Christophe Claret is pleased to present X-TREM-1 Chocolate, featuring a red gold and grade 5 titanium case treated with chocolate-color PVD, plus an alligator-skin strap of the same brown hue. This timepiece is as visually striking as it is technically innovative. Christophe Claret has always focused on developing original timepieces incorporating the latest technological innovations. The brand is known for pushing the boundaries of mechanical watchmaking and straying away from the beaten horological path. First presented in 2012, X-TREM-1 is a testament to this endeavor and represents a totally new way of telling the time.

X-TREM-1 displays hour and minutes by means of two tiny hollowed steel spheres isolated within sapphire tubes on both sides of the caseband. The whole mechanism is revolutionary: the two spheres —which appear to be floating in their respective tubes and weighing 0.10 grams each— are controlled by magnetic fields generated by two magnets moved by ultra-thin surgical silk thread. Thanks to the magnetic fields generated by the magnets, the spheres have no mechanical connection to the movement and float inside the tubes, as if by magic. The numbers next to the tubes are filled with superluminova to ease time reading under low light or dark conditions.

Crucially, the magnetic fields are precision-focused so that they have no effect whatsoever on the movement —apart from the task assigned to them, which is to display time in an incredibly original way. X-TREM-1 Chocolate is equipped with a flying tourbillon which is inclined at 30° and mounted on a convex titanium mainplate while supported by a double ceramic bearing, with cone-shaped pinion transmission. The flying tourbillon rotates a full turn every 60 seconds.

The new Christophe Claret X-TREM-1 Chocolate just like its three other counterparts —ref. MTR.FLY11.050-058 Polished white gold/anthracite PVD, ref. MTR.FLY11.040-048 Polished rose gold/anthracite PVD and ref. MTR.FLY11.030-038 Platinum/beadblasted blackened PVD-coated grade 5 titaniu— this watch is only available in a limited edition of eight pieces.

The X-TREM-1 is powered by the Christophe Claret manual winding calibre FLY11 composed of 419 parts, 64 jewels, dual barrels —one for the movement gear train and the other for the time indicators— and a flying tourbillon. When fully wound, this calibre provides a power reserve of 50 hours while beating at a frequency of 21,600 vph. Additionally, the open barrel acts as movement state-of-wind indicator that when the movement is fully wound the spring is centered in the barrel. Winding and time setting functions are performed via the two lift-out rotating bows on the case back.

This exceptional timepiece fitted with mystery hours and minutes displayed on each side of the case is fitted with a matching brown hand-sewn alligator leather strap with orange contrast stitching. The strap is secured to the case with an innovative two-screw fastening system that facilitates strap change and avoids damaging the case. The strap is equipped with a titanium folding clasp with red gold buckle.

Sticker Price $308,000 USD. For more info on Christophe Claret click here.