Right on time for Baselworld 2017 and to mark its tenth anniversary, MCT Manufacture Contemporaine du Temps presents the new Dōdekal One D110, the first mechanical watch featuring an innovative digital hours display in the center of the dial. With its name taken from the Greek 'Dodeka' meaning twelve, the new MCT Dodekal One D110 takes its inspiration from the digital electronic watches from the seventies. Driven by a new in-house manufacture movement, calibre D1, the new Dōdekal One features one of the most unique and intriguing digital time displays for a mechanical watch. The engineers of MCT Watches have used a complex set of cams and carriages to display the hours in the forms of segments at the center of the dial placing this new timepiece in a whole new dimension. This hands-on review was prepared with the prototype of this new watch so some changes and upgrades will be present in the actual watch for sale.

The Dial

Featuring a central digital indication of the hour and minutes marked by a central hand with red tip, the mechanism behind the central digital display of the hours is not only intriguing but captivating at the same time. With a bright red minute track against a matte black dial background, the time indication on the new MCT Dodekal One D110 transports the wearer back to the glorious 70s when the Pulsar or the Bulova Driver with red digital electronic display was the thing.

As time passes and a new hour needs to be displayed, the digital indication of the hours will change with a slow transition of red segments underneath the openings at the center of the dial in about 2.5 seconds. This intriguing transition offers and original and almost magical sight as the next hour is shown at the center of the dial all done mechanically.

The Movement

Powered by a brand new calibre fully developed, manufactured and assembled in-house at MCT's workshops in Neuchâtel, this automatic movement calibre D1 is equipped with 62 jewels and with a gold micro-rotor to provide a power reserve of 50 hours when fully wound while beating at a frequency of 18,000 vph. As expected from an independent brand like this one making no more than 100 pieces a year, the movement is exquisitely finished and fully visible via the display case back.

The Case & Strap

The new MCT Dōdekal One D110 features a new elegant cushion-shaped case in 5N titanium measuring 43 mm x 43 mm. Distinguished by finely crafted lugs that are shaped like twisted leaves, the watch is available in either titanium —like the one we are reviewing here— or Black PVD Titanium with 5N rose gold case band. Secured by a black alligator strap with the usual MCT deployant buckle, this new watch is simply gorgeous and extremely eye-catching.

On the Wrist & Pricing

On the wrist, the new Dōdekal One D110 wears true to its size and with very impressive wrist presence. With this new timepiece celebrating 10 years of innovation and huge success, MCT Watches is continuing its approach of constantly reinventing the display of time and once again proves that there are no limits to performance and mechanical creativity in the field of watchmaking. The Dodekal One D110 is available in titanium or black DLC titanium with 5N pink gold and issued in a 25-piece limited edition for each version.

Sticker Price CHF55,000 Swiss Francs —approximately $54,000 USD— for titanium and CHF61,000 —approximately $60,000 USD— for black DLC titanium with pink gold. For more info on MCT Manufacture Contemporaine du Temps click here.