Historical pieces

C3H5N3O9

C3H5N3O9 (the chemical formula of Nitroglycerine) is a platform created by Felix Baumgartner, Maximilian Büsser, Martin Frei and Serge Kriknoff to experiment with concepts, ideas and creations without the inherent constraints of a luxury brand.

About

At first glance the time appears to be indicated by centrally rotating triangular rotors; however, the triangles are actually Reuleaux polygons; they rotate eccentrically rather than centrally and track complex epitrochroid curves rather than circles. The system was inspired by the Wankel engine, which features orbital Reuleaux polygon rotors rather than the reciprocating pistons that power the majority of our cars and machines today.

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Insights

The case

The case is made of Zirconium which is highly resistant to corrosion. This material is rarely used in watchmaking due to the extreme requirements involved in machining this high-risk material.

The curves

The Reuleaux polygon rotors tracing epitrochoid curves create the complex shape of the hour and minute curves with high precision required the plotting of 180 separate points.

The indications

Hours and minutes are indicated with two Wankel engine-inspired eccentric rotating Reuleaux polygons : hours by the lower rotor along the front of the 'dial', minutes by the smaller upper rotor.

Specifications

Case

Case in

Zirconium or Black Zirconium

Diameter

55mm x 44mm

Glasses

Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment

Water resistance

Pressure tested to 3 ATM
Movement

Calibre

Manual winding

Power reserve

39 hours

Frequency

4Hz

Jewels

42
Indications

Indications

Hours and minutes indicated by two Wankel engine-inspired / Reuleaux polygon rotors tracing epitrochoid curves / Power reserve indicator at the back
Controls

Controls

Two-position winding crown

C3H5N3O9

The case

The curves

The indications

Case

Movement

Indications

Controls