The C by Romain Gauthier Carbonium Edition from the Freedom collection is a study in technical prowess and modern aesthetic, offering a watch that is as sophisticated in engineering as it is bold in style. This watch stands as an embodiment of Gauthier’s vision for contemporary horology, blending out-of-the-box material innovation with uncompromising finishing and detail.
The Carbonium Edition draws upon Romain Gauthier’s legacy of creative independence and haute horlogerie. By integrating aerospace-derived Carbonium across its case, crown and buckle, it delivers a technical, feather-light wrist presence that is unmistakably forward-looking. A product of more than sixteen years of watchmaking evolution, its in-house movement and design philosophy reinforce the Continuum concept with every element flowing into the next, forming a watch that feels unified and daring in equal measure.
The dial offers a unique interplay of transparency and mechanical artistry. Crafted from sapphire, it features an openworked construction that mimics the dynamic Carbonium pattern seen in the case, rendered in pixelated black and chrome metallic tones. This partial openness provides direct sight of the Grade 5 titanium movement’s meticulously finished elements, imbuing the watch with technical depth even as it sits on the wrist. The dial architecture eschews enclosed circles, instead favouring open and vanishing lines to evoke a sense of continuity: hour and minute hands are off-centred, set against hour markers of varying lengths with small seconds at seven o’clock marked by tapered, Super-Luminova-filled lines. The decorative circling, polished angles and bold forms are underscored by a distinctive bridge with Carbonium insert, reinforcing both the contemporary spirit and brand DNA. All indices and numerals appear in Super-Luminova, enhancing legibility and accentuating the modern colour palette, which the owner can personalise to taste.
At the heart of the Carbonium Edition, Gauthier’s manual-winding movement stands out for its innovative construction and finishing. The movement, made primarily from Grade 5 titanium, delivers a robust yet lightweight architecture, with technical properties elevated by the use of advanced materials including brass, steel, stainless steel and German silver. Finger bridges, inspired by the Valle de Joux tradition, are horizontally configured and stepped, lending depth and a flowing visual dynamic across the movement. Double bevels, raised and straight-grained borders around rubies, and Carbonium inserts combine to enrich both texture and harmony. No surface is overlooked: circular-grained wheels, highly polished S-slot screws, snailing on the mainspring barrel and the signature triangular pallet lever all speak to fastidious hand-decoration. The movement’s specifications include a 32.1 mm by 5.5 mm format, a power reserve of 60 hours, 24 jewels, a balance frequency of 28,800 vph (4 Hz), and a total of 154 components. The mechanism boasts a cleverly engineered stop-seconds system: instead of a conventional lever, a snail cam halts the balance and delivers an impulse when released, a technical flourish reminiscent of the Logical One, providing precise setting and reliability.
The Carbonium case is a technical marvel in itself. Carbonium (three times stiffer than titanium yet twice as light) is produced by upcycling aerospace carbon fibre with epoxy resin using a special compression-moulding process. The facetted bezel, machined into six straight sides, features matte and satin finishes that absorb light and maximise character. This geometric motif continues across the sculpted caseband and angular lugs, unified by aesthetic grooves and a sophisticated interplay of surfaces. The watch measures 42 mm by 9.6 mm, with a lug-to-lug span of 50.4 mm, and weighs only 43 grams including the customisable rubber strap and Carbonium pin buckle. Water resistance stands at 30 metres (3 ATM/100 ft), and the display back is finished with a matching facetted Carbonium surround. The crown is fluted and positioned at 2 o’clock to free wrist movement, with the RG logo matching the dial accents, a further personalised touch. The rubber strap reflects the Carbonium texture, integrating both comfort and contemporary style, with colours customisable for seamless coordination.
The C by Romain Gauthier Carbonium Edition priced at CHF 58’000.- excl. taxes is a technical showcase and a harmonious union of avant-garde material with horological artistry. Every detail proclaims both innovation and integrity: from the sapphire dial’s openwork, the sculptural Grade 5 titanium movement with bespoke finishing, to the featherlight Carbonium case. The stop-seconds mechanism, the captivating dial geometry and continuity of design all reveal a maker thinking not just about watchmaking, but the experience and emotion of wearing it. Offered exclusively via Manufacture Romain Gauthier, the Carbonium Edition asserts itself as a modern masterpiece: free-spirited, technically exceptional, and undeniably personal.
