The workshop of MCT —Manufacture Contemporaine du Temps— is located in the heart of the Swiss watchmaking region of Lake Neuchâtel. Each watch is made by hand and a single watchmaker follows its assembly from the beginning to the end to ensure the ultimate quality and traceability. The Sequential One is product of a collaboration between designer Eric Giroud and concept engineer Jean-Francois Mojon. This fascinating timepiece is very unique because of its monumental hour numerals, ingenious for its in-house movement and pioneering for its mechanism of sequential display. This manufacture lead by François Candolfi is living example of the level of innovation and the creative spirit of independent watchmaking companies. In order to ease the review of this timepiece, let's start with a video produced by MCT that clearly explains the complexity of this mesmerizing timepiece.
Now that is very clear how the Sequential One works, let's go into our in-depth review of this timepiece. The Sequential One S100 ref. SQ45 S100 WG 01 is fitted with a massive square cushion shaped case in white gold that measures 45mm wide, 45mm long and 15.5mm in thickness. The Sequential One S110 ref. SQ45 S110 TI 01 comes with the exact same dimensions but in titanium and with a dial configuration that is somewhat more industrial and rugged looking.
The dial on the MCT Sequential One is just a work of art featuring a sapphire crystal rotating/jumping disc with retrograde minutes at the center and four modules placed on each side of the case to display the hours. Each module is composed of 5 triangular prisms that flip every hour —just like the train schedule boards in European train stations— and each of them displays three different hours.
On the S100, the dial is accentuated by a perfectly contrasting burnt red hand, while on the S110 the dial maintains a more monochromatic look that is also unparalleled. In order to offer perfect legibility, both watches are fitted with sapphire crystals with anti-reflective treatment on both sides. Every single detail on the dial and on its skeletonized movement is a real treat to the eyes.
The case composed of 43 parts on both watches is beautifully finished with alternating polished and satin brushed surfaces to create the perfect balance. The satin brushed work on this timepiece is as perfect as it gets and the detail around the lugs is just immaculate. The nicely engraved crown has the perfect size and it is very easy to operate.
The Sequential One is fitted with a handmade double-stitched alligator leather strap that is very supple and comfortable. Additionally, the strap is lined with an anti-allergenic material and is fitted with a double deployant clasp that is easy to use and very nicely finished with MCT's logo.
This time, we have left the best for the last part of our review. The beating heart inside the complex MCT Sequential One is the manual-wound in-house calibre MCT-S1 composed of 471 parts, 81 jewels, striped finish on bridges, traditional Breguet terminal curve, patented system for rotation of the minute disc and for accumulation of energy and running seconds indicator on one of the bridges. The calibre is fully visible via the display case back and when fully wound it provides a power reserve of 40 hours beating at a frequency of 18,000 vph.
This watch wears very comfortably but slightly large on a 7-7.25" wrist. The Sequential One is also available in rose gold and in carbon black DLC treated gold that is now sold out. Each model is available in a limited number of 99 pieces.
Sticker Price $118,000 USD for white gold and $94,500 USD for titanium. For more info on Manufacture Contemporaine du Temps click here.
