Some complications are useful and some are just for the novelty. Horologists have tested their imagination and their watchmaking prowess to bring creative complications to the wrists of the world. Here are five of our favorites that will leave you entertained.
1. Christophe Claret Casino Watch
Christophe Claret is a master watchmaker who specializes in ultra complicated movements. Claret has worked with the likes of Roget Dubois, Harry Winston and Piaget before starting his own watch company and separate watch manufacturing company. At Baselworld in 2010, Claret showed off the first and only watch to feature black jack, roulette and dice.
This creative timepiece houses its own original blackjack movement. The game is controlled by the pushers and the watch is the dealer. The roulette game is found on the back of the case, connected to the rotor. There’s even an emerald for your lucky number that can be adjusted to your choice. Finally, the dice game is found on the side of the watch. There’s a small chamber for even smaller dice — all you have to do is shake your watch.
2. Van Cleef & Arpels Planetarium
This stunning piece houses a mini solar system right on your wrist. The mechanical and artistic intricacies are abundantly clear with the Van Cleef & Arpels Planetarium. The watch features six of our solar system’s planets rotating around the sun true to reality.
The planets complete rotations according to how long it takes the planets to revolve around the sun. Mercury completes a rotation in 88 days, Venus in 224, Saturn in 29.5 years, and the Earth in, of course, one year. The watch consists of 396 pieces, working together in perfect harmony to bring you a unique vision of the solar system. The watch sells for $245K.
3. Greubel Forsey GMT 3D titanium Globe
World time complications, though inherently spectacular, are a dime a dozen. Greubel Forsey had a greater vision than a rotating bezel. With their GMT 3D Titanium Globe, the watchmakers brought a new dimension to world time, quite literally.
The globe in question is a titanium dome that features the northern hemisphere. The globe rotates throughout the day, one full revolution, and displays the time on a disc around the globe along with a day-night indicator for a true world time experience. On the back of the watch, theres a disc with world cities and time so you can get the most of the timepiece. This watch can be yours for $595K.
4. Urwerk UR-1001 Zeit Device
Though this one is actually a pocket watch, you can also get the strapped version to wear on your wrist. This massive pocket watch has a look like no other as well as a unique and impressive lifespan. The watch in questions tracks time from the second all the way to a millennia. If you plan on sticking around that long, or if you enjoy the novelty, then this timepiece is for you.
The device is massive and industrial looking and it’s sure to turn heads even if it’s merely propped at your desk. We are especially fond of the quirky service indicator on the dial. It’s meant to appear as an ‘oil change.’ The pocket watch is massive at 62mm wide and 106mm long, but for those adventerous in life or style, Urwerk released the UR-1001 Titan that comes with an arm strap.
5. Richard Mille Mechanical Fountain Pen
We’ve mentioned this Richard Mille, one-of-a-kind mechanical fountain pen before, but we enjoy the creative application of watch mechanics. There’s no actual timekeeping function to this piece, but it is an inventive complication. The piece, with a the push of a button, triggers the nib of the fountain pen to fully extend.
The movement is fully visible through the top of the pen, which uses a crystal sapphire window to display the mechanics. The barrel and cap are made of NTPT carbon for a decidedly industrial-yet-artistic look. The nib is made of 18K white gold to remind you that this is no ordinary fountain pen. If this is something you would like to add to your collection, then it can be yours for the price of $105,000.
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