New for 2012 is the Witness One by Manufacture Rodolphe Cattin, and if you are a watch enthusiast I bet that you’ve seen his designs before.
His career thus far reads like a who’s who in the watch world. Many of the collections which he designed for others, unusually bear his name in one form or another. In 2012 he “freed himself” from the constraints of working for others and founded his own marque alongside Thomas Meyer, his co-collaborator in escaping the bonds which tied him down, they named it simply Manufacture Rodolphe Cattin.
Rodolphe Cattin has been there, done that, sketched it, designed it. This is a man unafraid to think and acts like an artist. This is a watchmaker unafraid to be influenced by what goes on outside the watch industry and be inspired by fashion, culture and the arts. This is a man unafraid to give emphasis to a collection of ladies timepieces, the Adore and Utopia models. His creations are so unique and adventurous that rather than thinking outside the box, you would have to say that M.Cattin was never inclined to step into it in the first place.
To create a curvaceous and beautiful timepiece which is also totally masculine requires ingenious design. It is, of course all about the subtle details. The rounded sandblasted case, a curvy crystal, the drama of the clawed lugs, then the intrinsic – blued hands are positioned a-top the skeletonised movement adding depth, as if it were needed. The black-gold bridges are tetchy and striking and of course a showcase tourbillion at 6 o’clock combines with a small seconds display.
Inside is the Caliber MRC 800, a movement which requires hand winding, but you will not mind such a task – just look at that seductive crown which simply begs to be fiddled with. The mechanisms are unusual too -the pull-out piece is operated using a three-arm “octopus spring” and its micro-mechanics are visible through the case back.
The Manufacture Rodolphe Cattin Witness One Tourbillion can be constructed from steel, white gold or pink gold, measuring 45mm across and each comes presented on a black alligator strap.
