BORGEAUD SEPTAGRAPH PERPETUEL

Swiss watch brand BORGEAUD presents SEPTAGRAPH PERPETUEL, a mechanical complication watch based on traditional Indian calendar called Panchang.

Dating back 3000 years, Panchang is still followed by hundreds of millions of people around the world. It is divided into long eras, then in cycles of 60 years (like in 60 minutes), then in 12 lunar months, which are in turn divided into weeks of seven days, and days into 24 hours.

Indian astronomers/ mathematicians took these seven 24-hour periods and then divided
them again into two 12-hour periods, with a special period lasting from sunrise to sunset—conventionally fixed between 6 o’clock in the morning and 6 o’clock at night.

This 12-hour daytime period was then further divided into segments of 90 minutes. Among the day’s 90 minute periods, one is special, and they called it Rahu Kaal (the time of Rahu).

These temporal periods, judiciously arranged, correspond perfectly to the strategic periods of reflection, which are necessary in the daily whirlwind of time. They represent an essential step back, one too often ignored, by stressed executives during the day. These personal times are used for examining options or making choices and decisions, to avoid having to undo and redo what was badly designed or done in a hurry.

Now, for the first time ever, the Swiss watch brand BorgeauD has created a mechanical complication to remind us of these special daily moments. It is called the SEPTAGRAPH^TM.

A unique solution was found by BorgeauD, which designed and constructed a new, totally original, and patented watch complication, that it named the SEPTAGRAPH^TM (from the Latin ‘septua’ meaning ‘seven’ and the ancient Greek ‘graphein’ for ‘to write’). Over a weekly cycle, where each day has a different reserved time, the SEPTAGRAPH^TM activates a countdown mechanism that runs for 90 minutes.

The time of the specific time period—of this Strategic Period as BorgeauD calls it—varies from day to day, and is indicated in a counter placed between 6 o’clock and 9 o’clock. At midnight, the jumping hand of the counter automatically moves to the day that has just started.

Every day, at the appointed time for the activation of the Strategic Period, a large arrow positioned between 3 o’clock and 5 o’clock instantaneously fills with colour, thus signalling the beginning of the period and its countdown.

At the same time, a circle at the top of the arrow (engraved with an ‘SP’ for Strategic Period), also fills with colour. As the 90 minutes count down, the colour gradually leaves the arrow until it is again white after the period ends.

Up to now, there is no other complication comparable to the SEPTAGRAPH^TM in time keeping. It is not only a new indicator whose activation varies from day to day, but it is also original in that it does not signal a remaining energy level or time that has passed, but rather it shows the accumulated intimate time that we will give ourselves. This is not a time that closes behind us but rather a time that opens before us.

Movement

The automatic calibre, the BRG 13501, equips the 1358 model and has been developed, constructed and produced in-house by BorgeauD. Its architecture is different and more compact since the specific complication of the SEPTAGRAPH^TM display is totally integrated into the movement rather than designed as an additional module. This integration allows additional complications to be added without increasing the thickness of the calibre. This is the first step of a development that, in the years to come, will include other additional complications. The movement features a 53-hour power reserve and a date at 1 o’clock.

On a craftsmanship level, the daily indication of the “restored” portions of time required a particularly complex chronometric approach in that each eighth of a day never occurs in chronological order, as shown in the table below.

• Monday (Dedicated to the Moon) 2nd period: 07:30 a.m. – 09:00 a.m.
• Saturday (Dedicated to Saturn) 3rd period: 09:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
• Friday (Dedicated to Venus) 4th period: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
• Wednesday (Dedicated to Mercury) 5th period: 12:00 p.m. – 01:30 p.m.
• Thursday (Dedicated to Jupiter) 6th period: 01:30 p.m. – 03:00 p.m.
• Tuesday (Dedicated to Mars) 7th period: 03:00 p.m. – 04:30 p.m.
• Sunday (Dedicated to the Sun) 8th period: 04:30 p.m. – 06:00 p.m.

The entirely new complication, painstakingly perfected by the development team at Borgeaud, is exactly what forms the specificity of calibre BRG 11501. Two coaxial hands and a retrograde disc add the final touch to a mechanism set off to advantage by a sophisticated rotor with exclusive custom-made embellishments left open to view through the back of the timepiece.

Circular-grained by hand, chamfered bridges, gently sloping collars, elegantly engraved and polished by subtle means. Movement with automatic winding, 28,000 vibrations per minute, 25 rubies, 42 hour power reserve.

Special Counter
Situated between the indices 7 and 8, and covering the tip of each, the Septagraph Perpétuel counter comprises 2 time-telling features. The first indicates the day of the week, the second the 90-minute sequence relating thereto.

Time Reserve Indicator
Emptying itself of colour as the 90 “reserved” minutes tick away, like the top of an hourglass emptying itself of coloured sand, the time-keeping function peculiar to the Septagraph Perpétuel is accentuated by an elegantly stylised arrow. It is therefore easy, at a simple glance, to see that time is once again your own.

Dial

A multi-layered celebration of the consummate art of the dial maker, the Septagraph Perpétuel dial is composed of seven assembled pieces. With its exquisite relief work and alternating engraved or snailed sectors, it lends itself readily to the fluid telling of time.

While the genuine gold indices, hand-assembled by nimble-fingered master watch-makers, forge a subliminal dialogue between Roman and Arabic (in the case of the 7 and 8) numerals, the stamped initials “SP” (S for Septagraph and P for Perpétuel) enhance the overall sense of proportion.

The products of a dying art that requires exceptional dexterity, its elegant hands are manually polished and chamfered in a genuine work of craftsmanship.

Case

Measuring an impressive 46mm in diameter, the case of the Septagraph Perpétuel conveys a harmonious impression of wearability, bordering on weightlessness.

Surprisingly minimalist in depth, measuring a mere 12.4mm, it is blanked from a solid block of 18K pink gold or white gold and features horns delicately sloping towards the dial. The case is extended at three o’clock by a crown stamped, cabochon-style, in the centre with the monogram “B”.

Strap

Seamlessly marrying the shiny polished contours of the case, the crocodile-scale motif leather strap is tempered by the practical addition of an ardillon buckle, equally crafted in pink gold.

About Borgeaud Swiss Watches

Created in 2007, Borgeaud is a new brand in the world of Swiss watchmaking. Founded by Marc Aeschbacher and a few passionate entrepreneurial executives and shareholders, the brand wants to bring a new dimension in time.

Far from the ever more complicated displays of conventional time indicators, the brand is geared towards a real differentiating concept: the rhythm of life inspired by the Indian Panchang and followed by millions in India and growing throughout the world.

Borgeaud wants to bring Swiss Micromechanical Expertise in watchmaking, through its trademarked and patented SEPTAGRAPH^TM at the service of the Indian way of life.