When Romain launched the first edition of C by Romain Gauthier in 2021, it was clearly stated that this new calibre would lead the brand to new horizons. One year later, a new door has been opened with the arrival of the brand's first metal bracelet for the brand. The desire of modernity, comfort and ergonomic already initiated during the conception of the first edition, reinforced the development of this integral timepiece on a titanium bracelet that is light, resistant, modern and sophisticated.
Aesthetically, it was important to Romain that the strap and the watch become one. In Romain Gauthier’s words: "The bracelet is the case, and the case is the bracelet". The total weight of the C by Romain Gauthier Titanium Edition is only 85 grams and that includes the watch and the bracelet.
Romain Gauthier's first metal bracelet is made entirely of natural Grade 5 titanium, in addition to being light, it is also very thin thanks to the folding clasp integrated into the bracelet. Each link is composed of hand-polished and satin-finished surfaces that play with the light and reflect the technical nature of the bracelet and the piece in general. The bracelet itself is integrated into the 41 mm titanium case by slightly curved lugs following the natural shape of the wrist. The finishing on the case facets is repeated on each of the bracelet links, a play of light accentuated by satin-finished surfaces and contrasted by hand-polished ones.
C by Romain Gauthier is all about modernity and continuity, both in terms of its movement architecture and dial design. If the observer looks closely, he will see that the hour-minute hands are off-centered on the horizontal axis and the hour indices taper ever so slightly and are of varying lengths, while the 5-second intervals of the small seconds at 7 o’clock are also marked by tapered colored lines of differing lengths.
For enhanced legibility, the tapering, three-dimensional hands are made from 18K white gold and filled with superluminova, while the numerals and indexes are made entirely of superluminova, improving visibility, and reinforcing the modern feel of this timepiece. The dial plate itself is made from sanblasted grade 5 titanium in grey or salmon with a protective layer against UV rays. Framing the dial is a titanium bezel with an eye-catching, geometric profile unlike anything previously seen on a Romain Gauthier timepiece. The bezel is first machined into a round shape featuring a circular bevel before six straight sides are cut into it to create 6 facets. While these facets, which have been polished, reflect the light and bring the bezel to life, the rest of the bezel absorbs light thanks to its satin-finishing.
As with the other editions of C by Romain Gauthier, the winding and time setting crown has been placed at 2 o'clock, freeing up space for the wrist movement. The fluted crown also allows an easy handling and provides an additional eye-catching aesthetic element to the case. The C by Romain Gauthier features a hacking seconds.
The display case back has the same faceted design with a round shape featuring a circular bevel before six straight sides are cut into it to create 6 facets. In between the bezel and case back, the one-piece caseband and lugs are geometrically sculpted, with satin and polished finishes as well as aesthetic grooves cleverly deployed to draw out the resulting shapes.
About the Movement
The 60-hour power reserve manual wound calibre powering the C Titanium Edition Bracelet is fully visible via the display case back. Taking the center stage are a number of finger bridges —historically typical of the Vallée de Joux, Romain’s birthplace— but reinterpreted here in a contemporary way. For starters, these bridges are horizontally configured and feature a ‘stepped’ shape —previously seen on some of Logical One’s bridges— that not only provides volume and depth, but also gives the sense that the bridges are literally flowing over the gears and balance wheel, with no clear end to them. Like the case components and the dial plate, the bridges are made from lightweight, natural Grade 5 titanium and they boast contrasting tones and textures thanks to a variety of finishes.
The outer edges of each bridge all feature a double bevel, while the flat bridge surfaces and rubies are each framed by a raised border that has been straight-grained. Within these borders, the hand-finishing specialists at Manufacture Romain Gauthier have used a special hand-engraving technique to create a highly original dimpled texture. The movement mainplate beneath has been hand-frosted.
The impressive decoration doesn’t stop with the bridges and mainplate: Romain’s trademark gears and ratchet wheel featuring circular, beveled spokes have been circular-grained, while the click, snail cam and screws with S-slot heads —another signature of Romain— have been highly polished. Finally, the lid of the mainspring barrel has been embellished with a superb snailing decoration. C by Romain Gauthier’s regulator features the Romain Gauthier balance wheel with curved arms and calibrated eccentric weights, plus hand-assembled pallet lever that is triangular for maximum rigidity.
The Romain Gauthier C Titanium Edition Bracelet watch is supplied with an additional half-link to perfectly fit all wrists.
Sticker Price CHF 42,000 Swiss Francs —approximately $45,000 USD. For more info on Romain Gauthier click here.
