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Lot Essay
The ‘C’, standing for ‘Continuum’, was conceived as a more contemporary and sporting expression of Romain Gauthier’s watchmaking, contrasting with the manufacture’s traditionally classical approach to haute horlogerie. The first C by Romain Gauthier Titanium Edition was introduced in 2021 on a strap, followed a year later by a version with an integrated titanium bracelet, such as the present timepiece.
The present example is particularly striking for its bold salmon-coloured dial. Its contemporary character is reinforced by oversized Arabic numerals and an off-centre subsidiary seconds display decorated with a contrasting light blue starburst motif. Combined with the lightweight titanium case and integrated bracelet, the result is a distinctly modern interpretation of Gauthier’s highly refined watchmaking.
Visible through the sapphire crystal caseback is the superbly hand-finished in-house movement. Beyond its elaborate decoration, the calibre incorporates an ingenious stop-seconds mechanism using a snail cam: when the crown is pulled out, the balance wheel is stopped to allow precise time setting, while pushing the crown back in delivers an impulse to restart the balance. The mechanism exemplifies Gauthier’s characteristic combination of mechanical ingenuity and meticulous hand-finishing.
Romain Gauthier
Born in Le Sentier, Switzerland, in 1975, Romain Gauthier studied precision mechanics before joining a horological components manufacturer in the Vallée de Joux in 1997. His background in micro-engineering and fascination with mechanical construction would become fundamental to his distinctive approach to watchmaking. After several years of development and working discreetly on his own creations, Gauthier founded Manufacture Romain Gauthier and presented his first wristwatch, the Prestige HM, in 2006. Since then, his work has become recognised for its innovative mechanical solutions, distinctive movement architecture and exceptional hand-finishing.
The present example is particularly striking for its bold salmon-coloured dial. Its contemporary character is reinforced by oversized Arabic numerals and an off-centre subsidiary seconds display decorated with a contrasting light blue starburst motif. Combined with the lightweight titanium case and integrated bracelet, the result is a distinctly modern interpretation of Gauthier’s highly refined watchmaking.
Visible through the sapphire crystal caseback is the superbly hand-finished in-house movement. Beyond its elaborate decoration, the calibre incorporates an ingenious stop-seconds mechanism using a snail cam: when the crown is pulled out, the balance wheel is stopped to allow precise time setting, while pushing the crown back in delivers an impulse to restart the balance. The mechanism exemplifies Gauthier’s characteristic combination of mechanical ingenuity and meticulous hand-finishing.
Romain Gauthier
Born in Le Sentier, Switzerland, in 1975, Romain Gauthier studied precision mechanics before joining a horological components manufacturer in the Vallée de Joux in 1997. His background in micro-engineering and fascination with mechanical construction would become fundamental to his distinctive approach to watchmaking. After several years of development and working discreetly on his own creations, Gauthier founded Manufacture Romain Gauthier and presented his first wristwatch, the Prestige HM, in 2006. Since then, his work has become recognised for its innovative mechanical solutions, distinctive movement architecture and exceptional hand-finishing.