In July 2004, the CompliTime company (Robert Greubel & Stephen Forsey) contacted me to propose an unusual work.
A session is organized in La Chaux-de-Fonds, where one presents to me a prototype of the Planetarium. My mandate, if I agree, would be to assemble a similar movement in which the bridges originally in brass would be replaced by bridges in titanium.
About the covering of the Planetarium, the design is still unknown; it would be the firm Valgine & Richard Mille, who would be in charge to conceive it.
On my side, to accept or not this mandate is not an easy decision. I ask for the authorization to carry out the movement in Porrentruy, with the aim to study it in details:
The clock measures 50cm in length on 40cm in large and around thirty of height. In total it is one thousand and four hundred components of which five hundred screws.
No one could estimate a time frame for the assembly, because the conception, the production and the movement assembly took ten years. Hence, it is hard to evaluate precisely how much time I would need for this work ...
After some days of thought and many phone calls with the developer Stephen Forsey, my decision is taken, the adventure can begin.
A movement of this complexity requests some discipline and a certain organization in the work. Indeed, the number of components is high: 1400 in total, of which 79 axles, 112 wheels, and 550 screws. Furthermore, the dimensions of the clock require a good planification of the working space.
For technical reasons, I split the movement into four parts, that will correspond to the chronological order of assembly:
- the basis movement with its own platform escapement
- the central display, the seasons and the indication of the power-reserve.
- the perpetual calendar and the equation
- the central frame supporting the planets
However, all the components were still not produced, I begin the assembly with the central frame. To help me I use the prototype and three-dimensional virtual views. Indeed, each component has been delivered with its plan.
The work can begin. I adjust every screw and every stud of the Planetarium; the axles pivots of the wheels are polished, the bushes reamed, the wheels driven on their axis. The whole movement is then treated piece by piece.
I also bring some technical improvements and suggest some aesthetic changes.
In September 2005, the movement functions with its display and the central frame. However, the perpetual calendar still raises a lot of concerns.
The engraver still works on the season roller, the first version had an inappropriate design to the futurist twist of the planetarium.
Mister Dominique Guenat, director of the firm Valgine asks me if I want to assemble the covering of the Planetarium. Hence, in 2006, at the closing of the SIHH exhibition in Geneva, I meet for the first time Richard Mille at the Hôtel des Bergues and we discuss the design of the covering. Indeed, so far I did not have a precise idea about this subject.
After months of work, the assembly came to an end, I am satisfied because the clock works very well and indicates the time very precisely.
At the beginning of 2007, I become a three-dimensional view and I discover the exterior aspect of what we call the cage. A new session occurs. Afterward, Mister Philippe Schaefer, the drawer-developer is designated to discuss the problems which could arise during the assembly of the cage and its movement. He also seconds me and was the intermediary between all the craftsmen implicated in the realization of the cover: the engraver (for the planets), the glass manufacturer, the hands manufacturer, etc.
As an example, the work of the engraver, Olivier Vaucher is remarkable. He shapes our planet Earth in solid silver. It weighs 91 grams and is covered with enamel of various colors with reliefs. The Moon is also in silver with a representation of all craters. The Sun is in yellow gold covered with enamel from red to yellow through orange. Mercury is in pink gold and Venus is a natural stone.
In July 2007, I assemble the cage and finalize the last adjustment. Once the mounting finished, the Planetarium weights 44 kilos with the cage and the glasses.
At the beginning of August, the journalist Théodore Diehl, as well as the photograph Guy de Peslouan, are both mandated by Richard Mille to realize the design of promotional documents about the Planetarium. They will need four days in my workshop to prepare it. This is also an instructive experience for me.
On August 29 and by mutual agreement with Richard Mille, I organize an aperitif with the aim to gather all the firms that worked at the conception and the realization of this ambitious and challenging project.
It is for me an intense satisfaction to share these years of work. It is also satisfying for all the contributors who can finally see the Planetarium for real and not in magazines or on the internet.
However, Richard Mille and I are not totally satisfied with the front face’s aesthetics of the clock. Indeed, each face of the Planetarium is glazed and allow to admire the mechanic except the front part. All this gray mass hides the internal beauty of the prestigious Planetarium.
But the time is limited because the Planetarium will travel to Singapore, where it will be presented for its premiere at the exhibition “The Hour Glass Tempus Event”, the September 4. The aesthetic modifications are then reported to its return. I expect some supplementary hours of work.
Nowadays, I am proud to say that I assembled such an exceptional watchmaking movement. This experience was very enriching for me, from the technical point of view, as much as the relational. I am grateful to all the persons with whom I worked and trusted me. I am particularly very thankful to Richard Mille, who gave me the authorization to personally present the work I accomplished. The pictures on this website have been made on one side by Guy Peslouan and on the other side of myself.
My first public presentation during the Salon Belles Montres in Paris.
Three days continuously in front of visitors to explain the functioning of this nice mechanic.
My friends Stephen Forsey and Robert Greubel were also there and presented their new models on their stand.
February 2008, Richard Mille asks me if I would agree to go to Tokyo to present the Planetarium in his shop in Ginza.
Eleven days of happiness where I discover Japan for the first time.
The inhabitants are very friendly and appreciate the nice mechanic.
An unforgettable moment
In May 2008, I went to Moscow during four days. A fast tour of the capital and a presentation in a luxury shop with multi-brands, Louvre.
At the end of November, two days in Dubaï. Residence at the Atlantis Hotel. Presentation on midday at the Westin Hotel in a large room. Then the Planetarium will be moved outside for a VIP evening on the beach.
After Dubai, we leave for Doha in Qatar. It is the last presentation of the year at the Four Seasons Hotel.
A La Clinique Horlogère
Rue du Creugenat 29
2900 Porrentruy
Tél +41 32 466 14 86
info@cliniquehorlogere.ch
