Atelier de Chronometrie Independent Watchmakers

gadalex · 2023-02-23T13:06:57Z

Explore Atelier de Chronometrie's new calibre M284 through gadalex's exclusive visit. See stunning hand-finishing and design insights from the Barcelona workshop.

gadalex

WPS member · Independents forum

24 replies5941 views0 photos

In this insightful post, gadalex (Baruch) offers an exclusive look into Atelier de Chronometrie (AdC) following his recent visit to their Barcelona workshop. His detailed account and exceptional photography provide a rare glimpse into the independent watchmaker's latest developments, including the new calibre M284. Baruch's unique perspective, honed from years of photographing haute horlogerie, highlights the meticulous finishing and design philosophy that define AdC's creations.

My wife and I were in Barcelona for a few days and, as per a cancelled trip from 2 years ago, I contacted Santi at AdC for a visit. Last time we had met was back in 2018 at the now defunct Salon QP show in London where I photographed 4 of their watches side by side.

On this occasion we had a general conversation along with the only watchmaker now working at the atelier, Eduard, about the direction the small workshop is going in, including the production of a handful of chronographs and some other projects that are probably not known publicly yet so I will not disclose them here (I didn't actually ask Santi about what parts of the conversation I could mention, but it's best to err on the side of silence).

The latest watch (photographs below), no.22, is the prototype of the new AdC calibre M284, designed with the expertise of Luca Soprano. Overall design follows on stylistically from previous watches and the 37.5mm stainless steel case is modestly sized with a fantastic 7mm diameter crown (there will be a 35mm case option with this movement as well: 13 watches with the new movement have been ordered and the waiting list is now around 3 years).

As is the norm now with independent watchmaking, plenty of further processes are being brought in house, for example, in the area of dial making.

Over the years I have photographed some of the finest Geneva stripes including my top three: Mortiz Grossmann, Dufour and Daniel Roth under the Jean Daniel Nicolas name. The finishing work on this movement ranks up there and the three dimensionality of the stripes is some of the best I have seen.

Please enjoy the watch for now and if you have any questions, I may have some answers!

(Note: all image have been cropped from full frame images to 1 x 1 and my lighting options were limited so apologies if these aren't perfect, although they are the first live images outside of the workshop's photos).

Regards,

Baruch

Key Points from the Discussion

The three-dimensionality and depth of the hand-finishing, particularly the Geneva stripes, are exceptionally captured in the photographs, making the intricate details almost tangible.
The movement's finishing appears excellent, reinforcing the enduring demand for watches produced with traditional hand-finishing techniques that machines cannot replicate.
The movement features impressive anglage on the plates and a notably large, slow-beat balance wheel, indicating a focus on traditional horological aesthetics and performance.
The author's photography is highly regarded within the community, with some members even owning framed prints of his watch photographs.

The Discussion

jmpTT

Feb 23, 2023

The finishing of the movement appears to be excellent, though I am not an expert. Thank you for sharing these photos. As long as machines are unable to match the results of hand finishing, there will always be demand for watches produced using traditional techniques.

Spangles - Dr. Tabby

Feb 23, 2023

I hope your article on Frodsham will see the light of day! Two of your framed prints adorn my bathroom and were perhaps the first warning to my now fiancée about my watch problem, I mean interest!

fmc000

Feb 23, 2023

... made me jump off my chair. My goodness, this is just fantastic.

gadalex

Feb 23, 2023

With regards the article, if you remember the Nicholas Cage film, Adaptation, that charts the difficulties of writing the script for the film itself (very meta), then it's more likely that the article will eventually turn out to be written about the painful process of writing the article... Glad you are BOTH enjoying the photos. That Frodsham caseback image is one of my personal favourites!

Jp75

Feb 23, 2023

Hi Baruch, Amazing pictures of an amazing watch! Was reading what you wrote about the „three dimensionality“ and hand-finishing but these words really take a true significance when looking at your pictures. In spite of my aging eyes, these photos make me want to reach and feel if the Geneva stripes are microns deep or centimeters deep. Again, many thanks for the amazing pictures of a än amazing watch! 🙏 Cheers, Jérôme

patrick_y

Feb 23, 2023

Nice anglage on the plates and a gigantic slow beat balance wheel! Looks delicious! Thanks for sharing! Now I have another reason to visit Barcelona!

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Atelier de Chronometrie Independent Watchmakers

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