Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The New ArtyA Purity Stairway to Heaven HMS Wavy
A curvaceous sapphire case inspired by the ocean’s waves reveals every detail of the openworked three-hand movement.
ArtyA was founded by Yvan Arpa in 2010, making a name for itself with avant-garde models often incorporating unconventional materials like bullets or butterfly wings. However, over time, ArtyA has matured to produce more restrained and elegant skeletonised movements, often housed in transparent sapphire crystal cases and featured in the brand’s Purity collection. For Geneva Watch Days, ArtyA released the Purity Stairway to Heaven with an openworked movement and a new HMS Wavy case design created by Yvan’s son, Jérémie Arpa.
ArtyA’s Purity collection is home to some of the brand’s most adventurous openworked models. We’ve covered the Purity Tourbillon and the remarkable colour-changing Tourbillon Chameleon with a sapphire crystal case that changes colour when exposed to different light. The Stairway to Heaven time-only model is not new to the Purity collection and has appeared in steel and ceramic cases.
The Stairway to Heaven model returns in a new 40mm round transparent sapphire crystal case with a thickness of 13mm. Known as the HMS Wavy case, the organic, almost liquid design is reminiscent of ocean waves and provides an open window on absolutely every last detail of the manual-winding movement. With its soft domed surfaces and undulating curves, the sapphire crystal case draws and refracts light across the components.
Like the earlier editions, the openworked movement relies on two parallel barrels placed around the crown and an intriguing, suspended 4Hz escapement, referred to as the Stairway to Heaven, surmounted by a bridge composed of three arced and hand-bevelled tiers on the left.
However, there are several novelties regarding the new model. Apart from the new case, the most noticeable difference can be appreciated in the display of the hours and minutes. Instead of the superimposed and off-centred chapter ring above the barrels of earlier editions, the Wavy has central sword-shaped hands with the hour and minute markers laser-engraved on the underside of the sapphire crystal. In addition, there is now a sweeping central seconds hand. Other novelties include the redesigned twin barrels with longer and finer springs to produce a smoother unwinding and a more stable and linear energy release corresponding to 72 hours. The balance wheel has also been reduced in size to optimise its chronometric performance.
The manual-winding calibre powering the new HMS Wavy Purity was designed, developed, and manufactured in partnership with Télôs SA. The Purity Stairway to Heaven HMS Wavy is a limited edition of 99 pieces and retails for CHF 44,900, EUR 46,300 or USD 49,700 (all prices excl. tax). For more information, please consult artya.com.
