LEDERER Triple Certified Observatory Chronometer has been awarded the prestigious GPHG Chronometry Prize 2024 – which makes it the perfect choice for the most important moment of the start of the new year! I dare you to find a more proper watch to measure perfectly the passage of midnight. Besides the precision certified by three different laboratories, this watch looks amazing – maybe a bit to large to enter the dress watch category, but with this look and achievement who is counting millimetres? So let’s have a look at one of the most important watches of this year (please be advised that this is the prototype). Plus a small(er) surprise.
Introduction to LEDERER Watches and Bernard Lederer
Based in Saint-Blaise, Switzerland, LEDERER Watches epitomizes the fusion of tradition and modernity. Known for their in-house manufacturing capabilities, the brand embodies a relentless pursuit of precision, elegance, and innovation. This ethos culminates in the remarkable LEDERER Triple Certified Observatory Chronometer, a testament to both Lederer’s vision and his brand’s extraordinary horological acumen.
Bernard Lederer is a revered name in the horological world, synonymous with innovation, precision, and artistry. As a master watchmaker, he has spent decades honing his craft, blending traditional techniques with groundbreaking innovations to redefine the boundaries of mechanical watchmaking.
Born with an innate curiosity for mechanics, Lederer was drawn to the intricacies of timekeeping at an early age. His passion led him to pursue formal training in watchmaking, where he mastered the classical principles of the craft. However, it was his relentless drive to innovate that set him apart. Inspired by the pioneering works of horological greats like Abraham-Louis Breguet, John Harrison and George Daniels, Lederer embarked on a journey to create timepieces that not only measured time but celebrated it. I might say a bit obsessed (to be read as: with a tremendous passion) with improving the traditional escapements he managed to dramatically reduce the friction inside the escapement by actively changing the angles on which various mechanical parts interact with each other and achieving not only improved precision but also efficacy. His comprehension of escapement’s mechanics makes him one of the most important innovators of our time.
The Observatory Chronometer is no ordinary timepiece; it carries certifications from three prestigious institutions, the Observatories of Glashütte, Besançon, and Geneva, underscoring its unparalleled precision and craftsmanship. It is a chronometric triumph, blending centuries-old traditions with cutting-edge technology.
Elegance in simplicity
The case of the LEDERER Triple Certified Observatory Chronometer is a masterclass in design and functionality. Crafted from 904L stainless steel, renowned for its exceptional corrosion resistance and radiant lustre, it exudes a robust yet sophisticated aesthetic. The polished finish elevates its visual appeal, catching the light with a refined elegance that only the highest quality materials can achieve.
Measuring 44mm in diameter and a mere 12.2mm in thickness, the case achieves a perfect balance of presence and wearability. The open sapphire crystal case back, treated with an anti-reflective coating, provides a captivating view of the intricately finished movement. With a water resistance of 3 ATM, the watch is built to withstand the rigours of daily life, while remaining an artistic expression of horological mastery.
The purity of silver highlighted in a traditional way
The dial of the Observatory Chronometer is a canvas of understated luxury. It is crafted in-house from solid sterling silver using a 19th-century traditional process, achieving a pure white finish reminiscent of freshly fallen snow. This refined backdrop hosts a meticulously arranged set of features that reflect both functionality and artistic brilliance.
A unique scale on the dial divides each minute into six intervals, corresponding to the remontoire d’égalité’s 10-second rhythm. This ingenious system not only enhances precision but also offers a dynamic visual experience as the minute hand advances in synchronized steps. At its core, the dial features the iconic “V” motif, a nod to meridian lines and a tribute to chronometric excellence.
The seconds sub-dial includes engraved geographical coordinates of the three observatories that certified the watch: the Observatory in Glashütte, Germany; the Observatory in Besancon, France; and the Observatory Chronométrique in Geneva, Switzerland. These subtle details invite collectors to discover the layers of meaning embedded within this masterpiece.
Calibre 9012 – Patented Lederer Chronometer Escapement
At the heart of the LEDERER Observatory Chronometer lies the Calibre 9012, a marvel of mechanical engineering and artistry. This manual-winding movement comprises 210 meticulously crafted components and operates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz). Its standout feature is the patented Double Wheel Escapement with Central Impulses (CIC), a groundbreaking innovation that enhances energy efficiency and precision.
The movement boasts two independent gear trains, each powered by its own barrel, ensuring consistent power delivery. These gear trains operate in harmony with two constant-force mechanisms and two independent escapement wheels, a feat of engineering rarely seen in modern watchmaking.
Every component of the movement is hand-finished to perfection, featuring satin finishing, bead blasting, polished bevels, and mirror-polished steel parts. The dedication to craftsmanship extends to the finest details, such as the inner and outer angles, showcasing the artistry of LEDERER’s master watchmakers.
With a power reserve of at least 38 hours, the movement is as practical as it is beautiful, embodying the ideal balance between form and function.
Not just precision for the sake of precision
The LEDERER Triple Certified Observatory Chronometer is a symbol of horological excellence. Its precision, an average deviation of just 0.18 seconds per day validated by three independent observatories, sets a new benchmark in timekeeping. The innovative movement, intricate craftsmanship, and thoughtful design elements make it a masterpiece that honours the legacy of chronometry while pushing the boundaries of modern watchmaking.
Bernard Lederer has created not just a timepiece, but an enduring legacy—a beacon of what is possible when passion, artistry, and technical prowess converge. The Observatory Chronometer is a collector’s dream, a connoisseur’s delight, and a landmark achievement in the ever-evolving world of haute horlogerie. And it look so good on the wrist….
But if one still desires a smaller watch for the most important night of the year, LEDERER also launched a smaller size of the CIC in only 39mm. Let’s have a short look at this below:
Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer 39mm: Precision Perfected in Smaller Size
The Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer 39mm redefines modern horology, blending unparalleled technical ingenuity with elegant minimalism. Reduced from its original 44mm case to a contemporary 39mm, this watch is an engineering marvel, with a thinner movement and refined mechanisms that underscore Lederer’s relentless pursuit of excellence.
Visually, the Central Impulse Chronometer stuns with its three-dimensional dial architecture. The raised numerals and harmonious interplay between the counters showcase Lederer’s mastery of aesthetics and functionality. Available in rose gold with a grey dial or white gold with a blue dial, the CIC 39mm epitomizes timeless sophistication. Presented here is a blue dial bespoke piece created for a happy collector with a personalised pattern dial.
The pièce de résistance lies in its dual constant-force escapements, each operating independently to ensure unmatched precision. Synchronizing two seconds hands in perfect harmony is not just a technical feat but an artistic statement that echoes Lederer’s commitment to innovation. The reimagined detent mechanism within the constant-force remontoirs further enhances reliability, delivering smoother energy flow to the escapements.
A true labour of love, this masterpiece required overhauling every component to achieve optimal proportions and flawless performance. The result is a watch that not only honours traditional watchmaking but pushes its boundaries, making the Central Impulse Chronometer 39mm a collector’s dream.
Please find more information about the Central Impulse Chronometer and its continuous evolution in these reviews and articles:
- Showcasing the Bernhard Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer
- Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer – a micrometric change in mechanics, a huge change in chronometry
- Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer – Innovation and elegance in chronometry
- Only Watch 2023: Bernhard Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer
- Lederer Watches presents the Central Impulse Chronometer in a steel version and in a rose gold version
- Bernhard Lederer presents the Central Impulse Chronometer ‘InVerto’
- Lederer presents the new Central Impulse Chronometer with a diameter of 39mm
LEDERER Triple Certified Observatory Chronometer Technical Specifications
Reference: CIC 9012.10.710 – CHF 146’000.- (excluding VAT) – Limited to 8 pieces, Each of the 8 timepieces delivered with three observatory certificates is uniquely marked, using the 8 cardinal directions on the Wind Rose: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW, engraved on the back.
Functions:
- Hours, minutes, seconds
Features
- Two independent barrels
- Two constant-force mechanisms
- Two independent gear trains
- Two independent escapement wheels
- Patents: Double wheel escapement with central impulses (CIC), Winding stem, Case construction and design
Movement
- Caliber 9012: Patented Lederer Chronometer Escapement
- Mechanical with manual winding
- Number of components: 210
- Number of jewels: 45 rubies
- Frequency: 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz)
- Min. 38 hours power reserve
- Diameter: 39.3mm
- Thickness: 5.98mm
- All components are decorated by hand from all sides.
- Fine satin-finishing; top and bottom surface graining; bead blasting; hand-polished and bevelled edges; inner and outer angles; mirror-polished steel components.
Case
- Material: 904L highly corrosion-resistant stainless steel
- Finishing: Polished with an exceptional luster
- Diameter: 44m m
- Thickness: 12.2mm
- Case back: Open, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment.
- Water Resistance: 3 ATM
Dial
- Made in-house from solid sterling silver using a traditional 19th-century process, it contains an encrypted message visible to the skilled collector’s eye.
Strap & Buckle
- Soft bovine leather strap with pin buckle
