If you ever wished time could pass more quickly, or more slowly, now it can, at least on your wrist. The Clef du Temps Tourbillon is the brainchild of Mathias Buttet, founder of Confrérie Horlogère. The timepiece incorporates a mechanism that allows the owner to modulate the speed of time or, more precisely, to control the running speed of the hours, minutes and seconds displayed by the watch.
This feat is accomplished via a three-position crown at 9 o’clock, as follows:
Crown position 1: the pace of time slows by half, so the value of one normal hour is displayed as a half-hour on the dial.
Crown position 2: the pace of time is normal, i.e. one hour remains one hour.
Crown position 3: the pace of time is doubled, so a half-hour becomes a full hour as displayed on the watch.
The real trick is that no matter how long the watch is left in position 1 or position 3, returning the crown to position 2 instantly returns the hands to the correct current time. The Clef du Temps will be produced in a limited series of 24 pieces, allowing 24 lucky people the luxury of controlling the passage of time, at least on their wrists.
The Clef du Temps also displays running seconds via a retrograde indicator at 4 o’clock, and the remaining power reserve is displayed at 8 o’clock. The futuristic case is crafted in grade 5 titanium and the strap is composed of eight rubber-clad strands and a deployant clasp that features the Confrérie Horlogère logo.
The Clef du Temps prototype brought the second highest price of €280,000 ($410,000) at the recent Only Watch charity auction to benefit children affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Like all Confrérie Horlogère products, “La Clef du Temps” carries a lifetime warranty, and every part and component of the watch is Swiss-made.
You may click the images to view larger versions.
