BRM’s V14-44 Racing Limited Edition
Keith W. Strandberg
08/01/2005
While the dial and caseback generally envelop the movement of a
mechanical watch, watchmakers increasingly are using exhibition casebacks made
of sapphire crystal to display the timepiece’s inner workings. In addition to
showing off the complex mechanical nature of fine watches, exposed movements
grant watchmakers the opportunity to decorate everything from the rotor to the
baseplates.
In keeping with this trend, the relatively new watchmaker BRM
offers a stylized watch with chronograph movement based on its reliable
Valjoux 7753, with a case so transparent that even the workings of the three
subdials are visible. The BRM V14-44 Racing Limited Edition ($15,500) will
number only 100 pieces total—50 each with either red or yellow hands.
The
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph ($16,700 in steel) revels in
its caliber 3120 automatic movement; its exhibition caseback allows you to see
the finished movement and marvel at the piece’s inner workings.
Zenith
is another company leading the way with its innovative Open series, which gives
wearers a view of the famous El Primero movement turning at 36,000 beats an
hour. The Grande Chronomaster XXT Open retails for $8,300 in steel.
Interest
in these fine timepieces are a sign that watch manufacturers will continue
exposing the beauty of their movements to the light of day.
Dunlop Motorcycle Tires will offer a series of high-quality, collector’s edition Legends posters, with the net proceeds benefiting injured riders through the Clayton Memorial Foundation. ::MORE::
