A world premiere by Label Noir is the new Rolex Daytona Tourbillon inspired by the mythical Daytona Paul Newman. Produced on special order for a customer who wishes to remain anonymous, this unique piece will be delivered after four exhibitions in Geneva, Paris, St-Tropez and Monaco. Before being released to its owner, this very first Rolex Daytona Tourbillon fully customized by Label Noir is in the safe custody of watchmaker Emmanuel Curti, a member of the venerable Société Suisse de Chronométrie —SSC— and CEO of Label Noir.
It is difficult to measure the level of madness that sometimes prevails in the world of watch collectors. The most affected, satiated to possess all forms of rarities or treasures among the most in demand, venture into the limitless path of personalization. They would even be ready to require the modification of the legendary Rolex calibre 4130.
Created from a discontinued Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116520, Label Noir has agreed to
offer this special customer the fulfillment of its wish, respecting the fundamentals of watchmaking and in the context of uncompromising ethics by adding a tourbillon at 6 o’clock to the 4130 caliber of his very own Rolex Daytona. Soaking the piece in an aesthetic bath that gives it a visual coziness with the most mythical of timepieces, the famous Paul Newman stainless steel watch that remains as the most expensive wristwatch ever sold to date.After a successful transplantation of the regulating organs, the seconds counter positioned at 6 o'clock has been eliminated to make room for a superb tourbillon whose frame uses the letters LN for Label Noir.
It is worth noting that this complication, whose cage does a full rotation every minute, also epitomizes the indication of the seconds in the form of a hynotic kinetic ballet. Label Noir's fingers respectfully and humbly lean towards the heart of a legendary timepiece. The tourbillon, had already been added to a Rolex Milgauss back in September 2018, upon request of a Qatari customer. This was the very first Rolex Tourbillon in history customized by Label Noir.
Doing everything possible to ensure that as many components as possible of the original Rolex calibre are kept, this is the challenge that Label Noir has risen to. The calibre 4130 was completely dismantled and 61 components that had become useless were removed, especially those related to the small seconds indicated at 6 o’clock. Only the base plate that still holds the original Rolex engravings has been modified. Then, 93 components related to the tourbillon and its cage were added. Increasing the force of the barrel spring since it must now be able to move a Tourbillon, affected the watch’s oscillations from 4 Hz —28,800 vph— to 3 Hz —21,600 vph. The successful operation created real connection challenges. Micromechanical surgery coupled with a mastery of finishes since it will have been necessary, in order to preserve the box and its original waterproofness, to raise the glass, to manufacture a larger joint. The original base dial in brass has been sprayed matt in a vintage way.
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