Feature: These watches look even better worn back-to-front
The movements in these watches look so good that it’s almost a crime not to wear them back-to-front. Of course, you wouldn’t be able to tell the time. But you would get to marvel at the miniature galaxy of components that have been engraved and polished to perfection.
Breguet Tourbillon 5377PT/12/9WU
Breguet is a watchmaker renowned for its impressive craftmanship and this Tourbillon model is no exception. Powering this piece is the extra-thin 3mm calibre 581DR and it’s as stunning as it is functional. Featuring 16 lines, 42 jewels, a tourbillon in a titanium cage and an engraved swirl-pattern, this is superb watch with a movement to match.
Chopard L.U.C
Powered by the impressive Calibre 96, this limited-edition Chopard L.U.C boasts one stunning movement, featuring a 22k yellow-gold micro-rotor engraved with ‘L.U.C’, polished screws, countersinks and bevels and striped bridges—all of which is done by hand, of course. One thing’s for sure, the Calibre 96 isn’t just a movement, it’s a masterpiece.
Vacheron Constantin Harmony
This stunning piece from the Harmony collection celebrates Vacheron Constantin’s 260th anniversary—and what a way to mark the occasion. The remarkable Caliber 2460DT features 233 hand-finished parts, with the special 260th anniversary rose-gold “fleurisanne engraved” rotor being a real highlight. This is a wonderful watch from one of the most prestigious watchmakers out there.
A.Lange and Sohne Lange 31
This celebrated model, the Lange 31, is the world’s first mechanical wristwatch with a whopping power reserve of 31 days. This model features a kidney-bean-shaped sapphire crystal on the caseback, revealing the innerworkings of this extraordinary piece, including a host of colourful blue screws and rubies and gold-engraved lettering.
Nomos Lambda
The flip-side of this manual-wind Nomos looks like a crazy join-the-dots puzzle thanks to its constellation of blued screws and jewels. The three-quarter plate features Glashütte sunburst ribbing, with the cutaway fourth-quarter revealing an intricately engraved balance cock - a hallmark of Nomos’ neighbour, A.Lange & Sohne?and the balance wheel itself.
IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Top Gun Lake Tahoe
IWC’s Caliber 82650, a self-winding perpetual calendar with moon phase, is found not only in this Big Pilot’s watch but also in its dressier Portuguese collection. While decoration such as perlage and côte de Geneve striping is expected these days, we love the skeletonised rotor inset with a gold medallion bearing the motto “Probus scafusia” - or “Good craftsmanship”.
Ming 19.02 Worldtimer
Malaysian microbrand Ming should be commended for making some of the most distinctive watches right now. Peek through the exhibition caseback of a Ming and you’ll find movements with skeletonized bridges, matte-blasted rose gold coating, and a micro-rotor made of sintered tungsten. Who cares if they don’t make their own movements when they look this good.
Bremont DH-88
Bremont isn’t the first watch brand to incorporate a propeller shape into a movement and it certainly won’t be the last. But this one uses wood from the undercarriage of a de Havilland DH-88 Comet, the aircraft that performed a record-breaking England-to-Australia flight in 1934 - hence the number featured on the eye-catching red rotor.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin 1288430
This super-slim dress watch from Jaeger-LeCoultre is the epitome of good taste, and while the champagne-coloured dial features a subtle sunburst effect, the reverse is equally classy. Here you’ll find a skeletonised 22k rose-gold rotor incorporating the “JL” logo, alongside perlage and cotes de Geneve engraving. A cluster of blued-steel screws adds to the air of superior quality.
Omega Speedmaster Dark Side Of The Moon
Admittedly, this piece doesn’t flaunt the most breathtaking of movements but it’s not every day you get to see the innerworkings of an Omega Speedmaster. Sneak a peek at the Omega calibre 9300 and experience its subtle Geneva waves in a Rhodium-plated finish which perfectly complements the monochrome look of this high-tech ceramic watch.
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