For three decades, Christophe Claret Manufacture has proved how an independent watchmaker can thrive in a competitive industry. Moreover, the founder of the namesake company is a Frenchman who established his business in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland's cradle of watchmaking.
After producing for others, the horologer began releasing watches under his own brand in 2009.
The 10th anniversary of the Christophe Claret brand is marked by Angelico, named after Fra Angelico, an Italian Renaissance painter, and inspired by 18th-century marine chronometers.
The commemorative timepiece uniquely combines a tourbillion with a long detent escapement and a cable-type fusee transmission system for absolute precision.
Claret opted for a traditional detent escapement, originally placed in a marine chronometer, to determine a ship's geographical location at sea while operating in a stabilised position.
The wristwatch thus is equipped with an anti-pivot mechanism that prevents the long detent escapement from turning over.
Located at 6 o'clock, a large cage with a 16mm diameter allows an ample view of the detent escapement while the tourbillion performs one full turn in six minutes.
The brand's technical prowess is further shown at 2 o'clock, where the cable-type fusee transmission mechanism delivers constant supply of energy to the movement.
On the opposite side, the double mainspring barrel is connected to the fusee via a robust nanofiber cable instead of a traditional chain, in order to optimise efficiency by eliminating friction and increase as well as precisely regulate the power reserve.
The easy-to-read design indicates two time zones via a jumping hour display appearing in counters at 5 and 7 o'clock, along with a day/night indication.
Minutes are displayed by a peripheral hand to ensure an unobstructed view of the mechanism, which is also revealed through the sapphire crystal of the caseback.
Christophe Claret's 10th anniversary timepiece is presented in a red-gold or titanium case, each a 10-piece limited edition.
