Breva Genève is now very well known for creating timepieces that include some sort of mechanical function that revolves around the earth's elements. While their first watch included an actual mechanical barometer with a weather forecasting station on the wrist, their second timepiece included a mechanical altimeter. This time, Breva Genève presents a watch that includes an anemometer that pops up right on top of the watch dial. Named the Génie 03 Speedmeter —Speedometer as it is also referred to on their website—, this new mechanical timepiece is far from conventional, but not necessarily the most functional or even applicable to every day life events. While prior to the appearance of this timepiece, watches could only calculate speed by using a tachymetric scale, Breva Gèneve tries to make a statement with a timepiece that claims to provide an accurate speed reading in what they refer to as 'real-time'. Now, not sure how real time works when driving or flying in an enclosed vehicle or when the measurement is influenced by wind speed around you but we'll talk about that as we continue with our hands-on review.
The new Breva Genève Génie 03 Speedmeter is fitted with a patented 'instant speed' mechanism —in reality an anemometer with Robinson cups— with a proprietary extrusion mechanism that creates a unique look on the timepiece when popped up.
By pushing the crown located at 2 o'clock, the Robinson cups anemometer pops up to to indicate the speed of wind while it stands 6mm high on top of a small titanium base next to the sapphire crystal of the watch. Now, the speed of wind can be measured, however, not necessarily the speed at which someone is traveling as the reading will be influenced by the actual speed of winds within the area that one is traveling.
For example, if one is standing still on Michigan Avenue in Chicago —'The Windy City'— while operating the watch, the watch will provide a reading based on the speed of winds surrounding the timepiece when the anemometer is up, however, that is not a speed indicator as you are standing still and not moving.
Now, let's pretend you are running on Lake Michigan's lakefront at a speed of 10 km/h and you activate the speed measuring device, well, we are completely sure that the reading will indicate something very different to your actual speed, specially on a windy day. Therefore, this measuring device is a wonderful complication that looks great —and is an absolute conversation piece—, nevertheless, in reality it is a completely useless device from a speedometer standpoint —contrary to what the brand claims. Now, from an engineering and horological standpoint, the design and execution of this watch is really amazing and we praise our friends at Breva Genève for that.
Right next to where the anemometer is located and underneath the sapphire crystal, the hours, minutes and seconds are provided in the usual Breva Genève form with a smoked sapphire crystal sub-dial with Arabic numerals at 12 and 6. The time is set and the watch can be wound with the crown located at 4 o'clock.
Fitted with a titanium G5 case measuring 44.7 mm in diameter and 17.5 mm in thickness —including the protruding area of where the anemometer is located—, the new Breva Genève Génie 03 Speedmeter wears true to its size. The watch is fitted with a very malleable black rubber strap with titanium pin buckle.
The new Breva Genève Génie 03 Speedmeter is fitted with a display case back with anti-reflective coating on both sides that allows for full view of the beautifully decorated automatic calibre BRE03.001 composed of 230 components, 42 jewels and fitted with a micro-rotor. The movement provides a power reserve of 60 hours when fully wound. The perimeter of the case back includes an engraved conversion scale between miles and kilometers.
On the wrist, the watch is definitely impressive looking but fitted with a device that is useless from a speed calculating standpoint. If you live in 'the Windy City' and want to stay aware of the winds blowing around you, this is a timepiece that would definitely be fun to own.
Sticker Price CHF48,000. For more info on Breva Genève click here.
