LAURENT FERRIER X URWERK

This project, combining haute horlogerie, fashion, and cutting-edge technology, was made possible through a collaboration with the Karmaloog brand. Christened the Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Croco High Jewellery, it is set with 380 baguette diamonds, cut and arranged to look like scales. They cover the case, the dial and the clasp, in a layout of size and shape carefully designed to recreate the pattern of crocodile skin. The dial alone is set with 102 baguette diamonds (totalling 4.3 carats). There is an aperture at 6 o'clock opening onto the crowning glory of the calibre HUB6016 movement, a stunning tourbillon. The movement is housed in a case measuring 45mm in diameter, which is set with 234 baguette diamonds (totalling 7.6 carats), the clasp on the crocodile strap is also set with 44 baguette diamonds (totalling 1.6 carats). Self-winding, the timepiece boasts a power reserve of 115 hours. On November 11th 2017 the auctioneer's hammer at Christie's, Geneva, sealed the fate of the Arpal 1 watch at the Only Watch 2017 charity auction. The results of almost a year of teamwork were thus dispersed and the profits allocated to research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a degenerative disease. The story however has an epilogue, Laurent Ferrier and Urwerk have developed and signed four watches, poles apart from Arpal 1 in colours and finishes that will also be sold for the benefit of medical research. The four watches will be made in titanium cases and feature Urwerk's trademark wandering hours indication. The 12 hours, in groups of three at the end of four rotating arms, pass in turn along a scale of 60 minutes, giving both an analogue and a digital reading of the time. The clean lines of the case are taken from the streamlined bodies of Laurent Ferrier's favourite cars. These watches won't have a name however, because they do not constitute a new collection, they merely represent the lap of honour of an outstanding team. All purchase offers should be sent by email to laurentferrier@ urwerk.com.