Just in time for WatchTime Los Angeles this weekend (get your tickets here), Romain Gauthier has announced a new white gold iteration for the Insight Micro-Rotor joining past editions in rose gold, platinum, and titanium. For those unfamiliar with the Insight Micro-Rotor, it is perhaps — alongside the GPHG-winning Logical One — the most recognized timepiece for Gauthier and his eponymous firm. Originally released as Gauthier’s first automatic timepiece in early 2017, the watch’s signature feature is its bidirectional micro-rotor that is visible from the dial side and from the exhibition caseback. 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. There are a few additional, new details to go along with the white gold case. Exclusive to this run of 30 pieces is the hand-frosted mainplate which is now gilded and complemented by palladium-treated bridges.
The back side of the watch is also dynamic, with the micro-rotor visibly setting into motion the gear train, starting with the reversing gear that controls the bidirectional winding mechanism. Also eye-catching are the beveled, circular arms of the gears and ratchets; the hand-made, hand-polished bevels of the bridges; the countersinks for the movement’s 28 jewels, which are fixed in place by Romain Gauthier’s signature screws with “S”-shaped slots; and the linear plaquettes adorning the curvilinear-shaped bridges. As always with Romain Gauthier, you can expect to find some of the highest levels of finishing in the contemporary watch industry and that remains true here with stunning examples of hand polishing, hand graining, and snailing. 
The dimensions of the watch remain the same for the white gold edition at an extremely wearable 39.5 mm by 12.9 mm. The wearability of the Insight Micro-Rotor makes it a personal favorite of mine as it’s sometimes difficult to find examples of haute horlogerie in a sub-40-mm design. As a whole, the Insight Micro-Rotor has a lot to offer by way of its level of discretion on the wrist which has only been enhanced in the white gold design.
The Romain Gauthier Insight Micro-Rotor in white gold is priced at CHF 79,000. In total, 30 pieces will be available with 10 featuring a white enamel dial with flame-blued steel hands, 10 featuring a blue enamel dial with 18k white gold hands, and 10 featuring a black enamel dial with 18k white gold hands.
Interested in being one of the first American collectors to try on the Insight Micro-Rotor in white gold and meet with Romain Gauthier himself? You’ll have the opportunity starting tomorrow night to go hands-on with it and hundreds of other timepieces from the other 25 brands at WatchTime Los Angeles. Tickets are going fast; order yours now!
Machine and Art