Wyler Geneve GMT – The World’s First Carbon-Neutral Watch
Building on the success of its shock-absorbing case launched in chronograph and tourbillon versions at last year’s Baselworld Show, for 2008 Wyler Genève presents a new GMT model that is the first watch in the world to be certified CarbonNeutral®.
The new Wyler Genève GMT watch uses the brand’s unique anti-shock case design in which the movement is sealed in a titanium container held in place by a carbon-fibre resin frame fixed between two metal plates. The four polished titanium screws holding this construction in place are mounted on springs, allowing the movement holder to move up and down within the frame and therefore absorb shocks. A patented crown protector, which is attached directly to the carbon-fibre frame and must be opened on both sides, offers additional protection for the watch’s time-setting mechanism.
The Wyler Genève GMT is powered by the industry-standard ETA caliber 2893-2, which operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz) and has a 42-hour power reserve. It displays the time with hour, minute and sweep seconds hands. An additional hand with a luminous arrowhead tip mounted on the central axis makes one full revolution every 24 hours and can therefore be used to read a second time zone, or indeed Universal Time (UT) or GMT off the inner 24-hour scale on the dial – hence the name of the watch.
A choice of 18-carat red gold or stainless steel in combination with classic and modern dials offers two distinct looks for the new Wyler Genève GMT: The luxury of gold is accentuated by classic black or blue dials with redgold hour markers; the stainless-steel models offer a sportier look with dials in black with rhodium hour markers and a choice of white or orange SuperLuminova for the luminous dots on the 5-minute markings, the 24-hour scale and the GMT hand, or an eggshell-coloured dial with ruthenium hour markers. A final touch of luxury is provided by the individually applied letters of the Wyler name at 12 o’clock on the dial.
The dial is divided into three concentric zones, with an applied outer minute track, a middle zone housing the baguette hour markers and an inner zone displaying the 24-hour scale. A sectorial date window in applique at 6 o’clock shows part of the previous and next dates to avoid any confusion. The facetted hour and minute hands are skeletonised and have SuperLuminova inserts for better low-light visibility.
All models are initially available with a natural black rubber strap (with blue alligator leather also available for the 18-carat gold model with blue dial) featuring the signature Wyler Genève pattern and a matching buckle in 18-carat red gold or stainless steel. Other strap varieties and a new foldover clasp will become available as the models are rolled out into stores.
Like all Wyler Genève timepieces, the GMT model has a two-year international warranty and the inner movement case is water-resistant to 50 metres.
