Christophe Claret Sheikh Zayed Westminster Flying Tourbillon Minute Repeater

Christophe Claret wanted to pay homage to the people of the United Arab Emirates and to a great Arab legend by creating an exceptional watch bearing the image of the initiator of the formation of the United Arab Emirates: Skeikh Zayed. «Sheikh Zayed» is a Westminster flying tourbillon minute repeater provided with a jaquemart automata featuring Sheikh Zayed.

Entirely handmade miniature painting, by Mr André Martinez, is thus staged in the new painting of the Legend unique piece collection of Christophe Claret. To decorate the center of the flying tourbillon, Christophe Claret has chosen to honor the royal falcon, symbol of royalty.

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

«Sheikh Zayed» is available in two unique piece, one in red gold and one in titanium. With this work, artist-watchmaker Christophe Claret once again confirms his excellence.

Christophe Claret

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, Jinmu Tennō and today Sheikh Zayed, 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.

Technical specifications

Christophe Claret Sheykh Zayed Westminster Flying Tourbillon Minute Repeater

Reference: MTR.NBC98908

Unique Piece

Case

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

Dial and hands

• Dial: Hand painting
• Hands: Red gold and blued 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 Falcon
• 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 Vegetable leather

MSRP: CHF 680'000

Technical specifications

Christophe Claret Sheikh Zayed Westminster Flying Tourbillon Minute Repeater

Reference: MTR.NBC98909

Unique Piece

Case

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

Dial and hands

• Dial: Hand painting
• Hands: Grey gold and blued 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 Falcon
• 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 Vegetable leather

MSRP: CHF 650'000

For more information, please visit christopheclaret.com