BASELWORLD 2019 REVISTED:

Romain Gauthier Introduces Two New Takes on the Logical One and Insight Micro-Rotor


Romain Gauthier didn’t technically release any new timepieces or movements during Baselworld 2019, but he did offer up two aesthetic updates to the Logical One and Insight Micro-Rotor. Check them out below.

The Romain Gauthier Insight Micro-Rotor Black Titanium with blue grand feu enamel dial.

For those unfamiliar with the Insight Micro-Rotor, here’s a brief download on the watch that was originally launched in 2017. The watch’s signature feature — its bidirectional micro-rotor – is visible from the dial side and from the back. Rotating smoothly and silently and positioned between two bridges, this compact oscillating mass winds a double mainspring barrel to store 80 hours of power reserve. The barrels are series-connected in order to supply a more constant flow of power to the regulator. The time is displayed on two off-center, overlapping subdials, one for hours and minutes, the other for small seconds. Also showcased on the front of the timepiece is the movement’s balance, at 6 o’clock, which beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph; the circular cutout in the movement mainplate that frames the swaying micro-rotor; and a golden plaquette engraved with the Romain Gauthier “RG” logo. The back side of the watch is also unique, with the micro-rotor visibly setting into motion the gear train, starting with the reversing gear that controls the bidirectional winding mechanism.

The latest addition to the Insight Micro-Rotor family features a blue grand feu enamel dial that is frosted to give it a shimmering effect. The new release is limited to 10 total pieces and is priced at CHF 73,000.

The Romain Gauthier Logical One, now gem-set with 92 baguette-cut diamonds.

The Logical One won the GPHG award for Men’s Complication when it was released in 2013 for a good reason. Gauthier’s research and development into the traditional fusee-and-chain constant force mechanism was a revolution in the usage of energy efficiency for a wristwatch. Gauthier and his team developed the caliber in-house and it’s on full display through sapphire crystals in the front and back. Situated to the left of the hours-and-minutes dial and its overlapping small seconds subdial, the chain-and-fusee mechanism has an unusual snail cam connected to the mainspring barrel by a ruby-link chain. With the snail cam and mainspring barrel thus configured to be on the same plane, force is transmitted in a straight line for an ultra-efficient transfer of energy. The relatively short length of the chain — which is joined together via a smart snap-clip system — enabled its designers to use strong, extra-large steel links, with rollers made from low-friction, hard-wearing synthetic rubies. To eliminate potential uneven friction within the mainspring barrel — a problem that occurs when the metal spring scratches against the edges of the brass barrel while it is unwinding — Romain Gauthier has placed the mainspring in the Logical One between synthetic sapphire plates. Sapphire has a low coefficient of friction with steel, making it an ideal material for this purpose. The result of all these innovations, according to the brand, is a movement boasting two full days of constant force, and hence a high level of timekeeping precision. Another distinguishing feature of this watch is its clever push-button winding system, with an ergonomic pusher set into the side of the 43-mm case at 9 o’clock. Protruding just slightly from the caseband and following its curves, this pusher efficiently transmits force to the barrel on the same plane. When fully wound via this pleasurably tactile method, the watch stores 46 hours of power reserve, which is displayed on an indicator on the back of the fully visible movement. The time on the hour and minute hands are set separately, via a crown at 2 o’clock.

This year, the Logical One in its white gold dressing boasts 92 baguette-cut diamonds totaling 7.2 carats across its bezel, lugs, and clasp. It’s a one-of-a-kind piece with its price available upon request.

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