When Christophe Claret was just 14 years old, a chance visit to a watchmaker inspired him to make horology his life’s work.
That turned out to be a wise choice. Today, the exceptional timepieces that bear his name are prized by collectors around the world.
At Baselworld 2013, the company unveiled its latest masterpiece, the Kantharos monopusher chronograph. This automatic-winding timepiece features Christophe Claret’s signature cathedral gong that audibly chimes with each change of function. It is also equipped with a constant-force escapement which considerably reduces timing variations. According to the company, the watch’s perpetually moving mechanism produces a hypnotic visual effect. The Kantharos is available in 5 distinct variations including white or rose gold and titanium and full grey and black titanium. The timepiece incorporates an impressive 558 components and 75 jewels.
Also featuring the company’s patented cathedral gong, the Soprano wristwatch strikes musically-accurate, four-note Westminster Quarters. It contains four visible hammers, a 60-second tourbillon and stepped bridges inspired by the style of Charles X. It is available in a choice of red or white gold, each accented with titanium, and a black hand-sewn alligator strap. A limited edition of eight pieces will be offered for each version.
Christophe Claret’s X-TREM-1 timepiece is as radically different as its name implies. It innovatively incorporates a magnetic field — long known to be the arch enemy of precision mechanisms — into the heart of the watch. This allows two tiny steel spheres to “magically” move within sapphire tubes mounted on each side of the caseband. This innovative new generation of timepieces also features a flying tourbillon set at a 30 degree angle, mounted on a curved titanium mainplate.
