CW |INNOVATION


with the single pusher movement he had developed at Lang & Heyne for the aforementioned King Albert single pusher chronograph. What really excited him about the Unitas


project, however, was his belief that it could be extensively improved both mechanically and aesthetically in order to create a superbly clean and functional wristwatch - and one which would also offer instant appeal to horophiles due to the fact that the mechanics of the movement could be clearly seen and understood. Jahnke did not, however, want to realise this new mechanism entirely alone and it is for that reason that he sought the collaboration of Fillon, whose knowledge of creating and manufacturing parts for chronograph movements had become the stuff of legend.


below left; The C900 Single Pusher Chronograph presents a clean and classic dial, below right; Easy legibility characterises the continuous seconds sub-dial and 30-minute totaliser, far right; The exhibition back allows the individual function of each component to be seen each time the pusher is pressed


The prospect of working with such an industry veteran could have been daunting for Jahnke, who is Fillon's junior by more than half a century, but the old hand instantly recognised the abilities and talent of the younger man who quickly came to affectionately refer to his mentor as 'opi' or 'grandpa'. Working together, the pair deconstructed the


Unitas base and effectively re-designed its chronograph function with hand-drawn, annotated sketches that enabled Jahnke to then reconstruct the module using a CAD programme. The result was an extensively reworked movement with a new main plate, bridges, winding mechanism, centre and second wheels.


A swan neck adjustment system was added and a clean, uncluttered dial designed at the Christopher Ward studio that allows for the inclusion of a continuous seconds sub-dial and a 30-minute totaliser.


Inverting the watch, however, reveals the beauty of the new movement in all its glory. A wide transparent case back allows the function of each component to be seen from the instant the single pushpiece is depressed to activate the clutch, sliding gear and intermediate wheel which engage the minute counter. Press the pusher again and the clutch separates, a brake lever is activated and the minute counter instantly stops.


“The C900 Single Pusher Chronograph is


beyond question our most complicated watch to date and will make an entirely new level of sophistication accessible to more people than ever before because of the unique Christopher Ward value equation,” explains Chris Ward. “However, it’s the magnificence of the movement that really moves me. I was completely transfixed when I first saw what Johannes had accomplished and I don’t mind admitting that I almost cried with a combination of joy and pride. We may produce even more complicated watches in the future but the C900 will always be a very special watch for me.” The C900 SP 'owner's club' will not, however,


be a crowded one. Due to the complexity of its movement, just 250 examples of the C900 SP, in this form, will be available worldwide, at £2450.


12 Orderline 0844 875 1515


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