Sartory Billard SB07 GMT Milano Edition

GMT Great Masters of Time presents the SB07 GMT Milano Edition in collaboration with Sartory Billard.

A limited edition born from the creative partnership between the Milanese retailer and French watchmaker Armand Billard, a pioneer in sartorial watchmaking. The result is a timepiece that combines innovative design and high craftsmanship.

Milan, March 2024 - An interesting collaboration in the world of watchmaking has resulted in a precious and surprising limited edition. GMT - Great Masters of Time, a point of reference among Italian retailers for independent haute horlogerie enthusiasts, has turned to watchmaker Armand Billard and his Sartory Billard brand to create the new SB07 GMT Milano Edition. A timepiece which, on the one hand, underlines GMT's mission, always attentive to highlighting the excellence of unconventional watchmaking; on the other, it exalts the idea at the heart of Sartory Billard's philosophy: to design and create watches that capture and express both the history and unique personality of their owner and those of their co-creator.

Armand Billard has created the SB07 GMT Milano Edition based on its SB07 model, which lends itself well to the idea of sartorial watchmaking embodied by the brand. In fact, the SB07 is a blend of customisation and style, a sporty watch that combines functionality and elegance thanks to its wide range of customisation possibilities, from the materials to the design of the dial to the choice of bracelets and straps.

From the identity of vision that unites GMT and Sartory Billard came the idea of creating something unusual, using prestigious materials while maintaining a sporty look and a clearly recognisable steel case.

Dial and case

The customisation requested by GMT for the SB07 GMT Milano Edition included a meteorite dial, but in a particular colour: 4N gold, a shade somewhere between yellow and red gold, almost a champagne colour that nobody uses, and that GMT has made its own by making it an aesthetic signature.

The hour markers and the chemin de fer minute circle are applied on a sapphire crystal disc, superimposed on the meteorite dial; the even-numbered hour markers are baton-shaped, while the odd-numbered hour markers have the classic elongated Y shape that characterises some of Armand Billard's creations. The dagger hands and the absence of a date display lend the whole a refined elegance.

The 316L steel case is water-resistant to 10 bar, has a diameter of 40 mm, a thickness of 10.65 mm. It is characterised by a vertical satin finish, which is also found on the upper part of the bezel, the inclined part of which, on the other hand, is polished and lends dynamism to the entire case, which is also accentuated by the two large flares at 3 and 9 o'clock and the slightly hollowed case middle.

Calibre, bracelet and strap

At the heart of the case beats the La Joux-Perret G100 calibre, an automatic movement oscillating at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and offering 68 hours of power reserve. Armand Billard's interpretation of it in the SB07 GMT Milano Edition has a knurled peripheral rotor in sapphire crystal and 4N gold, that echoes the dial. The calibre, whose bridges are decorated with Côtes de Genève, is visible through the sapphire crystal back.

The SB07 GMT Milano Edition is available with either a rubber strap and an integrated bracelet, both with a steel folding clasp customised by Sartory Billard. The strap, made by Singapore brand Delugs exclusively for the French brand, features a Y motif reminiscent of the dial indices.

Partner statements "Every project starts with friendship, passion, and mutual respect. We met Armand through social medias and immediately fell in love with his watches and philosophy, so the idea of a collaboration came naturally". This is how Jacopo Corvo, owner of GMT - Great Masters of Time, commented on this creative partnership.

We chose to collaborate with GMT Great Masters of Time because of their unparalleled dedication to promoting independent watchmaking. Jacopo's active involvement and support throughout the creation process truly set them apart", echoed the Sartory Billard atelier.

The SB07 GMT Milano Edition watch is a limited edition of 30 pieces, on sale exclusively in the GMT - Great Masters of Time boutique at 25 Via della Spiga in Milan, priced at 8'740 euros + VAT. A timepiece that embodies both the French brand's commitment to personalised luxury, combining innovative design and high craftsmanship, and the attention to the universe of independent brands that has always characterised the Milanese retailer.

Technical specifications

Sartory Billard SB07 GMT Milano Edition

Limited edition of 30 pieces

Case

• Material: 316L stainless steel 
• Diameter: 40 mm
• Lug to lug: 48 mm
• Thickness: 10.65 mm
• Open case back with sapphire rotor
• Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
• Water-resistant to 100 metres

Dial and hands

• 4N gold Plated Meteorite
• Hour markers: applied on sapphire disc; baton and Y-shaped.
• Hands: dagger-shaped

Movement

• La Joux-Perret G100
• Self-winding calibre with peripheral rotor
• Grade 5 fluted titanium rotor, with tungsten weight

Functions/Indications

• Hours and minutes

Strap and buckle

• Green rubber strap with folding clasp and integrated steel H-link bracelet

MSRP: EUR 8'740 (excl. taxes)

For more information, please visit gmtitalia.com