With a history spanning almost 250 years, Perrelet, founded in 1777 by master watchmaker Abraham-Louis Perrelet, continues to surprise connoisseurs of fine mechanical watchmaking with many interesting proposals that, thanks to their versatility, become the perfect timepiece for any occasion. From the business world to gala events and urban life.
The Turbine Urban Skeleton is available in three different versions, each highlighted by a vibrant colour: grass green, electric blue or red, and introduces the cushion-shaped case instead of the traditional round one. These shades, which are already familiar from the many existing proposals, personalise the hour markers and seconds hand, but not the sub-dial, a missing element in this range of timepieces. For the first time, the rotating turbine brings watchmaking technology to the fore, with the unveiling of the new skeleton manufacture movement.
Turbine Urban Skeleton renews and extends the Turbine collections. A new and fresh look that reinforces a successful line that is steeped in the DNA of the brand that patented the iconic Turbine® in 2009. A device which has since become Perrelet's unmistakable signature in the watchmaking panorama.
The cushion-shaped case
Sixteen years after the launch of the first Turbine model, Perrelet is now venturing into a completely new design with the Turbine Urban Skeleton. The case of this iconic line, which over the years has been produced in various diameters and materials ranging from natural steel to black DLC or PVD-coated steel, titanium or the more innovative carbon fibre, has always retained its round shape, the most established in the watch industry.
Instead, this new creation adopts a cushion-shaped case, with soft and smooth lines, giving it a contemporary, casual-chic character. Made of black PDV-coated stainless steel, which makes it more resistant to scratches, it measures 42 mm in diameter and 12.35 mm in thickness. The bezel has a sophisticated appeal and is crafted with expert craftsmanship. Bevelled and polished on the outer profile, it takes on the geometry of an octagon, accentuated on the lugs, while the upper surface is satin-finished. The lugs also boast polished/brushed surfaces that play with light reflections, as does the vertical grooves that adorn the case-band. Special attention was paid to the crown, which follows the case shape.
This precious new case, water-resistant to 5 atmospheres, is completed by the anti-reflective sapphire crystal on the dial and the case-back secured by 4 screws.
The new Turbine Urban Skeleton iterations come with a black calfskin strap fastened to the wrist by a black PVD steel folding clasp with stitching matching the colour of the indices.
The new dial makes its debut on the catwalk
Breaking the mould while remaining true to the "Turbine" product is not so obvious. The Turbine Urban Skeleton is the result of the proven expertise of the watchmaking team and the inexhaustible creativity of the Perrelet designers. A watch with well thought-out details that make it a captivating and trendy alternative, deserving to be part of a collection that has enjoyed worldwide success since its launch.
There are several new features that set this display apart from its close relatives. For the first time, the rotating turbine in black anodised aluminium, with five counterweights underneath, which allows it to rotate with the slightest movement of the wrist and to return to its resting position when the kinetic energy is exhausted, does not reveal the familiar sub-dial, but rather the exquisite movement that equips this timepiece. To make the calibre more visible, the number of blades has been reduced from 12 to 10. This arrangement leaves more space between them and thus a better view of the elements below. The faster the blades turn, the more the beauty of the new skeleton manufacture calibre is revealed, with its circular-grained bridges and refined finishes.
An absolute delight for lovers of fine mechanics, who can also admire the regulating organ, wheels and levers in action.
The hour track is also new. The raised hour-markers are fixed to the minute flange and are suspended towards the turbine, giving the impression that they are floating in mid-air. Their new shape features a central groove, reminiscent of the decoration on the case middle. They also glow in the dark thanks to Super-LumiNova® applied to the small square on each index. Available in electric blue, grass green or red, the indices become the elements that give each Turbine Urban Skeleton model its own identity. The hands have also been redesigned and are now slimmer. Profiled in black, they glow white in low light conditions to ensure excellent readability. The slender central seconds hand matches the shades of the indices, adding a touch of colour to a display dominated by the black Turbine.
The new P-331-SQ Skeleton self-winding calibre
Developed and manufactured 100% in-house by SOPROD, a sister company of Perrelet owned by the Spanish entrepreneur Miguel Rodriguez, to whom the brand also belongs, the newly developed P-331-SQ automatic movement powers the hour, minute and second functions.
Comprising 78 parts, this new calibre beats at a frequency of 4 Hz with 28,800 vibrations per hour and has a 42-hour power reserve when not worn on the wrist. It is a movement of proven precision and reliability, chronometer-certified by the prestigious Swiss independent institution: the COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres).
These creations are finished in accordance with the highest standards of Swiss watchmaking. The mainplate is rhodium-plated, and both the upper and lower surfaces are decorated with a 2 mm circular-graining pattern. The same finish is applied to the elegant skeleton bridges of the gear-train, balance-wheel and barrel. Last but not least, the open-worked oscillating weight bearing the Maison's logo has a snailed surface with a soleil finish on the outer edge and is embellished with the Côtes de Genève motif. Finally, to the delight of the most demanding connoisseurs, the precious decorations and the mechanism in action can be admired through the transparent sapphire crystal porthole on the case back.
