FRANC VILA FVa Nº Cuatro Tourbillon Chronograph SuperLigero Concept
FRANC VILA unveiled in Baselworld 2009 a new tourbillon watch in which nanotechnology, state of the art engineering and inspiration from nature come together: FVa Nº Cuatro Tourbillon Chronograph SuperLigero Concept.
The brand goes a step further with the evolution of their successful FVa Nº Cuatro chronograph tourbillon bringing it into the SuperLigero concept which debuted in 2008 with the introduction of the FVa Nº 6 SuperLigero Concept. The new movement beating inside this watch has also been built in Lightnium, an aluminium-lithium based alloy used in state of the art aeronautical engineering. Its main characteristics are lightness combined with hightensile strength, allowing structural weight reduction and an increase in the elastic modulus. These characteristics allow for the development of very robust movements. While light and with low density, it is rigid enough to stand up to the stresses of the gear train, barrel and tourbillon which ensures perfect performance. The lightness of this new material also means that the movement is less affected by inertial forces.
Furthermore, the structure of the bridges of the movement have been inspired by the molecular structure of graphene, a recently discovered material, which being just one atom thick, is six times less dense and can be from 10 to 100 times stronger than the best steel. The hexagonal disposition of the atoms in this material, far stronger that the four links per atom of diamonds, gives it these characteristics. This structure is so strong that could be used to build a space lift, as it is the only known material able to support its own weight infinitely. In the quest for an extremely light, sporty, shock and stress resistant movement, FRANC VILA has brought the advances of nanotechnology to the new FVa Nº Cuatro Chronograph Tourbillon SuperLigero Concept, translating the hexagonal nanostructure of graphene to the microworld of Haute Horlogerie.
The FVa Nº Cuatro Chronograph Tourbillon SuperLigero Concept encompasses all the innovations already present in the FVa Nº Cuatro, such as its column wheel monopusher chronograph directly coupled to the tourbillon cage. The mechanism in charge of the chronograph function in the movement is disposed in the dial side, a highly complicated structure which gives the movement a stunning visual appearance in the front view, where the action of the movement is perfectly visible with every push of the chronograph button. In the back view, the hexagonal structure of the movement is reminiscent of the world of motorsport and of natural structures which have inspired architecture for decades. This completes the image of a new SuperLigero timepiece destined to be a milestone in Haute Horlogerie.
Technically, the movement has five days of reserve power. Its regulatory organ is a flying tourbillon equipped with the “Inertial Moment Control” technology, which constantly and precisely regulates the tourbillon. The “Wheels Differential System” allows a fast winding function effectively reducing by two thirds the number of turns of the crown needed to wind the watch.
Once again Franc Vila makes use of his multi-discipline background to place HighEnd watchmaking on the crossroads of state of the art technology, craftmanship and advanced engineering with the introduction of FVa Nº Cuatro Tourbillon Chronograph SuperLigero Concept.
Technical details
Case
DieHard Extreme Steel
Special “Esprit Unique” shape with elliptic and circular bezel
Crystal and caseback both in sapphire with double sided antiglare treatment
Chronograph monopusher at 2
Movement
FV Nº Cuatro SuperLigero caliber
262 components
33 rubies
5 days power reserve (120 hours)
Chronograph monopushing function with dial side column wheel, directly coupled to tourbillon
Flying tourbillon with “Inertial Moment Control” mechanism and “Wheels Differential System”
Mechanism manufactured in the brand’s characteristic “Esprit Unique” shape, handmade and hand-decorated
Functions
Hours, Minutes, Chronograph monopusher and power reserve indication
Dial
60 seconds (at 2’) and 30 minutes (at 10’) chronograph counters
Power reserve indication at 9’
Edition
Ultra-limited edition 8 pieces
