Press release
Participating for the first time at Only Watch 09, the ultra exclusive luxury watch brand, Cabestan, recorded an oustanding performance at the charity auction this evening in Monaco, under the patronage of S.A.S Prince Albert II of Monaco.
The unique Cabestan Winch Tourbillon Vertical raised 220'000 Euros (333'000 CHF) for the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy after a highly competitive round of bidding from an impressively large number of international watch collectors. This one-of-a-kind Cabestan signed by Sébastien Loeb achieved the 3rd highest price of all watches sold at the auction.
The third edition of this famous charity event welcomed 35 unique timepieces from the world's most well-known watchmakers. Among them, an exclusive model of the Cabestan Winch Tourbillon Vertical, entirely conceived by creator Jean-François Ruchonnet.
Signed by five time world champion rallye driver Sébastien Loeb, with whom Jean-François Ruchonnet shares his passion for automobile racing, this exceptional timepiece earned the admiration of all the collectors and enthusiasts assembled at Only Watch 09. This enthusiasm echoed that of admirers throughout the tour preceeding the event at showings in Shangai, Geneva, London, New York and Milan. Over 250 bidders attended the auction this evening. All proceeds of the sale will be donated to research to fund the combat against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
“I am deeply touched by the enthusiasm that surrounded the Cabestan Winch Tourbillon Vertical among the bidders at Only Watch 09. And I am very happy that it sold for a record price that will all go to reinforce the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy,“ declared Jean-François Ruchonnet.
Cabestan Winch Tourbillon Vertical Only Watch Special Edition
Technical Data
Functions
• Hours, minutes, seconds read from two engraved rotary drums
• Power reserve indicator on rotating drums (72 hours, with an average amplitude of the balance of 240 degrees)
Movement
• Mechanical with vertical tourbillon and fusee with chain
• 1352 components
• Manually wound calibre CAB EC 101 with Swiss lever escapement
• Frequency: 21 600 alt/h or 3 HZ
• Breguet-style overcoil; Geneva stud
• Balance amplitude: 240°
• Rewinding and time setting with a auto-disengaging torque winch
• Stainless steel chain 230 mm long made of 450 links and 150 rivets assembled by hand
• Vertical gear system with golden brass wheels, rhodium-plated bottom-plate and bridges, and steel pinions
• Fully hand finished components: beveling, polishing, drawing, graining and hooping
Case
• Bicolor: Brushed, natural titanium case and black PVD sides
• Case composed of 7 elements welded under vacuum in a controlled atmosphere
• Two functional capstans (total number of components: 50)
• Two ornamental capstans (total number of components: 20)
• Back of the case can be engraved according to the client's wishes
• Two thermoformed. metalized Pyrex crystals hand-fitted for each case
• Sides in black PVD featuring a grille like that for ventilation on race car
Engraved back
• Cabestan logo with inscription « Pièce Unique »
• The back of the watch features the signature of five time world champion rallye driver Sébastien Loeb and an engraving of the legendary Formula 1 circuit in Monaco
Strap & Buckle
• Double buckle, which accommodates the winch crank
• High quality grey crocodile leather with dark grey stitching. Handmade edges folded back and sown.
Accessories
• Special tool for winding and setting the time is stored in the box
• Miniature winch for winding and setting the time is hidden in the buckle
About Cabestan
A veritable object of fine mechanical art, the Cabestan Winch Tourbillon Vertical, from the moment of its creation, is heralded as a masterpiece of ingenuity, combining elegance, innovation and a decidedly strong character. Its creator, Jean-François Ruchonnet, is quickly joined by Eric Coudray, master watchmaker known by collectors around the world. Together, they complete the development of this revolutionary movement.
Pushing the limits of watch complications to the extreme, the Cabestan is a vertically oriented movement with no less than 1350 components. A tremendous feat that only the combined expertise of Jean-François Ruchonnet and Eric Coudray could achieve: the integration of a vertical tourbillon, the development of a constant force movement using a miniature chain and “fuse” that makes it one of the most precise watches in the world, and the extraordinary design with vertical wheels and bridges, and twin thermoformed glasses.
In order to clear the technological hurdles encountered, Jean-François Ruchonnet, since the beginning of the project, saw the need to have his own manufacture. Situated in L'Orient, in the Vallée de Joux, Cabestan's manufacture boasts a team of six highly qualified watchmakers and is one of the rare firms to be recruiting new staff in this period of financial uncertainty.
Today, the Cabestan Winch Tourbillon Vertical can be proud of the fact that it has seduced watch professionals internationally and that it has given collectors of exclusive watches around the world a reason to dream. More and more collectors are discovering and acquiring this timepiece that breaks with the traditional constraints of watchmaking design. Completely authentic, the Cabestan by Jean-François Ruchonnet is a masterpiece of mechanical timekeeping, entirely made by hand and corresponding to the very special demands of discerning collectors and owners of exceptional watches looking for timepieces with the highest levels of quality, performance and design.
The future of the brand is already charted and well underway: a Cabestan chronograph with an ingenious system of micro-hydraulics that controls two tourbillons, vertical naturally, and a writing instrument incorporating the same hydraulic technology developed by Jean-François Ruchonnet.
