In the general scheme of things high-end watchmaker Rebellion is a newcomer in the world of Horology. The company was established in 2008 and is situated in the picturesque location of Lonay, Switzerland. Essentially they specialize in a range of innovative and futuristic looking timepieces. Due to the fact they are a small independent brand numbers are extremely limited and highly exclusive. Every element of the watch is meticulously considered and perfectly executed. This is achieved by the use of state-of-the-art precision lasers and incredible technical dexterity.
Back in May I wrote an article entitled ‘Baselword 2013’ featuring ten fantastic newly released watches. The T-1000 Gotham was definitely one of my favourites due to its radical looks and enormous case size. Subsequently I wrote about this magnificent piece for various prestigious magazines. In my opinion this timepiece defines what Rebellion is all about. A few months ago company CEO Steve Clerici informed about a new and exciting model due to be officially unveiled this November in Malaysia. The timepiece is called the 540 Magnum Tourbillon and is unbelievably good looking.
All of Rebellion’s creations are designed to make a statement and therefore won’t appeal to everyone’s tastes. With dimensions measuring 46mm x 56.7mm x 19.6mm this is an absolutely colossal timepiece. I personally love oversized watches but appreciate I am in the minority. The 540 Magnum Tourbillon is constructed from high performance carbon fiber, which should make the watch fairly lightweight to wear. This durable material is definitely one of the coolest choices available on the market. I am really glad to see numerous brands experimenting with different carbon composites. Ultimately this means that carbon watches are now accessible at most price points.
Visually the 540 Magnum Tourbillon displays the same bold and distinctive characteristics featured in other Rebellion watches. The skeletonised façade is a revelation and showcases the complex mechanics of the watch. I love the open worked hour minute hands and the exposed chain driven power reserve indicator. Other sensational features include a retrograde second counter (at 6 o’clock), massive crown and large aperture revealing the imposing tourbillon (at 4 o’clock). Overall the industrial design is successful and the attention to detail is staggering.
Beneath the watch’s robust exterior lies the Caliber REB T14. This bespoke movement contains 38 jewels and measures 36.7mm x 36.7mm x 9mm. David Candaux at Du Val Des Bois has specially developed the mechanism to Rebellion’s specifications. Impressively each of the 490 components is constructed from aluminum, magnesium, titanium and carbon fiber. All this technical brilliance is visible through the sapphire crystal case back. The 540 Magnum Tourbillon features hours, minutes and retrograde seconds. It also has a phenomenal power reserve of 14 days and is water resistant to 30 meters.
The magnificent 540 Magnum Tourbillon is limited to only 10 pieces and has a natural rubber strap with titanium double folding buckle. Priced for the serious collector at: CHF 270,000 (approximately $296,811).
