Manufacture Royale 1770 Flying Tourbillon
As a tribute to the year Voltaire established his prestigious horology firm in Switzerland, the luxury watch brand Manufacture Royale launches 1770, an exceptional mechanical timepiece integrated with an in-house developed flying tourbillon.
An illustrious figure of the Enlightenment as well as an entrepreneur, Voltaire established his Manufacture Royale in 1770, close to Geneva. The new 1770 brings together this visionary spirit with its hallmark of excellence, and modern watchmaking with its respect for tradition. Wholly manufactured in Switzerland, this collector’s piece highlights the traditional expertise of a centuries-old mechanical art.
Since its creation, Manufacture Royale has devised, produced and decorated all its movements in the finest Swiss watchmaking tradition. The new MR03 calibre which powers 1770 showcases one of watch-making’s most refined technical sophistications: the flying tourbillon.
The flying tourbillon, which makes one revolution in 60 seconds, is positioned asymmetrically at 7 o’clock. This unconventional choice creates a unique visual tension that gives the watch all its personality.
In addition to hours and minutes, the 1770 incorporates a power-reserve indicator for autonomy of 108 hours or four and a half days. Comprising 208 parts, the MR03 is hand-wound. The calibre also incorporates a screwed balance and a flat balance spring.
Manufacture Royale also cultivates the art of haute horlogerie through the care devoted to the finishing and decorating of each individual component by hand. This is expressed in the MR03 by the fine-sandblasted bridges and mainplate, which are also hand-chamfered and black-polished with satin or perlage finish, and by straight-grained flanks on the inside and outside.
The back of the movement is embellished with Côtes de Genève decoration achieved by hand and measure 2.4mm wide. Whereas previous collections by Manufacture Royale intentionally left the movement in full view, here it is entirely covered by the dial with just an opening at 7o’clock through which to admire the pulsations of the flying tourbillon.
Opaline silvered or anthracite, depending on the version, it is circled by hour markers which have been diamond-polished by hand. The centre of the dial is purposely free from embellishment or inscription so that its colour and texture can be fully appreciated. “Manufacture Royale” is engraved in capital letters around the flying tourbillon together with the name of the collection, “1770”.
A second iteration proposes an open-worked, slate-coloured dial with different forms. More striking, its various levels lend a bolder technical dimension and offer glimpses of the movement. The sword-shaped hands are partly satin-finished and partly polished for easy legibility.
Manufacture Royale is also known for the complexity and immediately identifiable design of its watches’ exteriors. Comprising a great many carefully executed and hand-finished parts, they are constructed in accordance with a pre-defined principle: the movement is housed inside a case, which in turn is contained in a sometimes mobile structure.
A hallmark of Manufacture Royale, this principle is captured in its essence by the 1770. Two beautifully proportioned brancards hug the case. Secured by functional, visible screws, they extend beyond it, then gently curve to form the lugs.
The eye is drawn along a succession of smooth curves, beginning with the domed crystal that protects the dial, whose gadrooned bezel delicately overflows to form a rim. Embodied by the bran cards, the case middle shows rounded flanks. The crown is polished with the initials “MR” engraved in its centre.
The case back is entirely open to reveal the splendour of the movement. Alternating polished, straight-grained and satin finishes, the exterior of the 1770 watch is a consummate example of Swiss haute horlogerie in both its aesthetic, imagined by the acclaimed watch designer Eric Giroud, and the flawless crafting and finishing of its parts. Made from 20 separate elements, the case measures 43 mm in diameter.
The 1770 watch in steel comes with an anthracite or open-worked, slate-coloured dial while the rose gold case is matched with an opaline silvered dial. All versions are proposed with an alligator strap with alligator lining and a pin buckle fastening.
Technical details
Model: Manufacture Royale 1770 Flying Tourbillon
References
Steel, anthracite dial: 177043.01P.A
Steel, open-worked slate-coloured dial: 177043.01P.S
18 ct Rose gold: 177043.08P.O
Movement
Mechanical hand-wound
Dimensions: 30.9 mm diameter
Number of parts: 208
Number of jewels: 19
Power reserve: 108 hours
Frequency: 3Hz, 21,600 vibrations/hour
Plate and bridges: Entirely hand-decorated: straight-grained, black-polished, chamfered and perlage
Mainplate with Côtes de Genève, 5N engraving
Tourbillon: Silicon escape wheel and pallet fork; One rotation/minute
Functions: Hours, minutes, power reserve
Balance spring: Flat
Balance: Screwed
Case
Stainless steel/18k rose gold
Dimensions: 43 mm diameter / 11.72 mm high
Number of parts: 20
Crown: MR logo, sanded, hand-polished
Dials
177043.01P.A: Anthracite
177043.01P.S: Slate, open-worked
177043.08P.O: Opaline silvered
Hour markers, diamond-polished by hand
Aperture at 7 o’clock
Power-reserve indicator at 10 o’clock
Strap
Alligator, alligator lining, hand-rolled edges
Buckle: Pin, hand-polished
