Like most authors/bloggers I spend an enormous amount of my time trying to find products that will resonate with my readers. Originally when I started writing about watches a few years ago the main source of inspiration are labels like MB & F, Urwerk, DeBethune etc. Certainly these watchmakers are pioneering and have made the horological landscape very exciting. However, the price point is well beyond most people’s budgets and they only produce a limited amount of models a year. Fortunately, for the consumer there are several distinctive and more affordable options. A great example is MUSE who have just unveiled a great collection of ‘Swiss Art Watches’ (Stella, Stella-S, Akylon, Tanoura, Kagura).
As a veteran of the Swiss watch industry it is fair to say that Frédéric Leuba Rosa definitely knows his stuff. Previously he has work for large groups like Richemont and is an expert watchmaker. This has been a crucially element in cofounding his brand Muse with business partner and technical expert Pascal Robert. What instantly inspired me about Frédéric and Pascal is their innovative approach to designing fine timepieces. Instead of following the predictable generic path they have aspired to to do something different.
As an artist and designer I am always striving to create something aesthetically unique. Certainly I feel Frédéric Leuba Rosa and Pascal Robert have achieved this with his visually bold ‘Swiss Art Watches’. Essentially the concept is framed around geometric patterns that form a type of art in motion. Within the collection there are a range of interesting dials composed of Onyx, Aventurine, Mother of pearl and Jasper. These really give them a high quality appearance normally reserved for much more expensive timepieces. Another massive highlight for me is the architecturally sculpted 37mm and 44mm titanium hexagonal cases. Time is displayed via various different size rotating discs.
Powering the watches is a refined Swiss made automatic movement. The Calibre MU 01 comprises 25-jewels and oscillates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3Hz). This exquisite mechanism is hand decorated (circular graining, “côtes circulaires”) and is visible through the sapphire crystal exhibition case back. Functionally the timepieces feature hours, minutes and seconds. They also have a power reserve of 48 hours and are water resistant to a depth of 50 metres.
For more information about MUSE – Swiss Art Watches and their Kickstarter campaign follow this link
