Insight Micro-Rotor Natural Titanium and Black Titanium blend ultra high-end horology – an oh-so-finely-finished, in-house automatic movement featuring 22k gold bidirectional micro-rotor, all on show – with a perfectly executed 39.5mm Grade 5 titanium case that is light and sturdy, yet very easy on the eye. Horological sublimity and stylish wearability rolled into one.
“I feel more and more collectors are realising that haute horlogerie doesn’t have to come served in a precious metal or stainless steel case,” says Romain Gauthier. “When done well, titanium is not just a viable alternative, it can be an outright preference.”
Perhaps this is none more so than with Insight Micro-Rotor Natural Titanium and Black Titanium which combine the ergonomy of a casually-styled, modestly-sized titanium case with a spectacular manufacture movement that is efficient, powerful, uncomplicated (for the better) and highly visible (even dial side).
Sweeping around the centre of the dial are small seconds surrounded by an hour-minute subdial at 12 o’clock, beating balance at 6 o’clock and, at 9 o’clock, the swaying micro-rotor, framed by a cut-out in the mainplate. This compact oscillating weight turns fluidly and noiselessly between two bridges, each fitted with a friction-minimising, wear-resistant ruby bearing. In whichever direction the micro-rotor swings, it winds a serially operating double mainspring barrel that, when fully wound, provides 80 hours of power.
There are more stunning views of the movement through the display back: The sinuous shapes of the hand-bevelled, hand-polished bridges – secured using Romain Gauthier’s signature S-slot screws – are juxtaposed by the linear plaquettes adorning them, while the gears and ratchets stand out for their circular arms that have been bevelled.
Part of these timepieces’ splendour lies in the contrasts created by the various finishes applied: Light and dark, polished and satin-finished, straight-grained and hand-frosted.
For Insight Micro-Rotor Natural Titanium, the caseband and bezel are polished, while the lugs and caseback are satin-finished. The black NAC-treated mainplate makes the palladium-treated bridges visually pop, with the straight-graining of the dial-side bridges counterpointed by the hand-frosting on the mainplate. The oven-fired enamel dial bears a sumptuous gloss.
For Insight Micro-Rotor Black Titanium, the bezel, lugs and caseback of the ADLC titanium case are satin-finished, with the caseband polished. Both the bridges and mainplate are black NAC-treated but the straight-graining on the bridges makes them stand out against the hand-frosted mainplate. The same hand-frosting technique has been used to give the oven-fired enamel dial an eye-catching matte finish.
The result is the apotheosis of the daily, luxury timepiece that is a joy to look at, feels great to wear and fits in with manifold lifestyles.
Insight Micro-Rotor Natural Titanium and Black Titanium are both available in three 10-piece limited editions: with oven-fired white enamel dial, oven-fired black enamel dial and oven-fired blue enamel dial. Strap options include casual matte black alligator leather and supple black natural rubber.
