1.30.2010

Christophe Claret Dual Tow Watch In Black & White


The master watch maker's brand Christophe Claret's first watch the Dual Tow, now will come in a tuxedo style black and white version. Already the watch is bought via a handy customization tool where the buyer opts for a wide range of options including colors and materials. This new combination of colors also represents titanium as a material for the complex watch case. While titanium has been available for the Dual Tow from the beginning, I personally saw and enjoyed the watch in its gold form.

Christophe Claret's workshop has special machines no where else available. The watch case is made up of about 67 parts and is cut using their 17 axis cutting machine. The precision of a machine getting closer to the dexterity of human hands. Though no hands could be trusted to make such parts given the need for water resistance. While I haven't seen titanium out of Claret's shop, I imagine his technique will render it beautiful as a case material.

There is one major concern about the watch that Christophe Claret is addressing - the reliability of the rubber belts used to tell the time. It is true that rubber degrades over time with bending. As such, it is reasonable to infer that the belts of the Dual Tow watch would wear out over a short period of time. Christophe Claret has thus engaged in a series of tests to prove that the belts are hardy. Apparently they stress tested the belts to simulate over 60 years of usage and the belts survived nicely apparently. The full results of the testing haven't been announced yet. Price for the limited edition watch varies, but is roughly in the $400,000 - $500,000 range if my memory serves correct. Configure one here?

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