Introduced in 2013, the Inversion Principle by Fonderie 47 is a very exclusive haute horlogerie timepiece that incorporates a plate on the back made from the transformed steel of a destroyed assault weapon.
The elements and mechanisms of this wrist watch subtly evoke and discreetly feature key attributes of the AK47.
Inversion Principle is a completely original timepiece designed by Adrian Glessing and developed and produced by David Candaux/Du Val Des Bois exclusively for Fonderie 47. Revenues from the sale of each timepiece will be used fund the destruction of one thousand assault weapons in Africa, creating a safer environment for aid and development.
The Inversion Principle timepiece is now available in a Red Gold version. Inversion Principle Red Gold features a central three-minute flying tourbillion; instantaneous jumping hours with quick-set pusher; 240° retrograde minutes; lateral and back power reserve indicators; 18k red gold case; and ratchet wheel plated with transformed steel from a destroyed AK47.
Revenues from the sale of each Inversion Principle Red Gold will be used to fund the destruction of 1,000 assault weapons in Africa, creating a safer environment for aid and development.
Orbiting high above the movement, the central 3-minute flying tourbillon dominates the three-dimensional dial and mesmerizes the eye. Three second-hands, spaced 120° apart around the tourbillon cage, arc sedately across the seconds-scale above the tourbillon and Fonderie 47 name: ‘Sedately’ because the tourbillon revolves at just one third the speed of a traditional one-minute tourbillon.
Only one second-hand is visible at any time; the other two are hidden under the gold rifle-sight-inspired frame set into the sapphire crystal, their existence hinted at by blued screws joining the outer tourbillon cage and inner three-arm hub. A first glance is unlikely to divulge any obvious similarity between the jumping hours, retrograde seconds and an AK47. However, avoiding blatant connections is the aim.
On a more kinetic level, however, gun mechanisms snap sharply and precisely into place, as does the instantaneous jumping hour at 12 o’clock as it changes the hour, as well as the large 240° retrograde seconds hand as it flies back to zero each hour across the bottom of the dial. Each press of the quick-set pusher in the crown advances the jumping hours by one hour.
The long 6-day power reserve has both a lateral indication via a sapphire window set into the left side of the case band and a second indication visible through the display back.The display back reveals the stunning sunray guilloche pattern radiating out from the ratchet wheel, which is capped by a dark plate of transformed steel from a destroyed AK47.
The plate is in the form of the Fonderie 47 brand symbol and rotates as the watch is wound. 56-3701F42, the serial number of the destroyed weapon the metal is from, is elegantly hand engraved beside the plate.
Inversion Principle Red Gold is a limited edition of 10 pieces in red gold.
Technical details
Model: Fonderie 47 Inversion Principle Red Gold Limited Edition
Key features
Central three-minute flying tourbillon; instantaneous jumping hours; 240° retrograde minutes; central seconds from tourbillon cage; crown pusher quick-set hour adjustment; six-day power reserve with both lateral and back indications; metal from transformed assault weapon.
Indications
Jumping hours, 240° retrograde minutes; central seconds on tourbillon cage; lateral power reserve indicator on case band and power reserve indicator on back
Case and strap
Material: 18k red gold (also available in 18k white gold version)
Sapphire crystal traversed by embedded gold bezel bridge framing tourbillon cage
Lateral sapphire window in case band for power reserve indicator
Dimensions: 42mm x 14.6mm
Water resistance: 30m/100’/3ATM
Dial: Translucent glass and sapphire crystal with enameled minutes and seconds
Strap and clasp: hand stitched alligator strap with gold pin buckle matching case. Brown leather with red gold case or black leather with white gold case
Movement
Caliber F47-001
Regulator: Central three-minute flying tourbillon
Tourbillon cage: gold counter weight and curved to follow sapphire crystal
Jumping hour: thin mechanism(patented)
Retrograde seconds: mechanism with light aluminum arm and precision regulator
LIGA plate: platform for tourbillon and fixed seconds wheel by Mimotech
Power reserve: six days
Balance frequency: 18,000bph (2.5Hz)
Balance spring: Breguet overcoil and distinctive balance spring stud
Jewels: 38
Steel plate from transformed AK47 − serial number’56-3701F42′ − in form of Fonderie 47 brand symbolon ratchet wheel visible through display back.
Finishing: Sun ray guilloche; hand engraving; hand polished bevels; heat-blued screws and power reserve indicator on back.
