Hello, today I would like to talk about the brand Lederer, which for me is a house that redefines the standards of high-end watchmaking. Before presenting one of these masterpiece limited to 25 pieces, I invite you to look back at the origins of this brand founded by Bernhard Lederer.
Before creating his brand, Bernhard Lederer was first a great watchmaker who began working as an apprentice for 3 years at the private watch museum “Abeler” in Wuppertal, then for auctions, antique dealers, and private clients. A member of the AHCI (Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants) since its creation in 1985 by Svend Andersen and Vincent Calabrese, much of his work is surrounded by secrecy due to confidentiality agreements that accompany work for Swiss watch brands.
During his career, he launched several projects before creating his own watch brand. BLU, for Bernhard Lederer Universe, in 2000, to manufacture watches with a completely different design language, with features such as rotating dials and unconventionally designed hands. Then he launched MHM, for Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie et Micromécanique, focused on the development of movements and complications, as well as restoration.
Now based in Saint-Blaise, in the suburbs of Neuchâtel, he still works behind the scenes for some of the biggest names in the industry. For his brand, he chose to demonstrate his unique watchmaking ingenuity through his “Masters of Escapement” series, a collection of 6 watches to be marketed over the next few years, each aiming to demonstrate the ultimate example of a specific form of escapement.
Having been close to George Daniels, who played a major role in his initial journey, Bernhard Lederer decided in the piece I am going to present to pay homage by working on his escapement, an independent double-wheel escapement, for the creation of a wristwatch. Drawing on nearly 40 years of experience, Bernhard Lederer has furthered the work that George Daniels initiated with his Independent Double Wheel Escapement, itself building on Breguet’s work, by providing solutions to the known weaknesses of this type of escapement. Let’s look at the watch.
What are the features of the Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer?
Case
The Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer features a 5N Rose Gold case measuring 44 mm in diameter and 12.2 mm in thickness, unfortunately very substantial on my wrist. This case, water-resistant to 3 ATM, has the particularity of having a refined profile due to its double stepped glass, which highlights the slim silhouette of this horological masterpiece. Notably, winding the movement with the crown is simply magnificent with an unusual sound and unparalleled feel.
Dial
The Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer is adorned with a fine polished bezel that maximizes the opening onto this rhodium-plated dial with several finishes. In its center, the dial is adorned with guilloché specially developed by Mr. Lederer, while on the periphery, it is finished with spherical finishes. The great particularity of this movement is that it consists of two interlaced circles forming a double opening in the shape of an eight on the dial, which brings a symbolic message of harmony, infinity, and rebirth, or luck and prosperity for other cultures. This sophistication also lies in the fact that the two second hands, each connected to its own escapement wheel, are synchronized permanently and show no deviation from each other.
Movement
The Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer houses the caliber 9012, the result of several years of research and featuring a new three-dimensional and symmetrical architecture. Designed to offer optimal precision with a Power Reserve of 38 hours, this movement establishes the most direct connection between the escapement and the balance by combining a new type of constant-force escapement with a double gear train. It has two independent and distinct gear trains, each individually powered by a remontoir d’égalité and a dedicated barrel, ending in the two high-efficiency double-impulse escapements, giving this timepiece its name, the Central Impulse Chronometer.
To optimize timekeeping precision, Bernhard Lederer installed these two escapement wheels at the end of two distinct gear trains, each with its own 10-second remontoir d’égalité. By smoothing the driving force extremely finely, optimizing the geometry of the escapement parts, lightening these energy-consuming components, and reducing escapement friction to a minimum, Bernhard Lederer achieves a degree of horological perfection rarely seen. Each watch comes with a chronometer certificate.
One of the innovations brought by the Central Impulse Chronometer lies in the use of titanium components instead of traditional steel. Lighter, they present lower inertia. Their restarts become faster and therefore less energy-consuming. This means that the impulse given by the escapement wheel to the balance is optimized and disturbances reduced, ensuring isochronism and thus, timekeeping precision.
Strap
The Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer is delivered with a fairly supple leather strap with a 5N Rose Gold pin buckle.
How much does the Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer?
The Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer is a limited series of 25 pieces and is offered at a price of CHF 136,800 (excluding VAT).
Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer: An exceptional piece of contemporary high-end watchmaking
The Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer is almost a cinematic art piece with real technical excellence, design strength, and accomplished craftsmanship. The level of finishing such as polishing, inward and outward angles, graining, engraving, satin finishing, and matte and shiny surfaces is also up to the mechanical feat that the Central Impulse Chronometer represents. Each of the brand’s creations demonstrates a strong artistic sensitivity. I think it is a very beautiful piece intended for a big collector. For me, its 44 mm case is not suitable for my wrist. You can discover this watch at Perpetuel Gallery in DIFC in Dubai. Special mention to Samantha, a wonderful person who introduced me to this piece of independent high-end watchmaking.
Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer – Watch Specifications
- Brand: Lederer
- Model: Central Impulse Chronometer
- Reference: CIC9012
- Case Material: 5N Rose Gold
- Dial: Rhodium black – Guilloché with two interlaced circles forming a figure eight opening.
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Small Seconds
- Movement: In-House 9012, Manual-Winding, 21’600vph frequency (3Hz), 45 jewels and 210 parts
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Water Resistance: 3 ATM
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Caseback: Sapphire
- Case Dimension: 44 mm (Diameter) × 12.2 mm (Thickness)
- Strap: Calfskin Leather with 5N Rose Gold Pin Buckle
- Availability: Limited edition of 25 pieces
- Retail Price: CHF 136’800 (Excluding VAT)
What do you think of this unparalleled watch? What do you think of this brand that creates horological masterpieces? Give me your humble opinion in the comments.
For more information about Lederer, click here.
