Hello, today, on this sunny weekend, I would like to talk to you about Artime that I had the opportunity to meet for the first time at Geneva Watch Week 2024. Before introducing their new release this year, I would like to tell you about the people behind this young independent brand.
Created in 2021, Artime is the result of a collaborative effort among watchmaking professionals: Fabrice Deschanel, Claude Emmenegger, Stéphane Maturel, Didier Bretin, Emmanuel Jutier, and Manuel Thomas, pooling their expertise and experience to create this brand. Located in Les Brenets, in the Swiss Jura mountains, Artime promotes a horizontal governance principle with a desire to share and express their art to the fullest.
To introduce themselves in the watchmaking landscape, the brand presented its inaugural model, the Artime ART01, with a white gold movement suspended inside a titanium and sapphire case. This year, the brand returns with a second limited edition of this same model, even more impressive. Here, the white gold and titanium components have been replaced with equivalents made from red gold, grey gold, and NAC. The watch showcases a renewed aesthetic, highlighting its unique architecture and cutting-edge performance. Let’s move on to the watch.
What are the features of the Artime ART01-5N?
Case
The Artime ART01-5N features an intriguing case made of 5N Red Gold and Sapphire. Water-resistant to 5 ATM, this case measures 42 mm in diameter and 11.4 mm in thickness, offering the same dimensions as its titanium predecessor. Notably, with the absence of lugs, the slightly bulky case for my average-sized wrist naturally rests on the curvature of the wrist.
Dial
The Artime ART01-5N is devoid of a dial, allowing a superbly crafted movement to take center stage with an alternation of materials. Indeed, this movement includes red gold, yellow gold, white gold, and NAC, providing a lot of contrast and depth.
Movement
The Artime ART01-5N houses a Manual Winding movement that is very airy and made of several precious alloys like gold and NAC. Rather than being a movement installed in a case, the Artime ART01-5N is designed as a fully integrated structure.
In addition to serving as the base for its complex sapphire sandwich-style case, the lower section in rose gold that forms the lugs also acts as the mainplate for the movement. Sandblasting, stretching, flank cutting, beveling: the surface finishes are meticulously crafted, reflecting a commitment to excellence both internally and externally.
Offering an 80-hour Power Reserve and a frequency of 3Hz, this three-dimensional calibre is equipped with a double balance spring tourbillon and is controlled by a function selector that replaces the traditional crown. Without needing to pull it out, a simple pusher activates the selector to switch between neutral mode, winding, and time setting, identifiable via a satellite indicator passing under the sapphire discs marked N, R, and H.
Strap
The Artime ART01-5N comes with a rubber strap imitating the texture of woven fabric, complemented by a Velcro closure and a 5N Red Gold retaining loop. Available in deep anthracite and chocolate brown shades, this strap enhances the overall wearability and adds a sporty touch to this timepiece.
How much does the Artime ART01-5N?
The Artime ART01-5N is a limited series of 20 pieces offered for sale at a price of CHF 225,000 (excluding VAT).
Artime ART01-5N: An exceptional piece that captures the essence of contemporary luxury
The Artime ART01-5N pushes the boundaries of traditional watchmaking to offer a unique experience to its wearers. Its case construction is very intriguing, and its function selector system reminds me of the automotive world that I love so much. Although designed for daily use, I did not find this watch very comfortable, perhaps due to its rather massive case. The price is justified, although I imagine it will be difficult to position in this price segment against more renowned brands. I do not know the vision of this brand, but this first model has significant assets that should be retained for future creations. I wanted to thank Didier Bretin and Emmanuel Jutier for taking me into the Artime universe for a moment.
Artime ART01-5N – Watch Specifications
- Brand: Artime
- Model: ART01-5N
- Case Material: Red gold
- Dial: Hyceram ceramic chapter ring – hands with Hyceram ceramic – white luminescent material with blue luminescence
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Small Seconds, Function Selector Settings: N = Neutral; R = Remontage (Winding), H = Heure (Setting the time)
- Movement: Manual Winding, 21’600vph frequency (3 Hz), 25 jewels and 261 parts
- Power Reserve: 80 Hours
- Water Resistance: 5 ATM
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Caseback: Sapphire
- Case Dimension: 42 mm (Diameter) × 11.4 mm (Thickness)
- Strap: Textured Rubber with Red Gold Folding Buckle
- Availability : Limited edition of 20 pieces
- Retail Price: CHF 225’000 (Excluding VAT)
Do you like the design and the project behind this brand? Let me know in the comments section.
For more information about Artime, click here.
