Perrelet, Swiss watchmaking brand whose roots date back to 1777, never ceases to surprise watch lovers and collectors with new and extraordinary iterations of its Turbine collections. At the Windup Watch Fair, which opens its doors in San Francisco from 3-5 May 2024, the Biel-based manufacture will present its latest novelty: the Turbine SpaceConquest.
Space has always been a dream of mankind. The motivations for space travel have been many and varied throughout history. Exploration of the unknown, scientific progress, technological advancement and international competition among the major powers of our planet have been the strongest driving forces.
Alongside the scientific purposes that have always dominated space missions over the years, with robots or astronauts working in orbit to collect data on the solar system and the Earth, monitor the planet’s resources, develop telecommunications and more, there is now space tourism, promoted by private companies such as Space X or Virgin Galatic, to name but a few.
Space is and will always remain one of the great themes of human interest and relevance, which Perrelet has chosen to celebrate with the Turbine Space Conquest, a fascinating addition to the Perrelet Turbine 41 Titanium collection, with a sub-dial dedicated to one of the most extraordinary human adventures.
The Turbine, the iconic device that marked the beginning of a successful collection
Patented in 2009, the turbine technology, reminiscent of the aeronautical propulsion system that inspired it, is today the undisputed icon of the many Perrelet collections that bear its name.
While performing a purely aesthetic function, this device nevertheless requires perfect balance to ensure the eye-catching hypnotic movement that characterises the collection and materialises the lower dials with ever-changing motifs.
The black anodised aluminium propeller with five tungsten counterweights rotates in time with the movements of the wrist. The faster the twelve blades rotate, the more clearly the motif adorning the sub-dial is revealed.
The original 3D effect created by the spinning blades gives the impression of diving into the heart of the dial and has always given each model a unique and seductive personality, recognisable in Perrelet timepieces.
The new Turbine Space Conquest
Produced exclusively for the US market in a limited edition of 50 pieces, the ‘Turbine Space Conquest’ features a 41mm diameter, 10 ATM water-resistant grade 2 titanium case with a flat, smooth bezel, a vertically fluted case back, triple lugs and a prominent crown bearing the brand’s logo. Looking closely at the case back, the ring framing the sapphire crystal porthole echoes the same decorative grooves featured on the sides of the case. The convex grooves are lined up at exactly the same position as the concave grooves on the case. A subtle, yet refined detail that highlights the meticulous care Perrelet invests in every single detail. The comfortable and ergonomic polished/brushed five-row titanium bracelet completes the look of this sporty yet elegant watch, which at 41 mm fits even the smallest wrist and is perfectly in tune with current fashion trends.
The lower dial, which materialises during the rotation of the turbine and is skilfully decorated with the image of a lunar landscape, the earth and an astronaut, is the outstanding feature of this latest Perrelet creation. A realistic image that evokes the incredible and astonishing adventure of the first man to set foot on this satellite in 1969 and the desire to be among the lucky ones to experience the today’s space tourism one day.
The dial is well-proportioned and harmonious, allowing the functions to be read at a glance. The large Arabic numerals mixed with indices are applied to a matt black hour ring and, along with the hour and minute hands, are treated with Super-LumiNova to ensure excellent legibility even in low-light conditions. The slim red seconds hand brightens up the display.
The exclusivity of this creation is further emphasized by the inscription “Limited Edition XX/50” which individually numbers each model in this series.
Turbine Space Conquest comes in a tactical box customised with the depiction of the lunar landscape motif on the inside.
The in-house self-winding calibre P-331-MH
The engine powering the Turbine Space Conquest is the manufacture P-331-MH automatic movement beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offering 42 hours of power reserve when fully wound.
This new-generation calibre P-331-MH, developed in 2019, benefits from substantial modifications compared to its predecessor. The teeth of the escape wheel have an improved surface finish, and the pallet is fitted with superior-quality rubies, ensuring higher performance and an impeccable degree of reliability. Furthermore, the new lubricating system of the reversers guarantees the optimum performance of the bi-directional winding system. The balance wheel is also fitted with a double-cone Incabloc® shock absorber that increases protection against impact.
Finally, the movement boasts COSC and Chronofiable chronometry certifications, guaranteeing the maximum reliability and precision of the movement powering this new watch.
As with all Perrelet timepieces, the finishings of the movement are meticulously executed with perlage on the bridges and an open-worked rhodium-plated satin-brushed oscillating weight with the brand’s logo.
Availability
The Turbine Space Conquest will be available from mid-May through official retailers in the USA and on the company’s official E-commerce site for those who do not have a retailer in their area.
Turbine SpaceConquest Technical Specifications
Ref. A4066/S1 – Recommended Retail Price: USD 5.450
Movement:
- In-house manufacture self-winding calibre P-331-MH, Chronofiable ® and COSC certified
- 28.800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
- Number of jewels: 25
- Power reserve (fully wound up): 42 hours
- Bridges: rhodium-plated, circular graining decoration
- Open-worked, rhodium-plated, satin-brushed oscillating weight on ball bearings, personalised with Perrelet logo
Functions:
- Hours, minutes and seconds
Case:
- Round, polished/brushed grade 2 titanium
- Diameter: 41 mm
- Thickness: 13, 90 mm
- Flat bezel
- Fluted case band
- Prominent crown with Perrelet logo
- Sapphire crystal glass with double anti-reflective treatment on dial and case back
- Limited edition XX/50, inscription transferred on the sapphire crystal case back
- Water resistance: 10 ATM
Dial:
- Turbine Technology
- 12-blade turbine in black anodised aluminium with five tungsten counterweights below
- Lower dial with realistic depiction of lunar landscape, astronaut and Earth
- Arabic numerals mixed with indices, filled with white Super-LumiNova, embossed on a matt black ring
- Central luminescent hour and minute hands
- Red central seconds hand
Bracelet:
- Polished/brushed five-row titanium integrated bracelet with folding buckle personalised with the Perrelet logo
Limited Edition:
- 50 pieces, individually numbered
Notes:
- The watch is delivered in a box customized with the dial design
ABOUT PERRELET
Perrelet, Bienne-based Swiss watch company whose roots date back to 1777, is world-renowned for its timepieces with “animated” dials.
Its collections, featuring the iconic and patented Double Rotor and Turbine technologies, pays tribute to founder Abraham-Louis Perrelet, the precursor of the first self-winding movement, and are recognised signature features of the brand. He is also credited with the creation of the first pedometer in 1780.
As heirs of the genius master watchmaker, every model in Perrelet’s collection is fitted with an in-house automatic movement.
Driven by a desire to innovate watchmaking, Perrelet presented the first automatic movement with a Double Rotor in 1995, enabling the movement to draw its energy from the two perfectly synchronised rotors, thus ensuring a more efficient winding force.
Since 2004, Perrelet has been part of the Festina Group, owned by the Spanish entrepreneur Miguel Rodriguez, who also owns a prestigious watchmaking pole comprising no less than six production sites, including Soprod. This latter allows the brand total autonomy in the production of its timepieces and consequently maximum freedom of creation.
Under the leadership of Miguel Rodriguez, Perrelet developed and patented the Turbine technology in 2009 and introduced the new-generation P-331-MH automatic calibre, COSC and Chronofiable® certified, which powers many of the brand’s collections as of 2019, as well as the peripheral rotor equipping the LAB Peripheral line.
2023 marks another important milestone for Perrelet: the introduction of the “Turbine 41 Titanium” collection, featuring the first ever case reduced to 41 mm instead of the traditional 44 mm or more and combined with an integrated titanium bracelet.