Zenith (previously mentioned) has come out with an updated version of their Christophe Colomb watch, the only watch with a gimbal-mounted balance. Their idea was to let the gimbal keep the balance wheel in a constant position, and adjust it there, rather then letting a Tourbillon average out different positions, and they thought it looked cool. They've skeletonized the dial and crammed a fusee and chain into the movement. I have no idea how they managed to cram that fusee in there, but it does make sense in the context, since it's most commonly seen in marine chronometers. Technically it's something of a tour-de-force, one of the few modes of regulation that has no direct competition, and the domed sapphire IS quite cool looking. Functionally, it's a massive brute of a watch, bigger then most Pannys.
Specs:
- Limited Edition of 25 Pieces
- The case, in 18kt rose gold, measures 45mm x 14.3mm (21.4mm counting the sapphire glass extrusion for the gravity control cage, and it is water resistant to 30 meters.
- Movement is the Swiss manual-wind Zenith in-house caliber El Primero 8805 with 53 jewels, 36,000 vph and a power reserve of 50 hours. The movement is comprised of 939 parts, with the gravity control module having 575 parts.
Dial Side
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| Full Dial Shot | Closeup of the Gimballed escapement |
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| Closeup of the face and the fusee and chain behind it | |
Back Side
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| Full Caseback. You can see the globe-like patterning on the gold counterweight | Closeup of the rotated escapement |
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