Christophe Claret Alamo Westminster Flying Tourbillon Minute Repeater

Christophe Claret wanted to pay homage to the bravery of Texan pioneers by staging this tragic episode of the Texan revolution during which the legendary Davy Crockett died there : the siege of Fort Alamo which took place from February 23 to March 6, 1836.

« Alamo» is a Westminster flying tourbillon minute repeater provided with 4 jaquemart automatons featuring the beginning of the battle of Alamo, with the representation in particular of Davy Crockett.

Entirely handmade miniature painting, by Mr André Martinez, was staged and created by Christophe Claret SA in this new painting from the Legend unique piece collection of Christophe Claret. The animation module was specially created to respect the 19th century work that served as a model for this timepiece.

The Westminster minute repeater mechanism allows you to play a musical tune when the quarters ring. Each quarters has a different ringtone «C DEG;GDEC;EGDC.» This ringtone, resulting from a collaboration between Christophe Claret and a virtuoso violinist, offers notes with optimal quality.

« Alamo » is available in three unique piece, one in red gold, one in titanium and one engraved titanium.

These blued engravings are in likeness of Davy Crockett ; we can see the inscription there « Davy Crockett The Lion of the West » as well as his date of birth and death, but also floral arabesques inspired by the arms of 1830.

Genesis

Since the day when Christophe Claret, then a student, entered the workshop of a watchmaker-restorer, he has nourished a passion for complicated timepieces, in particular old pocket watches, often equipped with a locking mechanism. Minute-repeaters, real little « chefs-d’ceuvre » of precision striking hours, quarters and minutes on demand.

He has continuously studied, understood and improved this grand complication which many consider to be the finest in watchmaking. Because to technical complexity is added musical poetry. In 1989, the first caliber signed by Christophe Claret was a minute repeater. A series of watches with evocative names followed: Adagio, Soprano, Allegro, Concertino, Napoleon, Sheikh Zayed, Jinmu Tennō, Ibn Saoud, Suleiman Magnificent, and today Alamo, becomes the new flagship of these unique prestigious pieces.

The movement: NBC98 Caliber

The Legend collection movement sets the tone in the family of traditional complications watches, the first of the four collections of the Christophe Claret brand. It is inspired by previous creations by the master watchmaker, while once apain pushing the limits of what is possible in this area.

With a frequency of 3 hertz (21,600 vibrations per hour) by means of its flying tourbillon, the NBC98 caliber comes to life thanks to a single barrel. The mechanism has a power reserve of around 60 hours. The request for the minute repeater is traditionally made through a sliding pusher on the left side of the case. We can therefore contemplate the animation of the Jaquemart automata, while listening the melodious sound of time by the Westminster cathedral ringing.

Christophe Claret is the designer of this four-branch balance wheel which offers an inertia / weight ratio close to the ideal balance: although very complex to manufacture, this aerodynamic balance is easy to adjust and balance.

The «cathedral» stamps of Legend collections «Westminster» ringing have been the subject of special care - as always with Christophe Claret. This type of bell has the particularity of going around the movement twice in order to express sounds that are longer, clearer and more powerful...Excellence is required for their manufacture in drawn steel, for their assembly and tuning. They benefit from a patented in-house invention which blocks significant vibrations despite their exceptional lengths and thus prohibits all parasitic noises.

Aesthetics

As with its technical design, the aesthetic of the Legend collection is the fruit of the work and creativity of Christophe Claret. The case harmoniously combines the polished and satin finishes of 5N red gold or titanium,
highlighting the play of lights. Grade 5 titanium is hard and very difficult to machine, it has the advantage of being extremely light and above all of sublimating the transmission of the ringing sound.

The dial also magnifies the light and dark, with its unique nuances of hues and personalized materials. The Legend collection watches proudly displays a handmade miniature painting of a setting specific to each theme addressed.

Technical specifications

Christophe Claret Alamo Westminster Flying Tourbillon Minute Repeater

Reference: MTR.NBC98.932

Unique piece

Case

• Material: 5N red gold
• Diameter: 47 mm
• Thickness: 15 mm
• Crown: 5N red gold
• Minute repeater slider: 5N red gold
• Water-resistant to 30 meters

Dial and hands

• Dial: Hand painting
• Hands: Red gold and blue steel 

Movement

• NBC98, mechanical, hand-wound movement
• Diameter: 37.00 mm
• Thickness: 9.03 mm (without hands)
• Number of parts: 511
• Number of jewels: 36
• Barell: Single mainspring barrel
• Power reserve of approx. 60 hours
• Escapement: Swiss lever
• Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
• Flying tourbillon with cage bridge decorated with the Texas Flag, Lone Star Flag.
• Tourbillon rotates once every 60 seconds

Functions/Indications

• Hours, minutes
• Hours, quarters and minutes repeater on demand Inertia wheel
• 4-note minute repeater playing Westminster chime
• 4-jaquemart automata animated when ringing
• Slide to activate the minute repeater function
• 2-position crown. Drawn: time setting.
• Thrust: winding the movement

Strap and buckle

• Embossed alligator leather strap in colors of the Lone Star Flag.

MSRP: CHF 680'000

Technical specifications

Christophe Claret Alamo Westminster Flying Tourbillon Minute Repeater

Reference: MTR.NBC98.933

Unique piece

Case

• Material: Grade 5 titanium
• Diameter: 47 mm
• Thickness: 15 mm
• Crown: Grade 5 titanium
• Minute repeater slider: Grade 5 titanium
• Water-resistant to 30 meters

Dial and hands

• Dial: Hand painting
• Hands: Grey gold and blue steel 

Movement

• NBC98, mechanical, hand-wound movement
• Diameter: 37.00 mm
• Thickness: 9.03 mm (without hands)
• Number of parts: 511
• Number of jewels: 36
• Barell: Single mainspring barrel
• Power reserve of approx. 60 hours
• Escapement: Swiss lever
• Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
• Flying tourbillon with cage bridge decorated with the Texas Flag, Lone Star Flag.
• Tourbillon rotates once every 60 seconds

Functions/Indications

• Hours, minutes
• Hours, quarters and minutes repeater on demand Inertia wheel
• 4-note minute repeater playing Westminster chime
• 4-jaquemart automata animated when ringing
• Slide to activate the minute repeater function
• 2-position crown. Drawn: time setting.
• Thrust: winding the movement

Strap and buckle

• Embossed alligator leather strap in colors of the Lone Star Flag.

MSRP: CHF 650'000

Technical specifications

Christophe Claret Alamo Westminster Flying Tourbillon Minute Repeater

Reference: MTR.NBC98.934

Unique piece

Case

• Material: Engraved Grade 5 titanium case
• Diameter: 47 mm
• Thickness: 15 mm
• Crown: Grade 5 titanium
• Minute repeater slider: Grade 5 titanium
• Water-resistant to 30 meters

Dial and hands

• Dial: Hand painting
• Hands: Grey gold and blue steel 

Movement

• NBC98, mechanical, hand-wound movement
• Diameter: 37.00 mm
• Thickness: 9.03 mm (without hands)
• Number of parts: 511
• Number of jewels: 36
• Barell: Single mainspring barrel
• Power reserve of approx. 60 hours
• Escapement: Swiss lever
• Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
• Flying tourbillon with cage bridge decorated with the Texas Flag, Lone Star Flag.
• Tourbillon rotates once every 60 seconds

Functions/Indications

• Hours, minutes
• Hours, quarters and minutes repeater on demand Inertia wheel
• 4-note minute repeater playing Westminster chime
• 4-jaquemart automata animated when ringing
• Slide to activate the minute repeater function
• 2-position crown. Drawn: time setting.
• Thrust: winding the movement

Strap and buckle

• Embossed alligator leather strap in colors of the Lone Star Flag.

MSRP: CHF 690'000

For more information, please visit christopheclaret.com