Hvilina Does the Locomotion with the New L&MR Rainhill Trails

Polish brand Hvilina has a sincere passion for trains and railroads. While they already made quite an impression with the L&MR Mechanical, Hvilina is upping their game. The new L&MR Rainhill Trails tells the time in a unique yet very appropriate way, through two miniature trains.

The fact that they seem to race each other around the dial is also a historic reference, as the Rainhill Trials was the first and only race ever held between locomotives. They were held in 1829 from October 4th to the 14th by the Liverpool & Manchester Railway (L&MR) to determine which locomotive was best suited for the nearly completed railway between these two cities. It was George Stephenson's Rocket that turned out to be victorious, ushering in a new chapter of the Industrial Revolution.

The Hvilina L&MR Rainhill Trails is also somewhat of a revolution, bringing fun in a very serious package. Using miniature figures in watches is not something new, but it is usually associated with high-priced pieces. At €1,100 (pre-order price), this Hvilina is far from that, yet little sacrifice is required for it. Each locomotive is around 4mm long and 2mm high, making them not only easy to spot on the dial but also allowing Hvilina to add recognizable details. The locomotive telling the hours is shaped like the Rocket, while the locomotive for the minutes is a look-alike for the Novelty. This locomotive was the public's favorite, but it could not prevent the Rocket from taking first place.

The dial is slightly skeletonized, allowing you to see the Sellita SW200-based movement. The seconds are indicated by the only hand on the watch, located in the center. The bold hour markers on a grooved ring separate the two locomotives, which occasionally drive into a 'depot,' or 'tunnel' when you opt for the green version, on which text and numbers further help with telling the time. It is impressive that Hvilina was able to keep the diameter of the watch in check, at 41.2mm, while at the same time limiting its height to 12.8mm. This makes the L&MR Rainhill Trails a very wearable watch. It is fitted with a sapphire crystal on both sides, also allowing you to see the skeletonized movement and oscillating weight. 

Hvilina offers the L&MR Rainhill Trails in four different versions: stainless steel case with either a silver or a green dial, a stainless steel version with gold PVD coating, and a brown dial, as well as an all black version. The pre-order price of all four models is €1,100 and each version is limited to 500 pieces.

For more info, visit Hvilina, here.