This watch has been around for a while but we understand it has only recently become available on the market. Having developed the first automatic watch with a digital display, Ventura and its founder Pierre Nobs disappeared from the watch scene in 2007. Now, however, they have returned to centre stage with the SPARC MGS®, the first high-end automatic watch with a digital display driven by a micro-generator visible in the upper part of the case.
The multifunctional SPARC MGS® contains two separate manufacture movements. While the mechanical Micro-Generator-Sytem (MGS®) transforms wrist-movements into electric energy to power the digital time-module, the ingenious EasySkroll® operating system governs the multiple functions, such as the 100-year perpetual calendar or dual time zone, alarm, countdown or chronograph, intuitively via a single scroller.
The ergonomic architecture of this unusual timepiece was awarded with the international Good Design prize 2011 in Japan, and the Red Dot Design Award Best of the Best 2012 – which strikes me as kind of early in the year to reach that decision.
Wrist movements feed an accumulator providing power to the high-performance microprocessor, along the same lines as Seiko Kinetic. Multiple functions, like the 100-year perpetual calendar, are just a fingertip away, thanks to the timepiece’s EasySkroll® operating system. The animated video below shows you how it all comes together. Price is expected to be around $4,500.00.
Specifications
Movement: Automatic, barrel-powered micro-generator, 45-day power reserve, tungsten rotor
Functions: EasySkroll® operating system with the following indicators: T1/Date, T2/Date 2, T1 and T2 Alarm, perpetual calendar, chronograph, countdown, choice of display – 12 or 24 hours and 3 date formats
Case: Scratch-proof Durinox® hardened stainless steel, or black PVD-treated, 56.3 x 38 mm Upper part with rotor and micro-generator; lower part with digital display, Sapphire crystal
Water-resistant: to 30m
Dial: LCD screen, LED backlighting
Bracelet/Strap: Rubber, or Durinox® steel (black PVD-treated or not), with safety folding clasp
