The Lavish Attic x Atelier de Chronométrie Limited Edition of 8 pieces AdC33
The Challenges Begin
While The Lavish Attic focuses on independents, Atelier de Chronométrie is committed to handcrafting one-of-a-kind high-end timepieces with an annual production of 7–10 pieces. When the opportunity arises, both parties should embrace traditional and artisanal craftsmanship, respect cultural variances, and consider the potential of watchmaking. The project presents a challenge as the greatest level of Grand Feu enamel dial is applied and a new in-house calibre M284 is modified.
"As it occurs, our customer is the one who initiates the collaboration. With this initiative, we get to know this talented and passionate team. Together, we develop creative ideas while drawing inspiration from enduring historical legacies and reinterpreting Chinese aesthetics. There are no physical continents that can contain the elegance.
It is an honour for us to receive the support of Santiago Martínez and Montse Gimeno, the core players behind Atelier de Chronométrie. The team's enthusiasm and dedication are palpable. We witness as their first in-house movement, the Calibre M284, is created, demonstrating a technological advance and the pursuit of high-end watchmaking. Details are never left out of our discussions. The wooden watch boxes are made by a Spanish artisan in Madrid. The name of Atelier de Chronométrie and also the name of the customer will be engraved on two brass plates, which are gold plated. We want to provide our customers a journey with a truly holistic tour further expanding their understandings and cultural knowledge in the fine timepieces.”
- Piano Chow, Founder of The Lavish Attic
“Hong Kong has a very special meaning for us because one of our first orders was made there by a customer who trusted in us to make a very personal project; a timepiece that was a present for his eldest brother. That project have been in our memories forever and Hong Kong is an important part of that memory.
Culture, people, food, and of course, a sensibility for the independent timepieces between collectors are the reasons why we have created such a special connection with Hong Kong since then. We always have felt welcomed by the collector’s community and we have good friends there.
So, when Piano Chow from The Lavish Attic contacted us to create a unique project in Hong Kong, it meant a lot for us. This is an important milestone in our history and we know that this is just the beginning of a very nice collaboration.
The AdC33 timepiece is going to be a very special one-off project created only for The Lavish Attic and for the very first time in Hong Kong. The design has been inspired in the Chinese traditional culture, where the porcelain and the blue color have an important sense as well as the ancient Chinese numerals used in a long past.”
- Santiago Martínez, Founder of Atelier de Chronométrie
The atmospheres of Barcelona and Hong Kong are interconnected. We are thrilled to introduce the AdC33, a limited edition of 8 pieces to everyone across the world after two years of planning. More than just acquiring a watch, it offers collectors a unique and fascinating adventure.
The Serenity of the Time
The watch presents here and now is so different from the first idea. Day one the dial was the dominate blue mixing gold, adorned with classic bold font, the strong visual invited collectors to imagine the living of royal monarchy. After discussion there was a radical twist to the design, which was a monochrome dial and left only the ancient Oracle bone script of 3, 9, 12 characters. The ancient Chinese numbers system of the Late Shang dynasty from the 14th century BC were discovered inscribed on thousands of bones and tortoise shells.
Based on the second design, both the teams go further the researches and testing, try to be aggressive to present the essences and aesthetics of the two rich cultures. The combination of blue and white on ceramics could be traced back to 14 century Chinese pottery and a high demand was created among the countries. It played an important role in the international trade. The limited edition takes inspiration from the refined delicacy of the blue and white artworks and inherits the tranquility and elegance from the history. Finally the stamped lines will be made with fired enamel. We found a blue color that matches perfectly with the blue of the Chinese porcelain and also has more quality than the stamped typography.
The Unique Shine of Grey Gold
The limited edition allows collectors to choose case material from typical stainless steel, 18K rose gold, 18K yellow gold and the rare 18K grey gold. Grey gold is a high palladium alloy; the colour is more greyish than the name suggests but less white than platinum. It is a very special colour and doesn't need to be rhodised. The watchmaker takes extra care to handle palladium. The challenging production process explains the higher cost as compared to white gold. For its quality and purity, we are proud to recommend grey gold to collectors.
The hands material is fixed according to the case material. For the 18k grey gold hands are blued steel, the hands of the 18k yellow gold case will be minute and hours in 18k yellow gold and the seconds in blued steel. For the case in 18k rose gold, minute and hours hands in 18k rose gold and blued steel for the seconds.
From left to right: rendering of Grey gold, Rose gold and Yellow gold
The First in-house Calibre M284
Since 2014, Atelier de Chronométrie has always had in mind the possibility of creating its own calibre. Throughout all these years we have created amazing projects and unique timepieces with unique stories behind them and we are very happy with the achieved result. At the same time, we also knew that, at some point, the creation of timepieces with movements, using existing calibres as a base, will restrict our creativity. This fact has strengthened our determination in the last few years to make a step forward and to create a personal movement totally aligned with our DNA. The result is the new calibre M284.
For the development of this new calibre our team has relied on the help of our friend Luca So-prana who has a wide experience as a constructor and with whom we shared the same vision of watchmaking. We thought that, to achieve such a project, his advice would be the best. The re-sult is a dream come true for us, the M284. A calibre with a timeless design that evokes the past with an architecture inspired by the calibres of the 40’s from the last century, such as the old Genève Observatoire Chronomèters, where challenges, skills and passion were essentials parts in watchmaking.
The finishing and anglage is of the highest level that one could find in a handmade watch. Countersinks are made by hand. All the screws and wheels are beveled. The engravings are exquisitely presented by the most important hand engraver in Switzerland. The perlage, the black polish of steel, the satin finish, not to mention the pinions, unmistakably prove the high craftsmanship standard of the Spanish brand. The base profiles are diamond turning. The Côtes de Genève are made with a manual machine all the way like the old watches. Invisible parts are highly decorated, leaving no single flaw on the movement.
Watch Specifications
The Lavish Attic x Atelier de Chronométrie Limited Edition of 8 pieces AdC33
Case
- Design: stepped lugs.
- Material: stainless steel or in 18k gold (grey, rose or yellow).
- Size: 37mm without the crown.
Dial
- Material and design: white “Grand Feu” enamel dial with blued steel applied Chinese antique indexes.
- Hands: leaf design, blued steel.
- Colour combination: inspired in the Chinese pottery, combining blue colour with the white “grand feu” enamel dial.
Movement
- Manual winding calibre M284.
- Power reserve 38 hours.
- 18.000 b.h.p.
- Bridges made of Arcap, rhodium plated; 18k rose gold-plated wheels; 19 jewels.
- Swan neck regulator.
- Finishes: côtes de Genève, anglage, perlage, polished countersinks, straight graining, étirage des flancs, black polish and beveled screws.
- Hand-engraving on the bridges with signature and serial number.
The Lavish Attic x Atelier de Chronométrie Limited Edition of 8 pieces AdC33 will be delivered in 2024.