The new C by Romain Gauthier Titanium Edition Six is, as the name indicates, the sixth edition of this model using this calibre. In a limited edition if 88 pieces, it comes in a 41mm sized grade 5 titanium case that is 9.5mm thick and has a water resistance of 50m. You may recall that the ‘C’ model was first introduced in 2021 as the Continuum, with it being a radical departure from the models for which the brand had been known.

This new edition features a partially open sapphire dial that reveals the seconds wheel and escapement (escape wheel, balance and pallet fork) of the movement. There is a decorative bridge on the lower part of the dial which features hand engraved finishing replicating the texture found inside the bridges.

For this new model the dial is sapphire, with an off-centred hour and minutes and a small seconds at 7 o’clock which has 5-second intervals marked with orange lines of differing lengths. The tapered hand on the small seconds, along with the similarly tapered hour and minute hands, are 18k white gold and filled with Super-LumiNova, as are the numbers and applied bevelled hour markers

Surrounding the dial is a titanium bezel that is made through a process of first maching a round shape with a circular bezel and then cutting six sides to create six facets, which are polished to contrast with the satin-finishing on the other parts of the bezel. This faceted bezel is on both the front and back of the watch. The band of the case has a mix of satin and polished finishing and continues the focus on shaping, with grooves. The crown at 2 o’clock has a rubber orange-coloured ring.

The C calibre is manually-wound and features a balance wheel with curved arms and calibrated eccentric weights, plus hand-assembled pallet lever that is triangular for maximum rigidity. Beating at 28,800 VPH with a power reserve of 60 hours, it is a mix of titanium, German silver, and stainless steel, with rhodium-treated gears. The most prominent feature is the grade 5 titanium bridges, which are horizontal and look ‘stepped’ shape in part thanks to a double bevelling of the edges, and raised borders, as well as a mix of finishing. The movement main plate is hand-frosted, there is circular graining on the gears and ratchet wheel, and the click, snail cam and screws with S-slot heads are polished.

The stop-seconds mechanism of the Titanium Edition Six uses a snail cam that stops the balance wheel when the crown is pulled out. When the crown is pushed back in the snail cam makes a turn, with its increasingly wide form giving the balance an impulse to help it start beating again.

Coming on a grey rubber strap with a satin-finished and polished Grade 5 titanium pin buckle, this 88-piece limited edition has “1 of 88” engraved on the back of the movement and can be yours for CHF 48,000 without taxes.

[Photo credit: Romain Gauthier]

Categories: Limited Editions, Romain Gauthier, Watch Profile, watches