Hello, today I would like to talk about an independent watchmaker I discovered during a talk on the Clubhouse app during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is the watchmaker, creator, and artist Raul Pagès. Before introducing his piece that won the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for its first edition, let me introduce the man behind this achievement.
Based in his workshop in Les Brenets, Switzerland, Raul is a watchmaker (constructor and restorer) who obtained his diploma as a restorer of antique watches in 2005, followed by a diploma in watch complication construction at CIFOM in Le Locle in 2006. For over 15 years, he worked on restoring horological masterpieces belonging to the most prestigious collections in the world before wanting to create his own universe, combining tradition and modernity.
In 2012, he decided to set up his own business to entirely handcraft the “Tortue Automaton“. Building on this experience, he embarked on the production of a limited series of 10 pieces “Soberly Onyx,” his first timepiece, in 2016. A year later, he became a member of the Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI).
It was only a few years later that he presented the “Régulateur à détente RP1“, an exceptional watch inspired by historical precision regulators, which were the mothers of all clocks, offering unparalleled readability thanks to their distinct displays for hours, minutes, seconds, and above all, extreme precision. Entirely manufactured in-house, this watch won the first edition of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives in 2024. In addition to this distinction, Raul Pagès also received a prize of €150’000 and mentorship offering marketing, legal, and strategic support within the Fabrique du Temps, LVMH’s watchmaking house in Switzerland. Now, let’s take an in-depth look at this watch.
What are the features of the Pagès Régulateur à détente RP1?
Case
The Pagès Régulateur à détente RP1 features a steel case measuring 38.5 mm in diameter and 10.9 mm in thickness. Presenting a mix of satin-finished and polished surfaces, the case has lugs fixed to the case middle by beveled and polished screws. Overall, this case is very easy to wear thanks to its contained size. Its design, with the presence of a “cheminée” sapphire crystal, brings a sense of three-dimensionality to the piece.
Dial
The Pagès Régulateur à détente RP1 is adorned with a dial inspired by the works of Le Corbusier, featuring a refreshing mix of textures and colors. As a regulator, it displays the time divided into three distinct indications with their own design. From top to bottom, we have the hour display, then the minute indication in the center, followed by the small seconds at 6 o’clock.
Movement
The Pagès Régulateur à détente RP1 houses a brand-new manual-winding precision movement with a pivoted detent escapement and an anti-gallop system. This movement miniaturizes the detent escapement to fit into a wristwatch. The entire movement, composed of 171 components, has been finished according to Haute Horlogerie standards and can be admired through the sapphire crystal case back. Operating at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5Hz), it offers a power reserve of 47 hours.
Throughout most of its cycle, the movement’s balance oscillates back and forth without interruption. The only “interference” with its oscillations is the moment of impulse, which occurs once per cycle instead of twice in a Swiss lever escapement. The Régulateur à détente RP1 is equipped with a patented system that prevents the escape wheel from leaving the rest position when the watch receives a shock. To achieve this, the detent is equipped with a beak that cooperates with a third plate on the balance axis. In case of a shock, the detent’s beak rests on the plate, preventing the escapement from galloping.
Strap
The Pagès Régulateur à détente RP1 comes with two leather straps with a stainless steel pin buckle engraved with Pagès, one black (as shown in the photos) and the other beige with light blue stitching.
How much does the Pagès Régulateur à détente RP1?
The Pagès Régulateur à détente RP1 is offered at a price of 85,000 CHF excluding taxes, knowing that Raul Pagès has a production capacity of 4 to 5 watches per year.
Pagès Régulateur à détente RP1: A classic horological watch with a contemporary vision
The Pagès Régulateur à détente RP1 is a very refined piece. Deceptively simple in its design, it contains numerous details that enhance this piece. Seeing a detent escapement regulator watch is uncommon and quite rare, mainly due to the complexity of their construction, adjustment, and fragility. This type of watch is considered a pinnacle in the art of precision chronometry and serves as a source of inspiration for some highly skilled independent watchmakers. To summarize, this watch is not just about the movement; its qualities seem global, as demonstrated by the construction of the case and the work done on the dial and hands. I would like to thank Raul for his availability and this simple exchange.
Pagès Régulateur à détente RP1 – Watch Specifications
- Brand: Pagès
- Model: Régulateur à détente RP1
- Case Material: 316L Stainless Steel
- Dial: Sandblasted, Diamond and Nickel-Plated Dial, Black Nickel-Plated Minutes Flange, Diamond-Polished, Circular-Grained and Rhodium Plated Hours Flange, Seconds dial Matt Lacquered, Cerulean Blue 59
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds
- Movement: In-House, Manual-Winding, 18’000vph frequency (2.5Hz), 17 jewels and 171 parts
- Power Reserve: 47 hours
- Water Resistance: 3 ATM
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Caseback: Sapphire
- Case Dimension: 38.5 mm (Diameter) × 10.2 mm (Thickness)
- Strap: Leather
- Retail Price: CHF 85’000 (Excluding VAT)
What do you think of regulator watches? Do you prefer watches with a more futuristic design? Give me your opinion in the comments.
For more information about Pagès, click here.
