edition is extremely limited to 38 pieces, while the diamonds edition only comes with 8 pieces. As a perfect blend of clean contemporary design and innovative micro-engineering with traditional haute horlogerie, these admirable Romain Gauthier watches are sure to blossom in radiant splendor in the new year.
