The Perrelet Turbine Will Propel Innovative Aquarians

The Astrology of Horology Series
Aquarius 2011 (January 21-February 19)

The eleventh sign of the zodiac and symbolized by the water bearer, Aquarians show aptitude for new and revolutionary ideas. In addition they are gadget freaks, entranced by the most novel and coolest products to hit the market. The 3-hand Perrelet Turbine encompasses all the characteristics dear to this watery sign and will make a wonderful horological accompaniment to their wrist.

In terms of mechanical watches, rotors might seem a quite ordinary and standard feature, a convenient way to keep your watch juiced up if you wear it every other day. Before the rotor, however, you had to remember to hand wind your watch to keep it ticking. That is until a guy, a watchmaker named Abraham-Louis Perrelet, probably got tired of having his watch stop working when he forgot to wind it. To dispense with this inconvenience, Perrelet invented an oscillating weight for pocket watches in 1770. According to the Geneva Society of Arts, who apparently tested the mechanism in 1776, fifteen minutes of walking wound up the watch for eight days. Really now? That must’ve been one heck of an efficient rotor. Nonetheless, Perrelet is credited with inventing the automatic movement, and the modern company Perrelet takes its inspiration and guidance from this pioneering watchmaker.

In homage to its namesake founder, Perrelet has revisited the rotor in the Turbine, incorporating one on the back to power the watch and a second decorative one on the dial, animating it into a mesmerizing show of time. Taking its cues from aeronautics, the front of the watch resembles a plane propeller. A flick of the wrist puts the turbine, composed of 12 blades made of titanium, into motion under an interior black bezel. Underneath the turbines, a striped dial gives the optical whirlwind effect of a pinwheel. You can choose from a green, red, orange, white or black backdrop for your turbine.

The P-181 Calibre, which is an ETA based movement, is the motor driving the Turbine. The plates are decorated with Côtes de Genève and the functional rotor, featuring a cutout pattern, is colored black and bears the Perrelet insignia.

Since technology and exploration rev up Aquarians, they will like the fact that Perrelet will release their own in-house movement very soon. Not many people know this but the same umbrella company owns both Perrelet and Soprad. When Swatch announced they wouldn’t be supplying movement kits to the industry, Soprad stepped in to fill the gap. Therefore, Perrelet now has the resources to be their own manufacture. Exciting stuff for such a young brand.

Another detail Aquarians will appreciate is the crown, which sits flush against the concave case. Slip your finger under the bottom and a small ring pops up to wind the watch. A pull on the ring allows you to set the time. A pretty nifty design element.

Many inventors, visionaries, and trailblazers fall under the astrological sign of Aquarius. The Perrelet Turbine will not only tickle their quirky mechanical side but also satisfy their need to be original.

The Perrelet Turbine comes in two sizes and both on a black rubber strap:  43.5mm and an XXL size of 50mm with case options of titanium, DLC and rose gold. Prices range from $5,000-$25,900 for the rose gold version.

TECHNICAL DATA CONCERNING THE MOVEMENT

–  Thickness of basic movement, oscillating weight
included : 5,15 mm
–  Fitting diameter: 31,60 mm
–  Total diameter of movement: 31,60 mm
–  Vibrations / hour: 28’800 (4 Hz)
–  Jewelling: 21 rubies
–  Autonomy of the movement, fully wound: more than
40 hours
–  Automatic winding mechanism with oscillating weight
fitted on a ball bearing
–  Anti-shock system on balance: Incabloc
–  Fine adjustment device