Manufacture Royale presents an original and creative version of its iconic 1770 Haute Voltige replica watch, a special edition that pays tribute to freedom. In the 1770s, Voltaire, who was involved in the foundation of the Manufacture Royale, obtained the liberation of the Pays de Gex. The colours and engraving of the replica watch are inspired by the uniform of the dragoons that escorted the philosopher during this time.
The 1770 Haute Voltige Dragon is nonconformist in all its aspects. Confident of its art and technical skills, Manufacture Royale has broken away from traditional constraints and codes to give free rein to its creativity and impose its style. The contrasting colours and materials, as well as depth of volumes, are striking. Shadow and light effects transform our perception. The heart of the replica watch is bared. The escapement and balance wheel are unusually positioned on the dial side, producing a hypnotic spectacle and giving material form to passing time.
The ethereal large red anodised aluminium balance wheel is suspended to a bridge above the sunray brushed khaki dial and its superb reflections. The slightly raised subsidiary second time zone dial is decorated with a sun stamp and circled with an appliquéd metal rim. The sword-shaped hands, openworked on the first time zone, seem to be suspended in mid-air.
The hours and minutes of the two time zones are perfectly independent. This rare and useful configuration is used to accurately tell the time for all geographic zones, including those whose minutes vary by 15 or 30 minutes with the GMT reference. The second time zone is set using the crown – a very easy option. Furthermore, the absence of a traditional corrector ensures that the pure design of the replica watch remains intact.
The 1770 Haute Voltige replica watch’s case has also been personalised for this version. The two sidebars surrounding the case to define the horns and middle case band are hand-engraved. The notched crown is hand-polished and bears the brand’s initials.
The sapphire crystal caseback is held by four screws and reveals the marvellous finishing of the self-winding movement whose bridges are chamfered and decorated with Côtes de Genève. The original design draws its strength from a symmetry made possible by the fact that the balance wheel has been moved to the dial side.
The 1770 Haute Voltige Dragon replica watch is worn on a hand-stitched alligator strap with steel pin buckle.
Technical details
Movement
Calibre MR07
Type: Self-winding mechanical movement
Diameter: 36mm / Thickness: 9.45mm
Jewels: 31
Power reserve: 40 hours
Frequency: 3Hz, 21,600 vibrations per hour
Mainplate and bridges: Entirely hand-decorated; Côtes de Genève finishing; 5N engraving
Balance wheel: Red anodised aluminium; Flat balance spring
Functions
Hours and minutes indicated for two independent time zones.
Case
Steel
Hand-engraved sidebars, sun pattern
Diameter: 45 mm / Thickness: 13.8 mm
Crystal: Double-sided anti-reflective sapphire
Crown: MR logo, sanded case back, hand-polished surface
Caseback: With sapphire crystal
Water resistance: 3 ATM
Dial
Sunray brushed first time zone
Second time zone, centre with sun stamp
Strap
Alligator, hand-stitched
Buckle: Steel pin