Sometimes, even the fingers of one hand are more than you need. For their second collaboration, Kross Studio and Chronopassion are offering a one-of-a-kind watch that has been custom-made by the Geneva-based studio for the famed Parisian retailer.
A tourbillon like no other
Following on from the KS 05 with meteorite dial - released in 2023 and numbered 01/01 -, the two partners are back with another pièce unique, the KS 06. This new model introduces a 42mm diameter (compared with the 45mm of the KS 05), and while case and movement have been optimised for this new size, the watch’s technical attributes are unchanged, namely the magnificent and majestic central floating tourbillon, complete with an exceptional five-day power reserve. Nor is this simply an object of great beauty. Chronometric performance is such that the KS 06 is one of the very few tourbillons on the market to have COSC certification.
Shared inspirations
“Laurent Picciotto’s idea of exploring an American Indian inspiration appealed to us, too,” Kross Studio explain. “This led us to choose silver for the laser-engraved bezel, whose design is specific to this model. This is the first time Kross Studio has worked with silver, whose softness makes it more difficult to machine. We also chose turquoise for the dial ring. We’ve developed substantial expertise in mineral dials, but stone remains a natural material and every fragment has its own characteristics, inclusions and resistance. Achieving such a degree of precision is never a foregone conclusion. People often imagine we just have to cut a round shape out of a piece of stone but it’s not that simple. It takes considerable dexterity. Many times in the past, when working with turquoise we’ve had to cut four dials in order to get one that is absolutely perfect and meets tolerances.”
The king of optimisation...without a crown
As always at Kross Studio, the movement (220 components) is designed and assembled in-house. The peripheral hour display, driven by a planetary gear system mounted on two ball bearings, allows a fascinating and unobstructed view of the tourbillon. Similarly, there is no crown to interrupt the clean line of the case. Instead, this unique watch is wound from the back by pressing a finger on the sapphire crystal while rotating the winding ring. This system engages directly with the barrel and is therefore more efficient.
The KS 06 Chronopassion in polished and satin-brushed grade 5 titanium retails at EUR 122,500, which is the same price as the KS 05 Chronopassion with meteorite dial from 2023. It’s a nice gesture and one that deserves a thumbs-up with both hands!
