A MECHANICAL BALLET IN THREE DIMENSIONS

The new collection of watches that has been produced in the Perrelet factory is available in three models with structured, three-dimensional dials

Since the invention of its double rotor system in 1995, Perrelet has become a past master in the art of hypnotising the eye with this oscillating weight placed at the side of the dial which dances when the wrist is moving. The company, founded almost 240 years ago by the Neuchâtel watchmaker Abraham-Louis Perrelet (1729-1826) and now established in Bienne, in the Canton of Berne, takes pleasure in designing ways that time can be displayed, making it live, in the literal sense of the word as well as figuratively. You can see this in their new collection called simply LAB.

The LAB range is available with dials in three elegant colours: an intense black, a grey which is mid-way between anthracite and gunmetal, and a timeless silver. It has a very structured dial with a central disc crossed by horizontal lines surrounded by a brushed ring. A large chapter ring holds the minute track, in black or white depending on the chosen model, whereas the facetted, luminescent markers are fixed on a sapphire crystal ring, giving the hour rim the appearance of floating in the air. At the heart of the dial lies a trio of metallic hands that display the hours, minutes and seconds. The date is shown in white on a black background (except for the model with the silver dial where the colours are reversed) in a display at the 6 o’clock position.

The most spectacular aspect of the Perrelet’s LAB, however, is its oscillating weight on a rolling bearing, placed under the ring holding the markers. The part of it that can be seen is decorated with oblique lines and whirls on the dial. This rotor includes the calibre P-411, a self-winding mechanical movement designed and produced by Perrelet. It provides a 42-hour power reserve and is housed within the stainless steel, cushion-shaped case (42x42mm).

Price: 4,950 CHF

By Sharmila Bertin