Text: Happy | Translation: dilettante | Photo: Kimio Ng
Trends are like ever restoring seasons. In fashion, ‘retro’ has been the theme of recent years. On top of the grand come back of vintage fashion, many new collections are based on historic aesthetic and brand new items are deliberately made to look worn.
In the watch industry, 1970 is the age of digital watches and the development made a drastic impact on the traditional Swiss factories. Fast forward thirty years to today, the increasing demand urges the watch industry to improve the design and craftsmanship of the product as well as developing new techniques. Seasons change and mechanical watches are making a come back to the top of the collector’s list.
As much as nostalgia is in favour, it is only when combined with the advance new technique that would make a true innovative invention.
With Swiss traditional technique, ‘MECCANICO dG’ by ‘de GRISOGONO’ materialises housing digital display in a mechanical watch. It is an innovation that breaks new ground in the watch territory.
THE GROUNDBREAKING CONCEPT
Watch designer and engineer seem to focus on one of two goals, either re-interpreting an existing item or creating a new one. Fawaz Gruosi, the founder and president of de GRISOGONO, is the latter. Licensed by de GRISOGONO, MECCANICO dG is the first ever watch to embody both analog and digital display showing time of two choices. It is one of the most delicate watches, with a mechanic setting and design that are significant innovation of its kind.
The inner structure of MECCANICO dG reminds one of the former models of contemporary computer, which is essentially a huge mechanical calculator. This is, in fact, the inspiration of Fawaz Gruosi.
The mechanics of MECCANICO dG is composed of as many as 651 delicate cams and gears. Traditional analogue mechanics placed on the upper part, its digital display showing a second time of choice in the bottom. The four digital numbers are powered by 23 horizontal and perpendicular mini cylinders, with 23 cams and a set of gears. Each cylinder is divided into four parts, the two facing parts in colour. Moving to the minutes and hours, it involves up to twelve cylinders spinning in high speed in 90 degrees to enable the coloured parts displaying the current time. Such complicated mechanic structure housed in a tiny watch case is a demonstration of the finest craftsmanship.
PERFECTLY CRAFTED ARTPIECE
Apart from worldwide licensed technique, the exterior of MECCANICO dG is equally vital in it being such an outstanding item. The transparent case demonstrates the delicate inner mechanics in jet black. The colour of the time display, as well as the de GRISOGONO logo and ‘Swiss Made’ words, as if suspending in the air. The logo and ‘Swiss Made’ words are also embossed at the back. Although obviously two displays would
require more power, but the battery of MECCANICO dG can still sustain for 35 hours. The battery level is shown at the back of the transparent watch case.
The finest craftsmanship is the signature of de GRISOGONO, futuristic and stream-lined MECCANICO dG case is 30 meter water-resistant, with a choice of titanium, titanium with red gold, titanium with rubber or titanium with platinum. The dials are covered by a rubber cab, for the two time displays. Also embossed with de GRISOGONO, the rubber band is paired with an elegant buckle, making the watch versatile with different looks.
Even priced at a warping HKD2,800,000, MECCANICO dG was a hit at the BASELWORLD among the buyers, proving its genuine attraction. The production of MECCANICO dG is limited to 177 pieces only. A revolution and elite item of its kind, it is made for the similar minds.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Reference: DG 042
Caliber: Exclusive to de GRISOGONO
Movement Thickness: 11.45 mm
Movement Dimensions: Rectangular 38.10 × 34.70 mm
Number of Components: 651 for the Movement, 70 for the case
Jewelling: 77 (Movement & Display)
Frequency: 28,800 v.p.h. (4 Hz)
Power Reserve: About 35 Hours
Indications: Hours, Minutes & Second Timezone
Case: Titanium; 5N Red Gold; Titanium & Gold; Titanium & Platinum, Titanium & Rubber
Water Resistance: 30 Meters (~100 Feet) = 30 ATM
Hands: ‘Dauphine’ style in 18K Red Gold
Strap: Black Natural Rubber
Clasp: Double Deployment Construction in Titanium & 5N Red Gold
