KERBEDANZ Polvs Arcticus, Double Tourbillon GMT
A singular novelty at Baselworld in 2016, the Polvs Arcticus, an exceptional timekeeper, is powered by a double tourbillon GMT caliber. Two miniature spheres celebrate the scientists and explorers of the past and offer a view of astronomy, maritime horizons and technical feats.
Homage to the great maritime exploits KERBEDANZ has always been always enamored with collective symbols and has always found a way to slip them into each of its watches, turning them into initiation paths ideal for ultra-personalization. And now, the brand is taking its aficionados on a journey to the days of the great explorers. The Polvs Arcticus, a Latin name that reminds one of the makers of maritime instruments of old, does carry an emotional and artistic charge dedicated to the mythical days of global adventures. And once again, through references and discreet allusions, the brand goes beyond its motto “giving sense to beauty.”
This watch’s incredible feats of miniaturization turn it into a genuine work of art. At the micromechanical level, it represents a very thoroughly thought-out bit of chronometric science, because inside beats the double tourbillon GMT KRB-07 caliber. It’s a manually-wound movement composed of 341 parts, conceived, manufactured and decorated by KERBEDANZ in collaboration with the watch movement maker Concepto. It boasts a northern and southern tourbillon with microscopic cages made up of 80 components each and covered by two hemispheres. The beauty of the finishing, particularly the beveling and the different polishes that master watchmakers are so fond of, can be admired through the sapphire crystal at the back of the pure 18-karat white-gold, 50 millimeter case.
On the dial, the decorations and finishing includes motifs related to seafaring. One can make out the subtle contours of a navigation compass of an ancient galleon. The two hemispheres provide support for very meticulously worked reliefs. In fact and this is an incredible technical prowess – the one covering the northern tourbillon is a mere 0.1 millimeters thick.
The northern hemisphere of Earth seen from the pole emerges from a blue, translucent backdrop in grand feu enamel, with the visible parts of the continents carved out of gold. The total thickness, including the reliefs, does not surpass 0.3 millimeters.
On the southern hemisphere, we see an astrolabe made of pure gold and representing the celestial sphere. The key to this particular achievement lies in the faithful representation of the astrolabe, an ancient instrument that had a number of different functions, notably to determine precisely the time the sun would rise and set, or when a celestial body would pass over the meridian. These data were very handy for determining one’s position at sea. Ancient Greek navigators already knew how to use this instrument. Islamic scientists of the 15th and 16th centuries went on to perfect its functionality.
Technical details
Polvs Arcticus
Limited edition: Unique piece
Movement
Double tourbillon GMT, manually-wound KRB-07 mechanical caliber, conceived, manufactured and decorated by KERBEDANZ and Concepto.
46 jewels, 21,600 vph (3Hz), 72 hours power reserve. 341 components, each tourbillon cage weighs 0.42 grams and is made up of 80 parts.
Functions
Hours, minutes, GMT with hours and minutes, double tourbillon
Case
18-karat white gold, 50 millimeters’ diameter, set with 80 diamonds totaling 6.72 carats
Designed and manufactured by KERBEDANZ
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal on front and back
Water-resistant to 5 atmospheres (50 meters)
Crown located at the east, at 3 o’clock
Dial
Sculpted gold
Technical feat: the northern hemisphere was conceived on a backdrop of translucent grand feu enamel with a thickness of 0.1 millimeters and features the northern hemisphere in gold relief for a total thickness of 0.3 millimeters. The southern hemisphere represents an astrolabe in pure gold. Exclusively conceived, manufactured, enameled, hand set and decorated by KERBEDANZ
Strap
Alligator mississipiensis leather, double folding clasp with KERBEDANZ personalization in 18-karat gold
