ArtyA unveils a new watch, the Purity ‘Stairway To Heaven’ HMS Wavy
This GPHG nominated watch introduces ArtyA’s new time-only movement and their new Wavy case design. Its openworked movement architecture “celebrates transparency and lightness.” It is a limited edition of 99 pieces.
ArtyA Watch Days: August 29 until September 2, 2024.
“ArtyA unveils an exceptional timepiece with the PURITY ‘Stairway To Heaven’ HMS Wavy, a brilliant tribute to purity and simplicity.”
ArtyA, a Geneva based independent timepiece brand, has unveiled the Purity ‘Stairway To Heaven’ HMS Wavy. This new hours-minutes-seconds timepiece introduces a new time-only movement, “featuring three hands and an openworked architecture that celebrates transparency and lightness.” It also debuts ArtyA’s new Wavy case design, a creation of Jérémie Arpa, son of Yvan and Dominique Arpa. Yvan Arpa, a former maths teacher, founded the ArtyA in 2009. Dominique Arpa beings her artistic talent and abilities to the brand, especially in creating unique dials.
The Purity ‘Stairway To Heaven’ HMS Wavy is nominated for the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix or Grand Prix de l’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) awards under the Men’s Category. The GPHG awards ceremony will be held at the Théâtre Du Léman in Geneva on November 13, 2024. The GPHG awards are the equivalent to the Oscars for the world of horology.
Key Features
Functions
The Purity ‘Stairway To Heaven’ HMS Wavy’s functions include:
– Central hours, minutes, and seconds.
Movement
The Purity ‘Stairway To Heaven’ HMS Wavy’s movement features include:
– It is powered by ArtyA’s new manual-winding manufacture movement, that powers the hours, minutes, and seconds.
– It beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph or 4 Hz.
– It has a minimum power reserve of 72 hours, because of its two parallel mounted barrels.
– Six key movement features, finishing, and architecture – in the brand’s own words – include:
“Two redesigned barrels, equipped with longer and finer springs, work in parallel. This ensures a smoother unwinding, which translates into a more stable and linear energy release. Visually, their curves perfectly complement those of the movement’s prominent bridges.”
“Center stage: the escapement – a true rock star in the spotlight. Suspended in mid-air (hence the name ‘Stairway To Heaven’), it oscillates at 4Hz, creating a powerful aerial spectacle.”
“The balance wheel has been reduced in size to optimize its chronometric performance. The microgram-weighted regulating screws are arranged in an inverted, mirrored symmetry to compensate for the spiral’s inertia.”
“The arched plates, beveled by hand, take on unprecedented shapes. They are neither juxtaposed nor adjacent, but directly nested to clear the space needed for the regulating organ.”
“Extreme skeletonization characterizes every component, creating visual anchors that blur the lines between form and function. It demands uncompromising precision in matching and perfect alignment.”
“The spiral adjustment is performed in the traditional manner to meet the expectations of discerning clients who appreciate the measure of bespokeness and the skill and precision involved.”
Case
The Purity ‘Stairway To Heaven’ HMS Wavy’s case features include:
– Its case is made of sapphire crystal.
– Its case diameter is 40 mm and case thickness is 13 mm.
– Its case back is made of sapphire crystal, screwed into the main sapphire crystal case.
– It is water resistant up to 30 metres.
– The hours and minute hands are sword-shaped and feature both a brushed and diamond-cut finish.
– The hour and minute markers that encircle the outer case (as the case “is the dial” in this timepiece) are laser-engraved inside the upper crystal. This “new chapter ring” improves the transparency of the timepiece; “it offers both perfect legibility and an unobstructed view of the movement.”
– It comes with a black nubuck leather strap, with an exclusive ArtyA designed buckle, with or without black PVD treatment depending on customer’s preference.
“The watch’s lines evoke the elegance and majesty of a powerful ocean wave running along its flank.”
“Wavy manifests this through a fluid, organic visual language that mirrors the natural grace and force of the sea. It is reflected in the contours of the case, where each arc is carefully sculpted to create an impression of perpetual flux. The design goes beyond simple curviness; it blends softly undulating lines to suggest a state of flow, evoking the mesmerizing and unpredictable nature of water.”
“The case designed by the young artist (Jérémie Arpa) captures this essence with particular elegance. The slightly domed surface and flowing transitions between the different parts of the watch recall the way waves form and move across the sea. The watch’s curves reach beyond their own intrinsic aesthetics to create a unique play of light on the sapphire crystal, reflecting nuances and shadows in a way that echoes the shimmering surface of water.”
Our Thoughts
When we think of timepiece cases, we imagine materials such as stainless-steel, precious metals such as rose, yellow and white gold, and titanium. Rarely does one think of a sapphire case. ArtyA began crafting cases from sapphire in 2016, one of the first timepiece brands to do so. For them it is a necessary material. A timepiece crafted from sapphire provides “perfect transparency” and allows one to view its mechanical movement from all angles. Sapphire is an exceptionally hard crystal – “third-hardest natural material after diamond and moissanite on the Mohs scale” – and hence is extremely shock resistance. It is also highly resistant to scratches. Both these features guarantee its “durability and longevity.”
ArtyA’s Purity ‘Stairway To Heaven’ HMS Wavy combines a complex sapphire case, showcasing an haute-horology manual-wind movement, fully visible from all angles. Based on images and supporting information, the movement is finished to an extremely high level. The Purity ‘Stairway To Heaven’ HMS Wavy is not every horology enthusiasts or collectors “cup of tea,” but it does push the boundaries of what we believe is possible. For the collector who loves independent watchmaking, appreciates bold, innovative, and unconventional timepieces, the Purity ‘Stairway To Heaven’ HMS Wavy is for him or her. It is purely for the love of horology. We at The Cornea Impression cannot wait to see it in the flesh and do a hands-on review.
Additional Details
Name: ArtyA’s Purity ‘Stairway To Heaven’ HMS Wavy
Price:
Swiss Franc (CHF): 44,900 (reference price)
Euro (EUR) 46,300 (subject to exchange rate)
United States Dollar (USD) 49,700 (subject to exchange rate)
It is a limited series of 99 pieces. Please contact ArtyA Geneva is interested.
ArtyA Watch Days
The ArtyA Watch Days coincide exactly with Geneva Watch Days. For those attending Geneva Watch Days, it is a fantastic opportunity to visit ArtyA’s Boutique and see the the Purity ‘Stairway To Heaven’ HMS Wavy, along with their other timepieces and collections. These include the GPHG nominated – Curvy Purity Tourbillon Ruby, nominated for Tourbillon Category. The Purity Central Tourbillon Blue, nominated for Men’s Complication Category will be launched after summer.
Please contact b.borjon@artya.com if interested to visit ArtyA’s Boutique during ArtyA Watch Days.
3
