Le Rhöne: Friendship and Horological Complications

The River Rhône, the fluid line that links Switzerland to the Mediterranean, enriched by its passage through Geneva and its rich associations with luxury, along the legendary street bearing the same name, tarrying for a few moments on the shores of Lake Geneva in its eagerness to attain the open waters.
 

Surprise no.1. The double-tourbillon challenge is one that is rarely met by watchmaking brands. Securing a firm foothold in this very closed circle establishes a brand instantly, no matter who it is. A solo tourbillon, the mother of all complications, whose ultimate mark of refinement may be savoured in a calibre that beats at the slower speed of 21,600 vibrations an hour, is given a companion. Two regulating organs, each ensconced within a cage, complete a 60-second revolution around their own axis. The manual winding providing a power reserve of around 72 hours establishes a solid connection with its timepiece, one based on respect and admiration for a dial so visible to the observer that it appears almost crystal-free. This illusion of depth comes from the super anti-reflection treatment, the same to be found coating the crystal back leaving open to view the secret mechanisms powering this masterpiece of micromechanical watchmaking. 
 

Crowning the dial at 12 o'clock noon, a first sub-dial marks off in 24 graduations the wearer's reference time, the so-called home time. Home Time is, in fact, the name of this model, which also indicates the day-night transition via a rotating star, the hallmark signature of the Le Rhöne brand in the case of the DT-01, or in the case of the DT-02, via a pear-shaped hand sporting a sun motif in its lower half. Two of the indices are Arabic numerals, while the others are short, fat and baton-shaped, with luminescent grooves, or simply absent. In the first model in the family, the tourbillons are surmounted by a pair of bridges, whose point of junction resembles holding hands, whereas in the second version, the brand's logo appears once again, seemingly levitating within the two flying tourbillons.
 

The 45 mm diameter white gold watch case, however, whose water-resistance has been tested to at least 3 ATM, i.e. a depth of 30 metres, has a number of surfaces that lend themselves perfectly to customisation. The stepped case can house an interesting interplay between polished and satin-finish, as well as the odd exclusive gem-setting. The combinations are endless. These models come with brown alligator strap with deployant buckle. 
 

Housed within the 45 mm diameter case, this time water-resistant to 100 metres, the heart of the calibre LR.CBC-1, a mechanical chronograph movement with automatic winding, beats at a frequency of 28,000 vibrations an hour (4 Hertz). In addition to its 25 functional jewels and hand-decorations, it boasts 44 hours of power reserve. The Le Rhöne movement features a modular-built chassis combining a Soprod A10 calibre base with a Dubois Dépraz chronograph module. Everything here has been executed in the purest watchmaking tradition, according to the most exacting codes required of watchmaking excellence. 
 

Amid the full array of possibilities dancing before my eyes, myriad combinations of materials, stylized dials and customized cases, there is one limited edition model in particular that sends shivers up my spine. The all black model boasts a black DLC-coated case alternating between mirror-polished and satin-finished vertical dials. The satin-finished version, whose galvanic depths harbour the discreet sweep of black hands, also coated in a luminescent material to contrast with the black appliques, stands as a testament to impeccable taste. Without a doubt, one of the most adrenalin-arousing chronographs of the season.