The Mesmerising ArtyA Purity Moissanite Curvy Tourbillon

Encased in radiant moissanite with prismatic reflections, the Curvy Tourbillon appears to float in a golden, light-filled aura.

ArtyA

ArtyA is an independent brand established in Geneva by Yvan Arpa in 2009, renowned for transforming odd and frequently provocative materials into completely functional timepieces. The brand's recent venture into other materials features moissanite, a remarkably durable silicon carbide with a luminous, highly dispersive surface frequently utilised as a diamond substitute in jewellery. Initially utilised to create the circular casing of ArtyA’s Purity watch for OnlyWatch, the brand advances its innovation by employing moissanite for the intricate shapes of a tonneau case, showcasing a suspended tourbillon.

Moissanite refers to an extraterrestrial mineral identified by Henri Moissan in 1893 within a meteorite crater in Arizona. Lab-grown moissanite, exceedingly rare in nature, is chemically and physically identical to its natural counterpart. As the second hardest substance known, following diamond, it is the most scratch-resistant material utilised in horology. Its inherent hardness, coupled with a melting point surpassing 2,700°C, renders the machining and manipulation of this material an exceptionally challenging task.

The optical properties of champagne-hued moissanite, possessing a dispersion index of 0.104—twice that of diamond—produce a remarkable dispersion of light into several colours. Each facet functions as a miniature prism, converting the tonneau-shaped casing into a radiant light-reflecting sculpture. The design of the Curvy Tourbillon tonneau case enhances the visual experience, as its polished surfaces and nuanced optical distortion amplify the depth of the mechanism and the tourbillon's spinning. The champagne-hued moissanite, featuring 65 facets, generates a vibrant spectrum of light.

ArtyA

The sleek moissanite case, measuring 41mm in diameter, 42mm in length, and 13mm in height, accommodates the PUR-T3 Curvy Tourbillon manual-winding calibre, which is designed to conform to the case's curved contours. The skeletonised manual-winding tourbillon movement, showcased through a transparent sapphire crystal case, was created for ArtyA by the prestigious movement manufacturer Télôs SA. The pink ring at noon displays offset hours and minutes, while a high-frequency 4Hz tourbillon is positioned at 6 o’clock. The moissanite case additionally showcases the parallel-mounted double barrels, which ensure stable torque delivery and provide a guaranteed power reserve of 65 hours (maximum 70-72 hours). The highest tourbillon cage bridge is 17mm, over 50% larger than standard tourbillons. Modern finishes, including sandblasted bridges and plates as well as shotblasted components, such as the tourbillon cage, are enhanced by hand-bevelled edges.

The timepiece is a limited edition of nine units. It is accompanied by a light brown nubuck leather strap with a pin clasp and is priced at CHF 170,000 / EUR 189,000. Additional details are available at Artya.com.