Mechanical watchmaking is a centuries-old art that continues to amaze. Not only does it allow us to enjoy, even today, working masterpieces of time that are “only” a couple of centuries old, but also to explore new solutions to obtain higher performing mechanics combined with more daring and intriguing designs.
CYRUS Genève and master watchmaker Jean-François Mojon have been following this philosophy since the Maison was founded in 2010.
After creating innovative timepieces such as Klepcys Moon, which boasts the patents for the retrograde date and for linear time reading, or Klepcys Vertical Tourbillon, with the tourbillon on a vertical axis inclined at 90° and placed – for the first time in watchmaking – in the centre of the dial, CYRUS Genève introduced an outright revolution in chronograph complications in the summer of 2021.
KLEPCYS DICE (Double Independent Chronograph Evolution) is the first of its kind in the world, capable of measuring two-time intervals independently or in synchrony, both of which can be read off at a glance thanks to a two-tone colour scheme. Moreover, it is also a monopusher chronograph, with a functional double crown at 3 and 9 o’clock. In Klepcys DICE, each crown starts, stops and resets the chronograph to zero pressing the push-buttons. The one at 3 o’clock also winds the movement and adjusts the time.
In 2023, CYRUS Genève presents “Klepcys DICE Lime Carbon”, a further version of this exclusive, innovative chronograph. The timepiece features a grade-5 titanium case with a polished/satin finish, in an iconic cushion shape, combined with a carbon fibre bezel. This lightweight, temperature-resistant material is layered and then machined, making the surface of each bezel always look different. Moreover, for this new creation, the bezel has a singular characteristic – due to inclusions of luminescent material, it lights up in the dark.
In addition to the innovative carbon bezel, “Klepcys DICE Lime Carbon” also features the first integrated titanium bracelet with a satin finish and polished hexagonal central links, which endows a new aesthetic identity and provides an alternative to the version with a Cordura fabric strap. The same watch but with a completely new look!
The case, waterproof to 10 ATM, has a diameter of 42 mm and a thickness of 16.5 mm. Such a height may seem considerable to some, but given that its unprecedented calibre includes two mainplates, it is actually very impressive. The choice of titanium also makes this case very comfortable on the wrist, due to its light weight and ergonomic design.
The 3D architecture of the open-worked display, a distinguishing features of many of the Maison’s collections, allows the chronograph mechanism to be seen in action from the dial side, from which the “heart” of the complication – the two column wheels – is clearly visible.
Overall, despite the many components on display, the functions of “Klepcys DICE Lime Carbon” are easy to read at a glance.
Hour and minute markers in Arabic numerals and hands with Super-LumiNova emitting blue glow in low-light conditions are displayed on an anti-reflective sapphire crystal ring. The counter of the double chronograph is at 3 o’clock. It is in smoky sapphire crystal with a green profile and double 15/30 numerals in lime green and yellow. Double two-tone numerals are also present on the minutes-flange.
The chrono minutes and seconds hands are mirrored. The first chronograph is picked out in green; the pusher on the crown set at 3 o’clock starts, stops and resets it to 12 o’clock. The second chronograph is set with the pusher on the crown at 9 o’clock; it is highlighted in yellow, and resets to 6 o’clock. Both crowns are finished with a ring in the same hues as the two chronographs. The helix small seconds hand at 9 o’clock grants a pleasant visual symmetry to all the elements making up the display. The bridges above the chrono counter and the small seconds stand out for their profile in a green lacquer finish.
“Klepcys DICE Lime Carbon” comes to life thanks to the development of the unprecedented CYR718 automatic calibre, designed by Jean-François Mojon, featuring two identical chronograph mechanisms in a single case. What’s more, the movement has been reversed so that the mechanisms and the two column wheels are visible on the dial side.
This innovative mechanism requires two mainplates on which the additional module for the two independent chronographs, comprising 218 components, is mounted. With 443 components in total, the mechanism beats at 28,800 vibrations/hour, and the single barrel delivers a 55-hour power reserve.
The calibre is equipped with two independent chronograph movements and two display axes: one corresponds to the chronograph seconds and the second to the 30-minute counter. The chronographs are activated by two column wheels, which in turn activate the different levers that move the seconds and 30-minute chronograph display.
The activation of chronograph levers generates considerable shocks and dispersion of energy, especially during the return-to-zero phase when the hammer on the heart cam is activated.
Thanks to a special system of insulation, which ensures precision measurements for the duration of the event, these shocks have no repercussions on the display of the functions. In short, the two chronographs work independently without exerting any influence on one another.