Switzerland based Kross Studio presents new KS 05 Timepiece Collection, offering high luxury wristwatches incorporating the world’s first central floating tourbillon.
The new KS 05 collection marks two significant firsts for Kross Studio. Firstly, it is the first collection issued solely by design studio outside of any partnerships or collaborations. Secondly, its central floating tourbillon movement is a world-premier complication.
Each Kross Studio KS 05 watch houses the caliber KS 7’005, a striking and uniquely constructed manual-winding central floating tourbillon movement.
Comprising 220 components and 27 jewels, this movement operates at a frequency of 21,600 bph (beats per hour), or 3 Hz, and boasts a power reserve of 120 hours or 5 days, ensuring optimal accuracy and longevity.
The diameter of the barrel, wider than the watch’s radius, is placed on the central axis of the movement and the tourbillon sits atop it, offering a sublime view of its intricate mechanics. The barrel, the tourbillon cage, and the balance wheel are all co-axial, ensuring smooth operation.
The floating tourbillon mechanism showcases a cage crafted from grade 5 titanium, chosen for its high strength and light weight. The result is an ultra-lightweight tourbillon cage that weighs a mere 0.488g.
The time display mechanism operates peripherally, working around the barrel and the tourbillon mechanism. The peripheral display orbits 360 degrees around the tourbillon, and the reduction ratio between the hour and minute is achieved through a planetary system mounted on two ceramic ball bearings.
The case is made from Grade 5 titanium, a bio-compatible material that surpasses stainless steel in terms of strength and durability, underlining Kross Studio’s commitment to using the most advanced materials in the industry.
Devoid of lugs or edges, the KS 05 case exhibits a sleek, seamless, and ergonomically optimized profile. Instead of a visible crown at 3 o’clock, Kross Studio opted for a clever D-ring crown integrated into the case back, which enables winding and time adjustments without disrupting the watch’s clean lines.
Moreover, the case incorporates a one-click interchangeable strap system, hidden on the case back, which allows the wearer to swap and update their watch strap with ease. The minimalist design of the case drives all focus to the watch’s heart – its movement – demonstrating the Kross Studio ethos of placing engineering and craftsmanship at the forefront of its designs.
The domed crystal of the KS 05 provides an unobstructed, panoramic view of the watch’s inner workings. Its oversized diameter allows the viewer to appreciate the full breadth and complexity of the meticulously crafted movement and the dial rehaut from all angles.
The domed crystal receives an anti-reflective coating on both its exterior and interior, and Kross Studio also applied anti-UV and anti-static treatments to the crystal interior.
The KS 05 collection offers a trio of striking and precious dial variations. Each is composed of several elegant and functional outer and inner sub dials. The dials of the KS 05 collection are crafted from black or blue aventurine glass or natural stones including turquoise, jade, and obsidian, among others.
The outer dial is affixed directly onto the case. It carries the time markings and indices, designed here by Kross to promote a highly legible, instant reading of the time at a glance. Its design and position offer a seamless aesthetic transition from the case to the watch’s interior, drawing the eye towards its groundbreaking central floating tourbillon.
The intermediate dial is mounted on top of the movement, specifically on the fixed hour wheel. It serves as a harmonious bridge between the outer dial and the heart of the watch.
The inner dial, designed with an opening at 9 o’clock, is fixed onto the main plate of the movement. Positioned beneath the floating tourbillon and the time display mechanism, this innovative dial design allows a clear view onto the gear train and sets a captivating backdrop for the tourbillon, adding depth and setting a visual stage to display the watch’s meticulous engineering.
The meticulous attention to detail extends to the case design crafted from Grade 5 titanium or a stunning 18 karat red gold edition, showcasing a seamless blend of aesthetic appeal and functionality. Both titanium and gold iterations can be fully adorned with 281 pavé-set D-F VVS1 diamonds, adding up to approximately 5.09 carats.
Each variant is restricted to 10 numbered pieces. The KS 05 collection is now available for purchase at kross-studio.com, through official partners, and at select authorized retailers.
