THE DECODER
...is the price of Kross Studio’s new Star Wars collector set, which includes this Death Star-inspired timepiece
Kross Studio’s Dh250,000 Star Wars Collector set features a limited-edition timepiece, as well as original props from the set of ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’
Kross Studio has joined forces with Lucasfilm to create a limited-edition Star Wars-inspired collector set, which includes a Death Star tourbillon watch and a kyber crystal from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
Each of the 10 collectible sets contains an official screen-used kyber crystal – the power source of the Death Star’s superlaser. This is the first time these props have been released to the public, offering a unique opportunity for fans to own a little piece of the Star Wars galaxy.
The watch itself is an ode to the design of the Death Star – a Moon-sized space station with the ability to destroy an entire planet. Enclosed in a 45 millimetre black diamond-like carbon-coated grade 5 titanium case, the tourbillon cage makes one revolution per minute. On its surface is a green superlaser cannon that makes reference to the space station’s kyber crystal-enabled power. Notable technical innovations include the house-developed manual-winding mechanical movement that delivers a five-day power reserve.
The hands have been affixed to a peripheral display that orbits 360 degrees around the tourbillon, while a traditional crown system has been replaced by an inset push-button system. Kross Studio developed a D-ring-shaped crown on the case back for winding the watch, which is stowed out of sight to help maintain the timepiece’s sleek, space-age styling. Meanwhile, quick-release buttons on the underside of the case allow for a quick change of the straps; in addition to a grey calfskin leather strap, the watch comes with two rubber variations, in red and black.
Star Wars iconography appears in the design in the form of a Galactic Empire emblem and the Aurebesh script on the push-button – a nod to one of the most widely used alphabets in the Star Wars galaxy. The hour hand takes the shape of an ImperialClass Star Destroyer, while the minute hand appears as a Super-Class Star Destroyer.
Star Wars fans will know that the powerful nature of kyber crystals mean they have to be stored in armoured crates for transport. Kross Studio has cra ed an authentic reproduction of these crates out of wood and aluminium, to house its collector set. Scaled to half the dimensions of the crates used in the films, which measure 1.2 metres in length, the replicas are hand-assembled and hand-painted, and are divided into nine storage units – one containing the Death Star Tourbillon watch; one for the timepiece’s three interchangeable straps; one for the kyber crystal prop; and a further six spaces that collectors can use to store all their other Star Wars paraphernalia.
Only 10 of these Death Star-inspired collector sets will be produced, but aficionados can expect more Star Wars-inspired products from Kross in the future. The design studio was launched in Switzerland last year, and is committed to creating innovative and exclusive art objects for collectors.