Our Take

A micro-mechanical engineer by schooling, Romain Gauthier began his career in Le Brassus as an automatic lathe technician. Later, his business school thesis focused on how to operate a watchmaking brand with in-house manufacturing capabilities. Fast forward, that thesis became the foundation for his eponymous brand. Known for its technical prowess and impeccable finishing, Romain Gauthier has crafted some of the most complex and aesthetically delightful timepieces in modern independent watchmaking. We’re pleased to present one of the maestro’s most popular creations, the Logical One in rose gold with black ADLC titanium bezel.

Released a decade ago in 2013, the Logical One was immediately recognized by industry peers as a timepiece on the cutting edge of technical excellence. Winner of the 2013 GPHG Award for Men’s Complication, it reinvigorated a rather unusual complication from the earliest days of mechanical timekeeping — the fusée and chain mechanism—by replacing the fusée with a snail cam. An important factor in chronometry, the fusée and chain concept ensures that the transmission of force from the mainspring remains constant throughout the entire power reserve. Featured on the dial-side of the Logical One, a snail shaped cam with spiral thread receives the chain, which rolls up as the mainspring unwinds. Effectively a counterbalance, the cam winds the chain as the mainspring unwinds, creating leverage and torque to offset fluctuations in force.

It becomes exceedingly clear with a close look that Gauthier is a micro-mechanical expert. The chain and cam mechanism is composed of expertly finished, mini stainless steel links with synthetic rubies to reduce friction. This is simply an ultra detail-oriented timepiece. While the movement construction and finishing are exquisite, attracting attention for its abundant rounded (bercé) anglage, something often overlooked is how amazing it is to wind. With a large pusher at 9 o’clock, the timepiece is wound by pressing down again and again while watching the fusée and chain move right beside it. An incredible tactile experience, it’s a winding mechanism that matches the overall unusualness of the chain and cam.

With 369 components, all crafted in house, and 63 jewels (26 in the chain), it’s a tour de force in modern independent watchmaking. In a 43mm case, roughly 52mm lug-to-lug, this rose gold with black ADLC titanium bezel model is limited to three, making it one of the more rare variations of the Logical One in circulation.