BLU: Majesty Tourbillon MT3 “Essence of the past, vision of the future.”
Posted by Joe Vangieri on 22nd May 2008
Swiss Made. A definition of quality, accuracy and class to the esteemed watch connoisseurs of the world. Etched onto the case back or dial, these words convey an unspoken standard. A standard of superiority, and one of excellence.
Welcome to the universe of BLU. Stationed in Colombier, Switzerland, the watch-making wizard known as Bernhard Lederer defies, yet exceeds, the minimum standards of a Swiss made timepiece. Instead, BLU watches strive to achieve more of an international benchmark.
Enter the blu Majesty Tourbillon MT3. Awarded the Tourism Malaysia Most Revered Watch award in 2007 in Kuala Lumpur, the blu Tourbillon MT3 is the utmost in precision and aesthetic qualities. Given to the most outstanding timepiece in Asia’s largest watch and jewelry fair, the blu Tourbillon MT3 sets itself apart from the competition in terms of design, interpretive approach, innovation and movement complication.
Speaking of the latter, the movement of this masterpiece is one to be admired. Described as a “tourbillon within a tourbillon within a tourbillon”, the highly complicated system possesses three corresponding tourbillons, each of which has their own individual turning speed. But, don’t let the internal complications of the timepiece discourage your love of the mechanics. Reading time on the blu Majesty Tourbillon MT3 requires the same skills as those needed to read time on a traditional timepiece.
Invented in 2006, the orbiting tourbillon movement was created by Lederer in his own workshops at BLU SA, the company he pioneered eight years ago in 2000. Boasting a no-cage construction, the blu Tourbillon MT3 provides an unobstructed view of the watch’s inner workings. An ultra-fine, domed sapphire crystal covers the case’s top, bottom and sides. Slanting down from 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock, the case requires the crystal be perfectly shaped as anti-reflective treatment gives the appearance of no crystal at all. Also missing on the novel timepiece is the dial, which served no purpose due to the time-indicating tourbillons.
In the foreground, a half-flying, one-minute tourbillon rotates atop the flying one-hour tourbillon. The half-flying construction of the one-minute tourbillon rotates the case once every minute to indicate the seconds. The escapement within this tourbillon beats at a rate of two hertz, which allows a sensible rotational speed. Extremely rare, the requested precision of two microns proves to be difficult to achieve. However, the blu Tourbillon MT3 stepped up to the challenge.
Resting beneath the half-flying tourbillon is the one-hour tourbillon. Rotating the case once every 60 minutes, this tourbillon boasts a high-polished, domed minute hand, which is part of the wheel’s cock. Just like a conventional timepiece, the minute hand denotes time in the same classical way. At 90 degrees the time is 15-minutes past, 30-minutes past at 180 degrees and 45-minutes past at 270 degrees.
Completing the entire watch mechanism is the large 12-hour tourbillon, which rotates the case once every 12 hours. Nestled beneath the two aforementioned tourbillons, this wheel carries their way through the time. The intricate triple-synced movement requires the power of twin spring barrels, which hide beneath the base plate. Conventional watches use this space for the gear cascades, however the blu Tourbillon MT3 shuns the need for separate gears. The double barrel houses ensure the longer power reserve of 72 hours for the manual-winding timepiece.
Attached to the 12-hour tourbillon, a golden triangle pillar revolves the absentee dial to indicate the hour. The triangle pillar methodically moves its way around the golden bezel, which soars above 12 visible columns and showcases punched holes to signify hour markers. The transparent case bestows upon the wearer the ability to become a part of the movement. The considerably large balance wheel of the timepiece swings slower than most classical watch movements, lending the ultimate scenic pleasure. Viewing the progression from the top, bottom and sides of the case, the three-dimensional composition emanates the paramount precision of this haute horlogerie work of art.
Despite the elaborate processes that dwell within the case, the blu Majesty Tourbillon MT3 does not stop there. Composed of 18K white gold or platinum, the 43mm case is flanked by an antiallergenic, black alligator skin strap. The deployment buckle also brags an 18K white gold or platinum composition, ensuring class from end to end. Regardless of the blu Tourbillon MT3’s couture facade, practicality also plays a role in its design. The 26-jewel timepiece can withstand depths up to three atmospheres, or 30 meters, meaning that occasional splashes or brief immersion in water wouldn’t damage the Majesty.
Continuing the pursuit of excellency, each and every blu Majesty Tourbillon MT3 swanks a custom-made architecture and is limited to 50 individually numbered pieces. Finished by hand, each tourbillon possesses the craftsmanship of Lederer and his team. The watch will be presented at the 2008 BaselWorld show in Switzerland.
In the words of BLU, the Majesty Tourbillon MT3 is, in fact, the essence of their watch making. “Essence of the past, vision of the future.”
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