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Horological Meandering

What it does

 
 By: MTF : April 16th, 2013-11:44
Andrew,

It is subtle.
As you know, Cyrus watches have been priced at the high end until now, mostly because of their high degree of detail, complicated mechanisms and their client demographic. They had 2 product lines: the stratospheric Klepcys (moon or planet displays) and the entry-level Kuros (chronograph).

This new Kambys line is mid-way in price point but has an "in-house" movement, unlike the entry Kuros watches. 
Is there such a thing as "affordable luxury"?

Technical details


MOVEMENT

Manufacture movement (CAL 7778)
Developed in collaboration with Jean-François Mojon
Manual winding (using the crown at 3 o’clock)
Double barrel
290 components, 50 rubies
Frequency: 3Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour)

DIAMETER: 50 mm (including the two crowns)

DIAL: No dial

FUNCTIONS:

Hours, minutes, seconds
Power reserve
Secret animation


HOURS/MINUTES In the centre

SECONDS

In the 7–8 o’clock position
Three hands with three arms of different lengths to cover the three sectors of 120°.
Each hand (inclined by 8°) passes over to the next every 20 seconds (0 -> 20 sec. / 20 -> 40 sec. / 40 -> 0
sec.).

POWER RESERVE

In the 1–5 o’clock position. Length: 7 days (minimum).
Three barrels slide progressively, one after the other, along a vertical axis.
The two smaller cylinders each represent two days of power reserve. The third barrel represents three days.

SECRET ANIMATION

In the 9–12 o’clock position
With a simple press on the crown at the 9 o’clock position, the following elements are displayed in the opening:
‐ CYRUS logo
‐ the number of the piece
‐ Cyrus coin (a 2,500-year-old coin, made during the reign of CYRUS THE GREAT)
Option to personalize animation.


CROWN AT 3 O’CLOCK:

2 positions:
- Winding
- Setting time

Stop second function when stem is pulled out.

CROWN AT 9 O’CLOCK

Displays the following on demand: Cyrus logo/serial number/Cyrus coin (or other personalized element)


BRACELET Anti-allergic rubber. Adjustable size. Openwork design with moving barrels, echoing the
power reserve of the watch itself.

CLASP Triple folding, titanium

SPECIAL FEATURES - LIMITED EDITION (188 pieces/model)
- Titanium/Black DLC titanium and red gold case
‐ The number of the in-house calibre bears the distinctive mark of the two original founders (and creators of the KAMBYS collection): 7778, recalling the two years of the cousins’ birth. Laurent LECAMP (1977) and Julien LECAMP (1978)
‐ Transparent sapphire crystal case showcasing visible movement.
‐ Each element of the design has been created internally by CYRUS (back cover, hands...)
‐ The first piece in this collection (a personalized piece) will be donated to the ONLY WATCH charity auction.

 

 

This message has been edited by MTF on 2013-04-16 11:58:14

Maybe lost on me...

 
 By: andrewluff : April 16th, 2013-12:53
But what is so daring? The disc on the top left rotates around in 3 positions showing nothing particularly useful... Am I being harsh? At least put one as a hidden date or power reserve or something. Whats with the cam drive look on the right side, does it have a function or the one on the strap?

Don't get me wrong, its kinda cool but not that unique as Graham has already said and based on the writeup thought it would do something special.  I love my klepsys for being different and the various unique ideas and functions this hmmm the jury is out on this one...

Cheers
Andrew

Understand the cam drive part now...

 
 By: andrewluff : April 16th, 2013-13:16
I re-read again as was lost as the top part of the technical specs it said 2 barrels but on the power reserve part it says 3 barrels... and yes can clearly see 3.  But what about the part on the strap, any function?

Any price announced on it?

Cheers
Andrew







You may not have been the target demographic

 
 By: MTF : April 16th, 2013-20:13
Andrew,

As a Klepcys owner, you know the design motifs and thought process at Cyrus.
They went for the very niche high end first. Privately, we may discuss the reasons for their penetration into the UHNW market.

They went the other way with outsourced movements but retained some of the Cyrus 'look' for the Kuros range at (relatively) "affordable" entry point. Some customers complained it did not have a Cyrus movement.

Your reaction exemplifies a third of the expected reactions. One third will love Kambys because it has a Cyrus handwind movement and  minor quirky complication.....actually 3 displays of 3 items:
1) 3-sector seconds display with 3 faux-retrograde hands.
2) 3 barrel power reserve display with 3 sets of indicators.
3) 3 selectable dial logo and one of those can be customised.

One third will hate it for being unexciting compared to the flagship Klepcys.

One third will have no idea what to think since they don't move in Cyrus circles. smile


Personally, based only on the prototype, I understand the concept of in-house movement with quirky simple 'complications'. It gives them a chance to refine their movement portfolio so now they have automatic and manual base movements for the future. The real complications can come in future when the economy picks up.

I maintain that the true measure of luxury is the ability to make a choice. Some may see it as "tacky" or harking back to when we wore our designer labels outside our clothes. Kabys lets you choose what logo (or your personal monogram) to show on the dial. You can even customise to show Nothing. It can be a conversation piece and the hostesses in Tokyo bars will love it!

But seriously, I am neither endorsing nor dissing this watch.....yet. 

I am intrigued but undecided because I am not an owner of a Cyrus watch. If I had the other two models, this may join the brand collection. As a wannabe owner, it does provide an affordable (relative term) entry to Cyrus Watch but with a Cyrus movement. For the lower entry point with everything Cyrus except the movement.....there is the Kuros...especially for chronograph collectors.

Finally, the 'beads' on the strap have no mechanical function. They just utilise the design motif from the power reserve display.  You can move them with your finger.......what do they remind you of?  Remember the target customers and the background of the main investor at Cyrus   smile

Regards,
MTF



This message has been edited by MTF on 2013-04-16 20:30:05