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Registered: November 2003
BASEL – Franc Vila Tourbillon Planetaire Skeleton SuperLigero Concept
Thu, 14 February 2008 09:33
Ultra-limited Edition of 8 Pieces
Franc Vila will unveil at Baselworld 2008 its FVa Nº 6 Tourbillon Planétaire Skeleton SuperLigero Concept, whose movement has been built for the first time ever in an Aluminium-Lithium based alloy christened ''lightnium''.
This new material is an extremely low density metal, formerly reserved for state of the art aeronautical engineering. It's main characteristics are lightness combined with high tensile strength, allowing for structural weight reduction and an increase in elastic modulus.
Designed to be shock and stress resistant, FVa Nº 6 Tourbillon Planétaire Skeleton SuperLigero Concept is the result not only of an intense quest for aesthetics, but also of technical prowess. The creation of a movement with these characteristics in a material with these properties has led FRANC VILA to seek inspiration in disciplines not traditionally related to High-End Watchmaking. The structural design of the mechanism has its roots in modern architecture. By using an extremely low density material and reducing the movement to its minimum expression, it is made into a skeleton. All the while, maximum stability of the system is ensured by allowing the movement to be rigid enough to stand up to the stresses of the gear train, barrel and tourbillon thereby ensuring perfect performance. The lightness of this new material means that the movement is less affected by inertial forces. This advantage, combined with its strong architectural design, make this tourbillon the strongest and sportiest skeleton watch in it's category.
In the words of Franc Vila, "most skeleton watches are highly traditional machines, featuring ornate engraving and classical motifs in the style of Rococo Art. They don't take care of the architecture of the movement. I wanted to create a contemporary skeleton tourbillon which evokes the senses with clear influences of contemporary art, design and modern architecture".
Technically, the movement has 5 days of reserve power. It's regulatory organ is a flying tourbillon which is equipped with the "Inertial Moment Control". This control constantly and precisely regulates the tourbillon. A differential system of planetary gears allows a fast planetary winding function effectively reducing by two-thirds the number of turns needed to wind the watch.
Specifications:
Case: Black DieHard Extreme Steel, DieHard Extreme Steel, red gold, white gold, Titanium & Gold or Titanium & DieHard Extreme Steel or Black DieHard Extreme Steel. Special “Esprit Unique” shape with elliptic and circular bezel. Crystal and caseback both in sapphire with double sided anti-glare treatment. Water resistant 100 meters.
Movement: FV Nº 6 calibre. 33 rubies. Flying tourbillon with inertial moment control mechanism and wheel differential system. Mechanism manufactured in the brand’s characteristic “Esprit Unique” shape, hand-made and hand-decorated.
Functions: Hours, minutes and power reserve indication.
Dial: Transparent saphire dial with hours and minutes indications. Power reserve indication at 9.
- Jorge Merino