Monochrome Watches
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Hands-on

The New Claude Meylan Tortue Swirls

Modern baroque meets skeletonized movement.

| By Xavier Markl | 2 min read |
Claude Meylan Tortue Swirls

Descendant of one of the historical families of the Vallée de Joux, Claude Meylan is a niche independent watchmaking brand now headed by Philippe Belais. Among other specialities, Claude Meylan is known for crafting skeletonized watches. The brand has just unveiled a new version of its Tortue characterized by the original structure of its openworked movement. Meet the new Claude Meylan Tortue Swirls.

Claude Meylan Tortue Swirls

The inspiration for this new version of the brand’s Tortue skeleton was provided by the twisted curves of baroque motifs (volutes in French). The meticulously executed movement openworked structure, therefore, forms an elaborate array of geometric curvy patterns. The expressive style is however toned down by the matte monochrome anthracite finish of the plate and bridges. The brand’s logo is transferred on the sapphire crystal.

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Claude Meylan Tortue Swirls

The skeletonized movement inside the Claude Meylan Tortue Swirls is the hand-wound 165CM14, derived from the well-known Unitas movement. For the occasion, this 36.60mm round movement has been completely remodelled to adapt to the shaped ‘tortue’ case and then open-worked. Ticking at 18,800 vibrations per hour, its power reserve if of 42 hours when fully wound. It displays the hours and minutes with ‘Mercedes’ hands.

Claude Meylan Tortue Swirls

The Claude Meylan Tortue Swirls is offered in two steel different versions. The first one is presented in the traditional Claude Meylan Tortue case (40mm x 40mm x 11mm). The second version comes in a similar case but with no bezel, instead, the shaped box sapphire crystal slightly protrudes from the case. It offers an original perspective on the skeletonized mechanism and the way its bevel edge catches the light is truly attention-grabbing. The exhibition case back allows discovering the other side of the movement.

The Claude Meylan Tortue Swirls is worn on an alligator leather strap fitted with a steel pin buckle. The price is set at CHF 2,650 for the traditional version and CHF 3,500 for the version without bezel.

For more information, please visit www.claudemeylan.ch.

https://monochrome-watches.com/hands-on-new-claude-meylan-tortue-swirls-specs-price/

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