A Watch With an Irresistible Tick

Time ticks by silently however, within the arcane universe of mechanical watches, sound is the final word achievement. Whereas chiming clocks have been pioneered within the 1600s, it wasn’t till the late nineteenth century that the equipment was perfected in miniature. Squeezing within the greater than 100 extra elements essential to have a modern-style wristwatch strike with pinpoint accuracy and wealthy, clear peals — every watch sounds subtly totally different — is taken into account the peak of horological craft, and most firms deserted such advanced fashions way back. However a couple of holdouts proceed to make such timepieces. Amongst them is Omega, whose new numbered-edition Speedmaster marries the Swiss model’s stopwatch chronograph function with a minute repeater, enabling wearers to press a button that triggers a collection of tones to sign the minutes, tens of seconds and seconds. The distinctive mixture, housed in an 18-karat gold case with an aventurine dial and rose guilloche subdials, is arrestingly lovely whereas ringing each bell. Omega Speedmaster Chrono Chime, value on request, omegawatches.com.

Photograph assistant: Lucas Mathon