Martian complication…

A third brand makes its Perpetuelle debut this week, this one a bit higher on the food chain.  A niche brand for deep-pocketed and adventurous collectors, Geneva-based Cyrus Watches has introduced the new Klepcys “Mars” watch, featuring the “Face on Mars” on the dial as well as a miniature construction of the entire planet.  It seems that having a handpainted “Red Planet” on the piece was not enough, though, as the spheroid on the Cyrus Klepcys actually rotates at its real-world sideral speed of 24 hours, 37 minutes and 22 seconds (time that it takes the planet to rotate once on its axis).  Of course the creation of such an out of world piece is not so easily done — in this case you will see the handiwork of not only the creative Cyrus team, but also that of Jean-François Mojon — most recently well known as the collaborator on the Harry Winston Opus X and otherwise esteemed watchmaker who runs Chronode SA.  There’s a lot to see here — follow along as I take a closer look at the limited edition Cyrus Klepcys Mars watch.

Actually there are two variations of the Klepcys Mars watch — 33 pieces in each of titanium or black DLC titanium.

On the right hand of the dial you see the spherical Mars display ( on the ‘original’ Klepcys it is a moon), and on the left you will see a very incredible reproduction of the “Face on Mars” — you may recognize the satellite imagery; it has intrigued astronomers and conspiracy theorists alike for decades now

The retrograde hour hand on the left side of the dial points points to the position where the minutes and seconds disks are read.   The hour hand rotates and changes color as time passes from day to night.  On the right hand of the dial we find the retrograde date and the spherical Mars display — (on the original Klepcys models it is a moon).  The ‘tens’ digit of the date moves in an arc to align with the proper digit to its right — again via rotation, the cube shows either a ’0′, ’1′, ’2′ or ’3′.

I think it is easiest to understand how the watch functions via this video which was produced by Cyrus:

Case is 48mm, crowns included.

Mars : Three-dimensional sphere, 7.6mm in diameter. The rotation of Mars is at the same speed as in the universe – 24 hours 37 minutes and 22 seconds. Hand-painted. Domed sapphire crystal.

Back of the case : 18mm diameter medallion in 18K red gold on the back of the timepiece. Engraved by hand. Inspired by the stater coin of Cyrus, this medallion depicts Cyrus on a winged horse setting off to conquer the planet Mars.

While I certainly admire and appreciate the intricate mechanics as well as the “Mars” element, for me this watch really comes down to being one of those “we built it because we can” and “I own it because I can afford it” kind of watches.   How about you?  Feel free to comment below.

Quick Info on Cyrus Watches

Founded in summer of 2010, Geneva-based Cyrus Watches made its public debut the Geneva Time Exhibition (GTE) 2011.  The brand is small and independent — founded and led by cousins Julien and Laurent Lecamp.  Their first watch was the “Kuros”, a massive and aggressively styled two button chronograph, priced around 10,000 Swiss Francs; the look of this collection did not really appeal to me. Their second collection, the Klepcys is quite a more ambitions effort for the brand.   All Kuros and Klepcys pieces are limited edition, but unlike the Kuros at around 10,000 Swiss Francs and up, the Klepcys is priced at 100,000 – 150,000 Swiss Francs due to the intricate mechanics and complications described above.

http://www.cyrus-watches.ch/en/

Did You Know? 

The story of Cyrus

Cyrus (Cyrus The Great) was the founder of the great Achaemenid Persian Empire (550-330 BC).  This empire, during several years, conquered most of Southwest Asia, Central Asia, Europe and Caucasus. Cyrus The Great created the largest empire ever seen.  Cyrus respected the customs and religions of the countries he conquered. The centralized government worked for the advantage and profits and the subjects.

According to Cyrus Watches, it was in 539 B.C Babylon the Great was conquered by Cyrus the Great. After looking at the legendary city walls and the Ziggurat (a 91 meters high tower located in the center of Babylon, then considered a gateway between Heaven and Earth), Cyrus pointed his finger towards Mars and said to his general Harpagus : “That will be our next conquest .”  More than 2,500 years later, the Viking 1 probe made an outstanding discovery on Mars. A series of pictures showed a human face, more than 3 kilometers long in the Cydonia Region. This human face has raised many questions in the scientific world and till today they are not answered.