Romain Gauthier is one of the bright new(ish) Independent watchmakers who have emerged in the last decade or so. His watches have an interesting insight, as Romain’s own background does not stem from traditional watchmaking, but from one as a master precision machinist. This novelty is an extension to the Insight Micr0-Rotor line, and is specifically intended for the lady collector. Two editions are presented, both with mother of pearl dial albeit one black Tahitian MOP and the other Australian white MOP. Both editions are in 18k pink gold.
“Increasingly, female collectors are looking to own truly exceptional mechanical timepieces,” says Gauthier. “While aesthetics still play a role, these women want the real deal in terms of innovative mechanisms and fine hand-finishing. Insight Micro-Rotor Lady offers this combination of style and substance.”
Romain Gauthier
So for this 2018 SIHH, Romain Gauthier offers the brand’s first ladies’ timepiece: an extension to the existing Insight Micro-Rotor collection, with two editions, both in 18k pink gold, and Mother of pearl dials.
The new Insight Micro-Rotor Lady the same case as regular Insight Micro-Rotor, 39.5mm diameter and 12.9mm at the highest point. The main difference is the subdials for the hour/minute and seconds and the cover of the mainplate are in mother of pearl instead of the enamel used in the regular editions. In the two novelties, first with a Tahitian black mother-of-pearl dial and the second with an Australian extra white mother-of-pearl dial. In each case, the hour-minute subdial and small seconds are crafted from the same piece of mother of pearl (0.3mm thin), while the mainplate cover is cut from another piece of the same type of mother of pearl (0.6mm thin), creating a dynamic contrast of textures.
Both types of mother of pearl originate from their natural habitat in the South Seas and are ecologically sourced. Each mother-of-pearl dial and mainplate cover is different, and each arrangement of the diamonds decorating the micro-rotor is different, meaning no two Insight Micro-Rotor Lady timepieces are the same.
The extra white Australian MOP creates a different aura than the black Tahitian MOP, making essentially what seems like two watches.
The movement remains the same, immaculately designed and finished in-house movement with the special touch of adorning the rotor, which is visible from the dial side, with 45 brilliant, round VVS to VS diamonds in a snow setting totalling 0.1 carat.
From the case back, the usual Gauthier signatures of immaculate finishing and beautifully designed and executed wheels are visible. Traditional haute horlogerie finissage is evident: hand-made and hand-polished bevels, snailing, straight-graining, circular-graining and hand-frosting as well as hand-made and hand-polished jewel countersinks.
The case back carries a wide sapphire glass display crystal showing the beautiful Insight movement, finished in 5N red gold.
Price is 83,000 Swiss francs, excluding taxes.
Romain Gauthier Insight Micro-rotor Lady Technical Specifications
Editions
18k red gold featuring Tahitian black mother-of-pearl dial – 10-piece limited edition
18k red gold featuring Australian extra white mother-of-pearl dial – 10-piece limited edition
Features and indications
Off-centre hours and minutes, central small seconds
Mother-of-pearl dial and mainplate cover
18k red gold hands
In-house, bidirectional, automatic movement featuring 22k gold micro rotor
Micro-Rotor snow set with approx. 45 brilliant, round VVS to VS diamonds of varying sizes (0.1 carat)
Double mainspring barrel in series for generous 80-hour power reserve
Movement and finishing
Dimensions: 32.1mm x 6.8mm
Power reserve: 80 hours
Number of jewels: 33
Number of components: 206
Balance frequency: 28,800 vph / 4Hz
Components in: 22k gold micro rotor, steel, stainless steel, beryllium copper, brass and German silver
Finishing: Highest-level haute horlogerie hand-finishing
Treatment: 5N red-gold treated bridges
Case
Dimensions: 39.5mm x 12.9mm at highest point
Water resistance: 50m/5atm/170ft
Sapphire crystal with interior anti-reflection coating, front and display back
Crown for winding and time-setting at 2 o’clock
Strap and buckle
For black mother-of-pearl limited edition: Anthracite strap in natural rubber or satin with red gold pin buckle
For white mother-of-pearl limited edition: White strap in natural rubber or satin with red gold pin buckle
