CHAUMET | An homage to Chopin, the "Dandy Edition Metronome"

CHAUMET

A Limited Edition Watch of 100 Pieces from the "Dandy" Collection

An Homage to Chopin, the "Dandy Edition Metronome"

CHAUMETA new timepiece from the "Dandy" collection has been unveiled. This special watch, limited to 100 pieces worldwide, is an homage to Frédéric Chopin, who would have celebrated his 200th birthday this year.

By Dai Matsuo

For Those Who Cherish Both Timepieces and Music

Today, Chaumet's flagship boutique stands at 12 Place Vendôme in Paris, a location historically linked to Frédéric Chopin, who composed his final Mazurka there in 1849. In this bicentennial year of Chopin's birth, a new creation inspired by "music," the "Dandy Edition Metronome," has been born.

The "Dandy" collection, with its perfectly harmonious form, has already earned acclaim from watch connoisseurs worldwide as a true masterpiece. This new "Dandy Edition Metronome" features a unique complication called the "Metronomic Second," where the seconds hand swings left and right within a trapezoidal small seconds subdial, mimicking a metronome's tempo, to graphically and precisely count each second.

For those who deeply love both music and watches, the intricate mechanical movement was crafted by Jean-Marc Wiederrecht. This Swiss master artisan brought to life a complex mechanism that imbues time with a remarkable sonic dimension. A glimpse of this sophisticated mechanism can be seen through the small aperture on the dial and the transparent case back. Among the visible gears, the main wheel is intricately cut in the shape of a harp at its center. The rotation of these moving gears drives the mechanism behind the aperture, creating an original system where the metronome swings left and right to mark the time. This is a creation truly befitting Chaumet, a maison that has consistently collaborated with renowned watchmakers celebrated for their exceptional skills.

This new piece, a true successor to the "Dandy" collection, incorporates three colors that evoke the tonal qualities of Chopin's music. The "ivory" white and "onyx" black adorning the dial and strap recall the piano keys, fitting for Chopin, who is said to have dedicated his life to piano compositions. The "blue note," symbolizing George Sand—an indispensable figure in Chopin's life—is represented by the blue used for the cushion-shaped seconds hand, which is also Chaumet's corporate color.

The coloring of the "Dandy" is said to be intrinsically linked to the music born from Chopin's exquisitely sensitive artistry.

This "Dandy Edition Metronome," a true work of art, is individually numbered and limited to 100 pieces worldwide. It comes with an additional black alligator strap featuring a white gold buckle.

Case diameter: 38mm, Movement: Manual winding, Power reserve: 49 hours, Water resistance: 3 bar
Price: ¥2,583,000 (Scheduled for release January 2011)

CHAUMET
Tel. 03-3613-3188