BYRNE is a new independent Swiss watch company co-founded by John Byrne and his wife Claire. During the Geneva Watch Days 2022, the brand unveiled its debut timepiece, the Byrne GyroDial.
The most eye-catching feature of this Swiss made mechanical watch is a patented animation complication. Every midnight, or at whim, the four cardinal hour markers (3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock) change their appearance in a flash.
It took 3 years of research and development to develop this playful mechanism, which evokes a ballet performance. Equipped with an exclusive caliber, the GyroDial watch offers four looks. Arabic numerals, Roman symbols, special characters or designs –each index is displayed on the face of a flush-mounted rotating block. The jump from one display to the next is instantaneous. Byrne also offers the possibility of customising the faces of each rotating block, as well as the case material.
Powering this extraordinary animation, the Calibre 5555 was entirely designed, developed and manufactured in Switzerland for the GyroDial. Produced by Le Temps Manufacture in Fleurier, this self-winding movement offers 60 hours of power reserve.
With its long, supple curves of titanium, the dial and its straight grain satin finish presents a distinctive contemporary and sleek aesthetic.
Entirely designed, developed and manufactured in Switzerland, the grade 5 titanium case stands out with taut, modern lines. Designed by John Byrne, it measures 41.7 mm in diameter and 14.8 mm in thickness. The bezel, slim and clean-cut, effectively counterbalances the impression of thickness.
The case middle is satin-finished whilst the upper part of the case, between the case middle and the bezel, is entirely polished. The case has a slender, taut profile, with outward-reaching lugs flowing in line with the case middle. The ergonomic design ensures perfect comfort.
The GyroDial watch is supplied with a leather or rubber strap. Hand-crafted by the specialised workshop of Jean Rousseau and entirely to Byrne’s specifications, the strap is either saddle-stitched rubber or alligator, the latter with large scales. It contains two rigid inserts, placed in an interlining as close as possible to the lug width.
In Switzerland, the Byrne Gyrodial watch price is approximately 16,000 CHF.
Technical details
Model: BYRNE GYRODIAL
Movement
Calibre 5555, mechanical self-winding
Finishes: Plate and bridges in nickel silver, satin-finished and rhodium-plated, straight grain satin finish, offset Côtes de Genève, chamfering and finishing by hand
Components: 261
Jewels: 42
Diameter: 30.00 mm
Thickness: 8.00 mm
Power reserve: 60 hours
Frequency: 4 Hz / 28,800 vph
Functions
Hours, minutes
Changing cardinal indices with an instantaneous switch every day at midnight or at will.
Case
Material: Grade 5 titanium
Diameter: 41.7 mm
Thickness: 14.8 mm
Crystal: Sapphire box, double-sided antireflective coating
Case back: Sapphire box, antireflective coating
Water resistance: 5 ATM, equivalent to 50 metres
Dial
Black or galvanic blue
Straight grain satin finish, hollow embossed indices
Windows at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock
Strap
Rubber or alligator (large scales), choice of colour, bespoke curved inserts
Grade 5 titanium buckle
Retail price
16,000 CHF / 16,000 Euros (excluding VAT)
