This time of year is without doubt one of the busiest in the watch making industry. Last week we brought you extensive coverage of SIHH 2013, which showcased some of this year’s newest watch collections. This week, Click Tempus will bring you the highlights from the Geneva Time Exhibition, which ran from 20-24th January.
Despite being launched earlier in 2012, the Badollet Ivresse was still one of the major talking points of GTE 2013. Badollet, a Geneva based watch maker, specialises in producing watches aimed at the very top end of the market, targeting fine horology experts and true connoisseurs. The kinds of people who purchase a Badollet timepiece are normally those who don’t need the finer details of a watch mechanism explained to them!
Normally producing fewer than 100 timepieces a year, the Ivresse is limited to just 30 pieces and is a pretty unique watch in terms of its design and execution. The watch’s rectangular shaped case features a slight curve and leaves an abundance of unused space on the dial. The man behind the design is Eric Giroud, one of the world’s leading watch designers.
It is said that the Ivresse took over 420 hours to assemble. The watch features a case made from 95% platinum and which has a length of 53.80mm and is 30mm wide. The case is then characterised by its rectangular rounded bezel which seems to just poke out from its lower level. Inside, you’ll find a flying tourbillion, which interestingly is only visible through the watch’s anti-reflective sapphire crystal case back, as opposed to being displayed at the front of the watch.
Aside from Giroud, ex Jaeger-Le Coultre watch engineer, David Candaux was also involved in creating the Ivresse, being responsible for the creating the watch’s ‘reverse engineering’ movement that is able to fit inside its curved case. The manual winding movement also has a 120 power reserve. The watch is completed by a midnight blue alligator leather strap, with matching platinum 950 pin.
In fact, the choice of midnight blue for the colour of the dial adds to the watch’s subtle approach, with the only branding element of the timepiece being the Badollet griffin, which is found at 12 o’clock.
The Ivresse is incredibly elegant and discreet, which in the world of watch making can often mean a hefty price tag and this watch is no exception! At 188,000 CHF (about £128,000), it will almost certainly be out of most collectors’ price range.
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