For the first time, two great names, the Cercle des Horlogers and Agenhor, have come together on a joint engineering project whose aesthetic is the brainchild of renowned Swiss designer Eric Giroud.
All images courtesy of Le Rhöne Watches: Exclusive Swiss High Watchmaking (lerhone.com)
The reflection of a world where creativity and excellence are the rule.
True to the LE RHÖNE spirit, the quintessence of the values and know-how developed by the Swiss watch brand over 10 years, the Horölogy “10th Anniversary" was designed by Swiss designer Eric Giroud and comes with a QP Tourbillon Retrograde movement conceived and developed in collaboration with two of the most prestigious Swiss watchmaking ateliers, Le Cercle des Horlogers and Agenhor, who are for the first time joining forces on a horological project.
Le Rhöne MOON Aventurine an exclusive in-house complication comes to light with the contrasts of the blue or black cosmic dial rotating on the top of the moon. This disk is crafted of a mother-of-pearl or silver texturized and surrounded by a SuperLuminova star studded sky. Learn more about Moön traceability
Since 2013, Le Rhöne has defined itself as a creative and independent brand of Haute Horlogerie, accessible to an active and dynamic clientele, with a style, both sporty and contemporary chic, known for its refined finishes. Le Rhöne distinguishes itself not only by its unique complications and instantly recognizable design, the brand is also known for the supreme quality and reliability of its watches. From Porrentruy to Geneva, 100% of the components – case, movement, dial, finishes, bracelet – are all designed and entirely manufactured in French-speaking Switzerland.
10 years, the blink of an eye in the grand scheme of things, the age of a child in full development – in just a decade, Le Rhöne has established itself as a brand appreciated by for its original style and signature elegance.
Le Rhöne MOON Aventurine
At Geneva Watch Week 2023, to celebrate its first 10 years of existence, Le Rhöne unveils a remarkable Anniversary piece: a perpetual calendar tourbillon timepiece made of platinum and titanium, a special execution within the HORÖLOGY collection, Le Rhöne’s dedicated realm for Complications watches.
Less is more...
New case, new dimensions – the spirit of Le RHÖNE is strong in this Anniversary timepiece, inaugurating a new design developed in collaboration with the famous Swiss designer Eric Giroud. Understatement was the watchword throughout the conception of the timepiece, with its measured, refined and discreet design contrasting with the imposing diameter of a 45mm case and the complexity of the movement hinted at inside. Whilst symbolizing the quintessence of Le Rhöne's design and technical codes, Horölogy “10th Anniversary” modernizes the collection’s aesthetic. For instance, the bezel as such now disappears into the case, becoming an integral part of it along the entire profile line, expressing a continuous harmony, as well as an elegant and refined smoothness. A larger dial aperture Proceeding further, though the bezel is gone, its presence subtly persists and can be inferred from the shape of the dial which now benefits from a larger visual space. The whole gains in openness, clarity, amplitude and purity! An aesthetic direction that already foreshadows the work of Le Rhöne’s design team in the future. From a profile perspective, the construction of five superimposed elements presents a perfectly balanced unit, giving it a fluid line and particularly satisfying ergonomics. Thus, while its volume – not least due to a 45mm diameter – may seem imposing, the perception is quite different when the watch is on the wrist. Using an upper shell and two complex curved cover plates of platinum sandwiching the titanium case (to make the whole lighter), the designer’s approach reveals a three-dimensional depth of character. Behind the minimalistic appearance, the whole proves particularly complex, with polished and satin finishes playing off each other and subtly bringing out the different materials and textures but also the horological functions.
Remarkable readability
The dial on the watch is pure, refined in its simplicity, and particularly elegant. The color is a deep, smooth, dark midnight blue with a velvety opaline texture that contrasts with the alternating white and gray silvered decal indications and the Le Rhöne signature in the form of a small, hexagonal, satin-finished gold plate with polished bevels in the center. Le Rhöne’s signature hour and minute hands, evoking a sword, have been revisited for a thinner and more contemporary look. Faceted and with polished bevels as well, both are satin-finished on their upper surface and feature a central vein of midnight blue Super-LumiNova™. As a result, the whole plays with light and its reflections, offering more contrast for easy legibility. The indexes give way to twelve tubes, conduits rather, filled at the upper section with Super-LumiNova™; around the edge of the dial, an elegant minute track, complemented by a matte black flange to accentuate the sense of visual depth. The whole is well balanced spatially and the indications easy to read. The hands move deliberately across the dial and are adjusted for accurate reading. The fonts are decidedly contemporary. On the left side, the days of the week are displayed in an arc; this is mirrored on the right side by an arc indicating the date. At noon, a smaller discreet arc indicates the month of the year as well as leap years. At 6 o’clock, the flying tourbillon cage with its three stylized R’s; it rotates in 60 seconds. The details are subtle and discreet. The dial is easy to read and simple to use. It is perfect for those who seek a classic and timeless look. Finally, the right-handed crown, which has also been redesigned, features a midnight blue rubber insert to comfortably wind the watch; it elegantly echoes the dial. For the first time, the brand's propeller-shaped symbol with its three stylized R’s – found on all moving parts (tourbillon, oscillating weight) of Le Rhöne watches – is also emblazoned on its profile. The strap, which reinforces the sport chic character of the watch, is made of rubber, also tone-on-tone with the dial, and stands out by its skillful workmanship; in harmony with the lines of the case, combining strength and comfort.
A movement whose every angle is patiently finished by hand
While the 303-component movement is finished to the highest standards of Haute Horlogerie, its resolutely contemporary architecture is revealed by a rhodium-plated, stylized Le Rhöne micro-rotor that occupies only one third of the movement, allowing the beautiful mechanism to be admired in full. The decoration is microblasted while the bridges are patiently beveled by hand. The colors of the movement are of particular interest, shades of grey anthracite, the dominant shade of ruthenium, accentuating the modernity of its architecture.
And because the Horölogy “10th Anniversary” Tourbillon QP Retrograde is primarily designed to be worn by a modern and active clientele, it comes with a comfortable power reserve of about 72 hours. It is also water resistant to 3 ATM, about 30 meters (close to 100 feet).
Ultimately, the Horölogy Tourbillon QP Retrograde is a celebration of savoir-faire, expertise, human genius, the master’s instinctive hand gesture; an understated and contemporary aesthetic combined with great technical mastery, one that remains both discreet and graspable.
Le Rhöne celebrates its 10th Anniversary! When the independent Swiss brand Le Rhöne was born in 2013, its two founders Loïc Florentin and Timo Rajakoski (who met on the school benches in Venezuela) nurtured a vision of creative Haute Horlogerie for a very discerning, more dynamic clientele. Renowned for timepieces that are 100% manufactured in French-speaking Switzerland (case, movement, bracelet, including sapphire crystals and all components), Le Rhöne has held the COSC precision certification for its entire production since 2019 (except for the complications). The Horölogy collection, which was launched in 2018 and encompasses Le Rhöne’s suite of grand complication timepieces, is one of the brand’s five flagship collections, along with Moön, Röad Racer, Hedönia and Vöyage. Its design is fully in line with the brand’s range of creations; it speaks to a dynamic and active audience of connoisseurs who enjoy a refined yet casual lifestyle. The anniversary model, even though it is limited to only 10 pieces, may be the gateway for an modern clientele to enter the exclusive world of complications.
HORÖLOGY “10th Anniversary” Tourbillon QP Retrograde
Technical Specifications
DESCRIPTION
Designation HORÖLOGY “10th Anniversary Tourbillon QP Retrograde
Special Anniversary edition, limited to 10 pieces only
New model 2023
CASE
Material PT950 platinum and Grade 5 titanium
Thickness 15.2mm
Diameter 45mm (56.3mm x 48.4mm including les covers and crown)
Crystals Sapphire, antireflective coating on the case back
Bezel and cover plates PT950 platinum
Case back PT950 platinum
Crown PT950 platinum, avec midnight blue rubber insert
Water resistance 3 ATM, about 30 meters (100 feet)
MOVEMENT
Caliber Developed and manufactured in Switzerland jointly by
Le Cercle des Horlogers (Neuchâtel) and Agenhor (Geneva)
Functions Hours and minutes, flying tourbillon
Retrograde perpetual calendar (date, day, month)
Components 303
Rubies 45
Frequency 3 Hz, 21,600 vph
Oscillating mass Exclusive Le Rhöne design, openworked, in the shape of Le Rhöne propeller
Power reserve approx. 72 hours
DIAL
Dial Midnight blue opaline
Retrograde indications of the day, date and month
Hour markers ‘Tube’-type, grey-white silver with Super-LumiNova™
Minute markers Baton-type, grey-white silver
Hands Polished and satin-brushed, with midnight blue Super-LumiNova™ centerline
Signature Hexagonal, gilt, satin-brushed plaque, centered with Le Rhöne signature
STRAP & BUCKLE
Material Alligator, midnight blue
Buckle Grade 5 titanium
Price
Suggested retail price CHF 148.500 taxes included
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