For the first time since creating the Central Impulse Chronometer, independent watchmaker Bernhard Lederer unveils a series, ‘InVerto’, in which the movement – along with its ingenious invention – is fully revealed on the dial side.
What was once only visible through the case-back is now entirely visible from the dial side. Except that the watch has no dial: all its mechanics are exposed, leaving no part hidden from view. Time can be read directly on the movement itself.
The piece exhibits an avant-garde character and remarkable symmetry, weaving a deep connection between the rich heritage of horology from which it draws its inspiration and Bernhard Lederer’s distinctly contemporary craftsmanship as an entirely independent artisan-watchmaker.
Together with his team of over 25 employees at his workshop in Saint-Blaise, Switzerland, Bernhard Lederer is one of the very few independent watchmakers to produce almost all components in-house, including the watch hands, which are handcrafted.
True to the innovative spirit of each of his creations, Bernhard Lederer has designed a timepiece with a profoundly reimagined aesthetic.
A very limited series of only 18 pieces.
The Central Impulse Chronometer ‘InVerto’ series reveals Bernhard Lederer’s ingenious invention with a grand premiere: the mechanism has been turned over to present a front view from the dial side; allowing a full view of the movement’s ingenuity and architecture while the watch is worn. What has traditionally been kept invisible at the back now takes center stage at the front. Instead of a dial, the entire mechanism is exposed, leaving no part concealed. Collectors of this exceptional creation will enjoy the experience of reading time directly off the movement.
Connoisseurs of Bernhard Lederer‘s craftsmanship will recognize his signature touch. His decades-long dedication to the art of watchmaking is driven by a passion for sharing the intricate workings of his creations with collectors. This enthusiasm for detailed mechanics, precise movements, and the ‘beating hearts’ of timepieces is vividly embodied in the Central Impulse Chronometer ‘InVerto’.
The origins of the Central Impulse Chronometer
In 2020, the notably discreet Bernhard Lederer was once again thrust into the spotlight of the watchmaking scene. Highly esteemed by major collectors and known for his reserved nature, he unveiled a movement characterized by rare ingenuity. Building on the foundations first laid by Abraham-Louis Breguet and subsequently refined by George Daniels, Lederer’s movement represented a logical and innovative progression.
Breguet, Daniels, Lederer — three pioneers spanning the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries. Their collective narrative weaves through three centuries, culminating in a profound exploration of the heart of mechanical watches: the escapement.
Understanding the Central Impulse Chronometer is not a prerequisite to appreciating the uniqueness of the timepiece created for Only Watch 2023. However, delving into its foundational principles is worthwhile. Why? For over 400 years, the escapement has been the epicenter of watchmakers’ pursuit of precision and smooth operation. While the Swiss lever escapement dominates modern mechanical watches, leading some to consider the quest complete, Bernhard Lederer took a different path. He pursued Breguet’s brilliant intuition, focusing on a bidirectional detent escapement, convinced of its superior efficiency.
A truly innovative solution
With the detent escapement, the impulse is transferred as directly as possible from the escape wheel to the balance wheel. Breguet, for his pocket watches, had devised a system of dual escapement wheels operating alternately – and therefore linked by a pair of additional, energy-hungry wheels. Breguet’s innovation became known as the Échappement Naturel (French for Natural Escapement). A century and a half later, George Daniels revived this concept for his pocket watch masterpieces, notably the Space Traveller I and Space Traveller II. However, this escapement functioned at a low frequency of 2 Hz, ideal for pocket watches, and required a twist of the watch to initiate movement.
Bernhard Lederer’s ambition was to transpose the concept from the pocket to the wrist. He began by elevating the frequency of his escapement to 3 Hz, suitable for reliable wristwatch operation. Crucially, he engineered a solution where the geometry of the escapement wheels in fact ensures optimal chronometric performance under everyday conditions. Lederer’s patented invention positions the impulse transmission to the balance wheel along a central line, inspiring the name of his watch: Central Impulse Chronometer.
Furthermore, Lederer also proved innovative by incorporating a constant force remontoire into his escapement design. This mechanism stores energy before the escapement, guaranteeing consistent energy release. The Central Impulse Chronometer features two such remontoires, each with its own gear train and barrel.
This combination of two remontoires with the escapement is a first in watchmaking history. It yields remarkable chronometric precision and exceptional frequency stability, validated by the Besançon Observatory and the COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres).
The Central Impulse Chronometer, fully revealed.
The InVerto series now showcases Lederer’s ingenious invention with an unprecedented feature: the mechanism, ingeniously rotated to provide a full frontal view, is entirely visible to the observer. Elements previously seen only from the case back are now prominently displayed at the front. Replacing a traditional dial, the entire mechanism is unveiled, with no detail concealed from sight – this collector’s watch affords the unique experience of reading the time directly off the movement. Additionally, the caseback has been thoughtfully designed for customization, catering to those who seek a truly personalized piece.
Those acquainted with Bernhard Lederer’s work will find this latest endeavor consistent with his legacy. His devotion to perfecting the art of horology over decades, especially in the domain of clocks, stems from a deep passion for unveiling the intricate workings of his creations to collectors. This passion is not just for the mechanics but also for their movement and their pulsating heart. This enduring philosophy is elegantly echoed in the Central Impulse Chronometer InVerto.
A monochromatic composition
“Many enthusiasts had long expressed a desire for Bernhard Lederer to craft a variation of his Central Impulse Chronometer. Fulfilling this wish, Lederer’s decision to invert the mechanism is a testament to his own deep-seated fascination with the beauty of mechanics. This choice is not just a response to external interest but a reflection of Lederer’s own enduring sensibility towards the art of watchmaking.
This inversion results in a striking three-dimensional effect. The mechanism fills the space beneath the specially adapted convex sapphire crystal, presenting an architecture that exudes calm, order, and harmony.
This serene effect is cultivated by finishing the entire movement, including the bridges and mainplate, in black. At the same time, all of Bernhard Lederer’s signature finishes find expression: satin, sandblasted, brushed surfaces, and, particularly, polished chamfers. In this unique timepiece, every detail is meticulously handcrafted, contributing to the monochromatic palette of reflections and textures.
While the dual seconds hands, a hallmark of the Central Impulse Chronometer, are absent from the visible part, they are not forgotten in this new concept. True to his traditional craftsmanship, Lederer included a seconds hand on the back to enable COSC certification of the chronometer.
A team of 25: the force behind the Central Impulse Chronometer
Avant-garde character meets remarkable symmetry in a watch that forges an unexpected link between the watchmaking past and Bernhard Lederer’s distinctly contemporary craftsmanship. As a fully independent and free artisan, Lederer brings a unique approach to this creation.
The Central Impulse Chronometer was born in the Lederer Watches Manufacture, nestled between Neuchâtel and Bienne in Saint Blaise. Bernhard Lederer stands among the select few independent watchmakers who have developed their own production facilities over the years, now employing over 25 skilled individuals. This autonomy allows the company to craft such exceptional watches, adhering to the highest quality standards. From the workbenches to the state-of-the-art CNC machines, every craft necessary for creating a complete wristwatch is represented and mastered in-house, including the crafting of the hands that immediately identify a Lederer watch.
Ultimately, aligning with his commitment to innovation in each creation, Bernhard Lederer has crafted a timepiece with a profoundly reimagined aesthetic. A very exclusive series limited to just 18 pieces, the Central Impulse Chronometer InVerto embodies the legacy of innovation passed down by the pioneers of Haute Horlogerie, a legacy to which Bernhard Lederer is a proud heir.
Bernhard Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer ‘InVerto’ Technical Specifications
Name: BERNHARD LEDERER CENTRAL IMPULSE CHRONOMETER InVerto
Reference: CIC 9018 InVerto – CHF 150’000 (without taxes)
Functions:
- Hours, minutes, seconds disc on the caseback
Movement:
- Mechanical, hand-wound
- Number of components: 212
- Number of jewels: 45 jewels
- Frequency: 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz)
- Diameter: 39.3 mm
- Thickness: 5.98 mm
- Special features:
- Two independent barrels
- Two independent gear trains
- Two constant-force remontoir
- Two independent escapement wheels
- Winding & setting:
- Two-position winding stem:
- Position 1: manual winding
- Position 2: setting the time
- Balance stop during the setting of the time
- Finishing:
- Superlative hand finishes.
- Bridges are frosted and hand-beveled,
- Wheels feature circular graining and hand-beveled spokes,
- Stone settings are hand-polished,
- Steel components are mirror-polished.
- Power reserve: 42 hours
Case:
- Stainless steel, black DLC treatment
- Diameter: 44 mm
- Thickness: 12.2 mm
- Caseback: Open, sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating
- Water resistance: 3 ATM (30 meters, 100 feet)
Dial:
- Hour markers engraved inside the sapphire dome
Strap:
- Black leather, saddle-stitched by hand
