Christophe Claret presents the Legend Collection of Westminster Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon Unique Pieces celebrating Sheikh Zayed —founder of the United Arab Emirates—, Amir Timur —Uzbeks most formidable warrior better known as Tamerlane—, King Ibn Saud —founder of Saudi Arabia—, Jinmu Tennô —the very first Emperor and mythical founder of the imperial dynasty of Japan—, and Suleiman the Magnificent —tenth and longest-reigning Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
Since the day when Christophe Claret, then a student, entered the workshop of a watchmaker-restorer, he has nourished a passion for complicated timepieces, in particular old pocket watches, often equipped with a locking mechanism. Minute-repeaters, real little chefs-d’œuvre of precision striking hours, quarters, and minutes on demand. He has continuously studied, understood, and improved this grand complication which many consider being the finest in watchmaking. Because of technical complexity is added musical poetry. In 1989, the first caliber signed by Christophe Claret was a minute repeater. A series of watches with evocative names followed: Adagio, Soprano, Allegro, Concertino, Napoleon, Jinmu Tennô, and today Sheikh Zayed, becomes the new flagship of these unique prestigious pieces.
All these watches are cased in a generous 47 mm case and powered by the 511-part calibre NBC98 manual wound movement. Beating at a frequency 21,600 vph by means of its flying tourbillon, the NBC98 calibre comes to life thanks to a single barrel. The mechanism has a power reserve of around 60 hours. The request for the minute repeater is traditionally made through a sliding pusher on the left side of the case. We can therefore contemplate the animation of the Jaquemart automata while listening to the melodious sound of time by the Westminster cathedral chimes.
Christophe Claret is the designer of this four-branch balance wheel which offers an inertia/weight ratio close to the ideal balance. Although very complex to manufacture, this aerodynamic balance is easy to adjust and balance. The cathedral gongs of the Legend collections with the Westminster chimes have been the subject of special care. This type of gong has the particularity of going around the movement twice in order to express sounds that are longer, clearer, and more powerful. Excellence is required for their manufacture in drawn steel, for their assembly and tuning. They benefit from a patented in-house invention that blocks significant vibrations despite their exceptional lengths and thus prohibits all parasitic noises.
Sheikh Zayed Westminster Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon
Christophe Claret wanted to pay homage to the people of the United Arab Emirates and to a great Arab legend by creating an exceptional watch bearing the image of the initiator of the formation of the United Arab Emirates: Skeikh Zayed. The Sheihk Zayed Westminster Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon with cathedral gongs and jaquemart automata is available in two unique pieces, one in 5N red gold and one in titanium. Entirely handmade miniature painting, by Mr. André Martinez, is thus staged in the new painting of the Legend unique piece collection of Christophe Claret. The animation module was specially created to respect the 19th-century work that served as a model for this timepiece. To decorate the center of the flying tourbillon, Christophe Claret has chosen to honor the royal falcon, a symbol of royalty.
Sticker Price CHF650,000 Swiss Francs for Titanium and CHF680,000 Swiss Francs for 5N Red gold.
Amir Timur Westminster Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon
Christophe Claret wanted to pay homage to the people of Uzbeks and one of his most formidable warriors: Amir Timur better known as Tamerlane. This warlord conquered part of Central Asia in 1360. He then became Emir of Transoxiana and built an immense empire based on military power and terror. Entirely handmade miniature painting, by Mr. André Martinez, is thus staged in the new painting of the Legend unique piece collection of Christophe Claret. The animation module was specially created to respect the 19th-century work that served as a model for this timepiece. To decorate the center of the flying tourbillon, Christophe Claret has chosen the breastplate of Amir Timur's armor. The Amir Timur is available in two unique pieces, one in 5N red gold and one in titanium.
Sticker Price CHF650,000 Swiss Francs for Titanium and CHF680,000 Swiss Francs for 5N Red gold.
King Ibn Saud Westminster Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon
Christophe Claret wanted to pay homage to the people of Saudi Arabia and his founder by creating an exceptional watch bearing the image of King Ibn Saud. Entirely handmade miniature painting, by Mr. André Martinez, is thus staged in the new painting of the Legend unique piece collection of Christophe Claret. The animation module was specially created to respect the 19th-century work that served as a model for this timepiece. To decorate the center of the flying tourbillon, Christophe Claret has chosen to honor the Saud family crest. The King Ibn Saud is available in two unique pieces, one in 5N red gold and one in titanium.
Sticker Price CHF650,000 Swiss Francs for Titanium and CHF680,000 Swiss Francs for 5N Red gold.
Jinmu Tennô Westminster Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon
Christophe Claret wanted to pay homage to the people of Japan and his sovereign by creating an exceptional watch in the effigy of the very first Emperor, the mythical founder of the imperial dynasty of Japan: Jinmu Tennô. In Japan, he is considered a direct descendant of the famous Japanese Sun deity, Amaterasu. Based on history, Jinmu Tennô and some of his soldiers following the mythical crow Yatagarasu were sent from heaven to guide the Emperor. Entirely handmade miniature painting, by Mr. André Martinez, is thus staged in the new painting of the Legend unique piece collection of Christophe Claret. The animation module was specially created to respect the 19th-century work that served as a model for this timepiece. To decorate the center of the flying tourbillon, Christophe Claret has chosen to honor imperial chrysanthemum, a symbol of the dynasty. The Jinmu Tennô is available in two unique pieces, one in 5N red gold and one in grade 5 blue PVD Titanium.
Sticker Price CHF650,000 Swiss Francs for Titanium and CHF680,000 Swiss Francs for 5N Red gold.
Suleiman the Magnificent Westminster Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon
Christophe Claret wanted to pay homage to the tenth and longest-reigning Sultan of the Ottoman Empire Suleiman the Magnificent. This Sultan reigned from 1520 until his death in 1566. He expanded both the territory and the revenue of the Ottoman empire and built up Constantinople as the empire's capital. Entirely handmade miniature painting, by Mr. André Martinez, is thus staged in the new painting of the Legend unique piece collection of Christophe Claret. The animation module was specially created to respect the 19th-century work that served as a model for this timepiece. To decorate the center of the flying tourbillon, Christophe Claret has chosen the star and crescent symbol of the Turkish flag and the religion of Islam. The Suleiman the Magnificent is available in three unique pieces, one in 5N red gold, one in grade 5 blue PVD Titanium, and one in grade 5 titanium.
Sticker Price CHF650,000 Swiss Francs for Titanium and CHF680,000 Swiss Francs for 5N Red gold.
