Le Rhöne Horölogy “10th Anniversary” Tourbillon QP Retrograde

At Geneva Watch Week 2023, to celebrate its first 10 years of existence, Le Rhöne unveils a remarkable Anniversary piece: a perpetual calendar tourbillon timepiece made of platinum and titanium, a special execution within the HORÖLOGY collection, Le Rhöne’s dedicated realm for Complications watches.

True to the LE RHÖNE spirit, the quintessence of the values and know-how developed by the Swiss watch brand over 10 years, the Horölogy “10th Anniversary" was designed by Swiss designer Eric Giroud and comes with a QP Tourbillon Retrograde movement conceived and developed in collaboration with two of the most prestigious Swiss watchmaking ateliers, Le Cercle des Horlogers and Agenhor, who are for the first time joining forces on a horological project.

Less is more...

New case, new dimensions – the spirit of Le RHÖNE is strong in this Anniversary timepiece, inaugurating a new design developed in collaboration with the famous Swiss designer Eric Giroud. Understatement was the watchword throughout the conception of the timepiece, with its measured, refined and discreet design contrasting with the imposing diameter of a 45mm case and the complexity of the movement hinted at inside.

Whilst symbolizing the quintessence of Le Rhöne's design and technical codes, Horölogy “10th Anniversary” modernizes the collection’s aesthetic. For instance, the bezel as such now disappears into the case, becoming an integral part of it along the entire profile line, expressing a continuous harmony, as well as an elegant and refined smoothness.

A larger dial aperture Proceeding further, though the bezel is gone, its presence subtly persists and can be inferred from the shape of the dial which now benefits from a larger visual space. The whole gains in openness, clarity, amplitude and purity! An aesthetic direction that already foreshadows the work of Le Rhöne’s design team in the future. From a profile perspective, the construction of five superimposed elements presents a perfectly balanced unit, giving it a fluid line and particularly satisfying ergonomics.

Thus, while its volume – not least due to a 45mm diameter – may seem imposing, the perception is quite different when the watch is on the wrist. Using an upper shell and two complex curved cover plates of platinum sandwiching the titanium case (to make the whole lighter), the designer’s approach reveals a three-dimensional depth of character. Behind the minimalistic appearance, the whole proves particularly complex, with polished and satin finishes playing off each other and subtly bringing out the different materials and textures but also the horological functions.

Titanium makes its debut in Le Rhöne’s collections

If platinum, a noble, precious and eternal metal par excellence, rarer than gold, naturally white, totally stainless and non-allergenic, is a natural choice for this anniversary series, its weight – greater than that of gold – often proves a drawback in terms of comfort for the wearer.

Le Rhöne remedies this by combining platinum on the upper, visible parts, such as the bezel and the two cover plates as well as the case back, with titanium for the case sides, asserting this choice of metal for Le Rhöne collections. Much lighter than platinum, with excellent mechanical properties, solid and resistant, and offering the perfect blend of lightness and resistance to corrosion, titanium considerably reduces the total weight of the watch, whilst adding to its ergonomics and wearability.

Innovative! Creative! Collaborative! A resolutely contemporary kind of watchmaking! Human Tempö, a motto that perfectly expresses the spirit of Le Rhöne.

It’s putting people at the heart of the design and manufacturing processes. Valuing the knowledge and expertise of everyone on the team. Bringing them together. Thinking, exchanging and creating as a group. Collaborating in harmony to make watches that symbolize great technical mastery, whilst maintaining a simple, pure, accessible, contemporary approach.

From Porrentruy to Geneva, Le Rhöne has often distinguished itself by its collaboration not only with the best partners at the heart of the Swiss watchmaking industry, but also by its ability to coalesce expertise around collaborative and unifying projects. Thus, for the first time in their history, two of the industry’s most prestigious watch design and manufacturing studios have agreed to collaborate with Le Rhöne to create the brand's Anniversary timepiece.

While the design and manufacturing expertise of the craftsmen at the Le Cercle des Horlogers, based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, regularly flows into Le Rhöne's complications, the double tourbillon and the moon phase (as in the Moön Aventurine Titane 37 mm (also presented during Geneva Watch Week 2023), the team at Geneva-based Agenhor contributes its particular expertise in complications such as the bi-retrograde perpetual calendar.

The alliance of these two great names in the service of Le Rhöne's creative expression translates into a striking, masterful result, both in terms of its high technical complexity and the apparent simplicity of its functions.

Remarkable readability

The dial on the watch is pure, refined in its simplicity, and particularly elegant. The color is a deep, smooth, dark midnight blue with a velvety opaline texture that contrasts with the alternating white and gray silvered decal indications and the Le Rhöne signature in the form of a small, hexagonal, satin-finished gold plate with polished bevels in the center.

Le Rhöne’s signature hour and minute hands, evoking a sword, have been revisited for a thinner and more contemporary look. Faceted and with polished bevels as well, both are satin-finished on their upper surface and feature a central vein of midnight blue Super-LumiNova™. As a result, the whole plays with light and its reflections, offering more contrast for easy legibility. The indexes give way to twelve tubes, conduits rather, filled at the upper section with Super-LumiNova™; around the edge of the dial, an elegant minute track, complemented by a matte black flange to accentuate the sense of visual depth.

The whole is well balanced spatially and the indications easy to read. The hands move deliberately across the dial and are adjusted for accurate reading. The fonts are decidedly contemporary. On the left side, the days of the week are displayed in an arc; this is mirrored on the right side by an arc indicating the date. At noon, a smaller discreet arc indicates the month of the year as well as leap years. At 6 o’clock, the flying tourbillon cage with its three stylized R’s; it rotates in 60 seconds.

The details are subtle and discreet. The dial is easy to read and simple to use. It is perfect for those who seek a classic and timeless look.

Finally, the right-handed crown, which has also been redesigned, features a midnight blue rubber insert to comfortably wind the watch; it elegantly echoes the dial. For the first time, the brand's propeller-shaped symbol with its three stylized R’s – found on all moving parts (tourbillon, oscillating weight) of Le Rhöne watches – is also emblazoned on its profile.

The strap, which reinforces the sport chic character of the watch, is made of rubber, also tone-on-tone with the dial, and stands out by its skillful workmanship; in harmony with the lines of the case, combining strength and comfort.

A movement whose every angle is patiently finished by hand

While the 303-component movement is finished to the highest standards of Haute Horlogerie, its resolutely contemporary architecture is revealed by a rhodium-plated, stylized Le Rhöne micro-rotor that occupies only one third of the movement, allowing the beautiful mechanism to be admired in full. The decoration is microblasted while the bridges are patiently beveled by hand. The colors of the movement are of particular interest, shades of grey anthracite, the dominant shade of ruthenium, accentuating the modernity of its architecture.

And because the Horölogy “10th Anniversary” Tourbillon QP Retrograde is primarily designed to be worn by a modern and active clientele, it comes with a comfortable power reserve of about 72 hours. It is also water resistant to 3 ATM, about 30 meters (close to 100 feet).

Ultimately, the Horölogy Tourbillon QP Retrograde is a celebration of savoir-faire, expertise, human genius, the master’s instinctive hand gesture; an understated and contemporary aesthetic combined with great technical mastery, one that remains both discreet and graspable.

Le Rhöne celebrates its 10th Anniversary!

When the independent Swiss brand Le Rhöne was born in 2013, its two founders Loïc Florentin and Timo Rajakoski (who met on the school benches in Venezuela) nurtured a vision of creative Haute Horlogerie for a very discerning, more dynamic clientele.

Renowned for timepieces that are 100% manufactured in French-speaking Switzerland (case, movement, bracelet, including sapphire crystals and all components), Le Rhöne has held the COSC precision certification for its entire production since 2019 (except for the complications).

The Horölogy collection, which was launched in 2018 and encompasses Le Rhöne’s suite of grand complication timepieces, is one of the brand’s five flagship collections, along with Moön, Röad Racer, Hedönia and Vöyage. Its design is fully in line with the brand’s range of creations; it speaks to a dynamic and active audience of connoisseurs who enjoy a refined yet casual lifestyle. The anniversary model, even though it is limited to only 10 pieces, may be the gateway for an modern clientele to enter the exclusive world of complications.

Technical specifications

Le Rhöne Horölogy “10th Anniversary” Tourbillon QP Retrograde

Special Anniversary edition, limited to 10 pieces only

Case

• Material: Material PT950 platinum and Grade 5 titanium
• Thickness: 15.2mm
• Diameter: 45mm (56.3mm x 48.4mm including les covers and crown)
• Crystals: Sapphire, antireflective coating on the case back
• Bezel and cover plates PT950 platinum
• Case back: PT950 platinum
• Crown: PT950 platinum, avec midnight blue rubber insert
• Water-resistant to 3 ATM, about 30 meters (100 feet)

Dial and hands

• Dial: Midnight blue opaline
• Retrograde indications of the day, date and month
• Hour markers: ‘Tube’-type, grey-white silver with Super-LumiNova™
• Minute markers: Baton-type, grey-white silver
• Hands: Polished and satin-brushed, with midnight blue Super-LumiNova™ centerline
• Signature: Hexagonal, gilt, satin-brushed plaque, centered with Le Rhöne signature

Movement

• Caliber Developed and manufactured in Switzerland jointly by Le Cercle des Horlogers (Neuchâtel) and Agenhor (Geneva)
• Number of jewels: 303
• Number of jewels: 45
• Frequency: 3 Hz, 21,600 vph
• Oscillating mass: Exclusive Le Rhöne design, openworked, in the shape of Le Rhöne propeller
• Power reserve approx. 72 hours

Functions/Indications

• Hours and minutes, flying tourbillon
• Retrograde perpetual calendar (date, day, month)

Strap and buckle

• Material: Alligator, midnight blue
• Buckle: Grade 5 titanium

MSRP: CHF 148'500 (taxes included)

For more information, please visit lerhone.com