110 HEBE Watch: `Arrows of Time`

DW • 110
‘Arrows of Time’ Skeleton : Pushing the boundaries of aestheticism
Interview with Mr. Nicolas Monge, Marketing Manager HEBE Watch group
Founded in 1901 in Alle, a small Swiss village of the Arc Jurassien, HEBE Watch rapidly stands out because of its structure.
Indeed, it is the result from the association of villagers who,
throughout time, have acquired various skills in the different
fields of horology. The unification of those experts takes its
roots in the artisanal watchmaking tradition of the region, as
during winter seasons, crops were impossible and the farmers
spent their time elaborating timepieces. From there it resulted
in a unique labor with varied and complimentary skills ultraspecialized in skeleton watches. According to the legend, the
technical culture of these Jura watchmakers would be the
foundation of the Helvetic domination in the global market.
What is the concept that inspired the creation of the
skeleton wristwatch ‘Arrows of Time’?
Nicolas Monge: Since 1901 HEBE Watch has been continually combining the different skills of its members to create
timepieces always more elaborate and exceptional than the
last one. HEBE actually means HOROLOGY ELABORATED BY
EXPERTS; and our experts strive to make watches for experts.
Today as dandyism comes back on the front scene, our experts
have chosen to join their skills one more time to revisit one of
the most legendary pieces of the Haute Horlogerie, essential
to the dandy’s outfit: the skeleton wristwatch. We wanted
to create a skeleton that breaks the classical rules and which
would give people a new look on mechanical watches; we
called it ‘Arrows of Time’ in reference to the Arrow of Time
theory.
The skeleton watch is Renaissance of the 1920s Great
Gatsby epoch, a prosperous time in American history
and origin of jazz. What did it reinvent from that period?
There are several domains of expertise which have been employed to achieve the creation. First of all, a watchmaker and
his team allowed themselves to abolish constraints and let
their creativity flow, knowing how to struggle within the maze
of technical obstacles. The professional directed the refining
and the baring of this hand-winding mechanical caliber ‘Unitas 6498’ that beats in the heart of this watch.
Then, an enlightened designer brought to the skeleton a
contemporary vision of time and transparency while valorizing
the ancestral codes of Swiss mechanical horology. It is therefore through the comfortable opening of the case’s 43mm
that watch enthusiasts can appreciate the three skeletonized
arrows, the workings of the movement highlighted by a golden finish and the volute shaped cut such of the spring setting
lever, looking like a posing dancer.
What are the main features of the skeleton watch which
allow the connoisseurs to recognize this unique piece?
Definitely the shape of the skeleton, a renowned sculptor cut
with an open work design, vented and engraved one to one
the different parts of the movement to make it lighter, almost
in weightlessness, floating between two sapphire glasses
confining it for posterity.
A saddler, an expert in leather, came to perfect the model by
adding to it a genuine alligator leather strap with a matte finish, especially chosen for its modern look, comfort and quality.
The result is ‘Arrows of Time’ pushing the boundaries of skeleton watches with the use of unusual shapes, contemporary
color schemes and faithful to our concept of Horology Elaborated By Experts.
Also should I add that it will soon be available in Paris’ trendiest shop ‘colette’ located 213 rue Saint-Honoré.
HEBE Watch S.A
Rue Achille Merguin 13
2942 Alle
Switzerland
Tel: +41 32 471 13 81
Fax: +41 32 471 23 61
VINTAGE WW1 HEURE SAUTANTE AVEC RÉSERVE DE MARCHE
Bell & Ross crée des montres de
haute horlogerie destinées aux
hommes pour qui le temps est non
seulement un outil, mais aussi une
véritable passion.
En quête d’essentiel, Bell & Ross
a créé une grande complication
horlogère à l’affichage original et
d’une parfaite lisibilité: la Vintage
WW1 Heure Sautante.
UN HABILLAGE Precieux, UNE LISIBILITÉ MAGNIFIÉE
Le platine ou l’or rose habillent avec prestige ces deux complications. Matériaux précieux par excellence, ils offrent leur
noblesse, leur solidité et leur sobriété à ces garde-temps, en
restant fidèles aux principes de conception de la maison horlogère. Le mouvement et ses finitions soignées, vis bleuies, platine perlée, masse oscillante et ponts décorés «Côtes de Genève» sont mis en exergue par un fond saphir.
Dans sa version platine, la Vintage WW1 Heure Sautante ar-
bore un second guichet pour l’indicateur de réserve de marche.
Son cadran gris et argenté opalin en or 18 cts avec son décor
guilloché à la main et son aiguille glaive bleuie lui confèrent
une élégance intemporelle.
La version en or rose est sublimée par un cadran perle opalin
orné par des index d’une grande finesse. L’indicateur de réserve de marche s’affiche avec discrétion et en parfaite harmonie
avec le cadran.
A l’instar de la ligne VINTAGE WW1, les Vintage WW1 Heure
Sautante avec leur diamètre généreux (42mm), leurs attaches
réalisées à la manière des anses à fil soudées sur le boîtier et
leur étroit bracelet font référence aux premières montres de
poignet. Ces nouveaux modèles se distinguent également par
la douceur de leurs
courbes. Ces monWW1 Heure Sautante or rose
tres épousent ainsi
avec réserve de marche
parfaitement le poiEdition limitée à 50 pièces
gnet, donnant une
sensation de confort
incomparable.
Ces deux gardetemps incarnent le
savoir-faire de la Maison horlogère Bell &
Ross. Leur élégance
signe la noblesse de
leurs lignes épurées.
Ils associent avec
brio la complexité
d’un
mouvement
mécanique à la simplicité d’un système
de lecture inédit.
Bell & Ross réalise
ainsi parfaitement
sa mission originelle
qui consiste à mettre
la technique au service de la lisibilité.