Because the begin of MONOCHROME nearly twenty years in the past, we’ve got come a really good distance. By means of nearly 10,000 articles, we’ve got introduced you among the most wonderful watches from all corners of the world. Regardless of the actual fact we at all times publish our tales in English and work with a global group, we’re of Dutch origin, one thing you’re in all probability nicely conscious of. So it’s at all times a really satisfying second once we can share one thing watch-related coming from our small however proud nation. And boy, do we’ve got one thing for you lined up right now! Michiel Holthinrichs and his small group of artisans have cooked up one thing very, very particular; the first-ever Dutch-made serially produced mechanical watch motion! Making its worldwide debut, that is the extremely sculptural Holthinrichs Nouveau Decoration!
3D-printed pioneer
To briefly remind you who Michiel Holthinrichs is, and what he does, we return to 2016, the yr he based his personal watchmaking atelier. Because the son of an artist and automotive engineer, plus being skilled as an architect, he’s at all times had a eager sense of design, styling and decorative parts in buildings, furnishings, automobiles, clothes and so forth. Initially Michiel is from the jap elements of the Netherlands, near the German border, however he moved to Delft for his research and easily by no means left.
The Decoration in 3D printed 18k rose gold…
and 3D printed platinum.
Delft is a historic metropolis within the Netherlands, identified for being a hub for craftsmanship for a lot of many years, centuries even. It’s additionally dwelling to the world’s main College of Know-how and a breading floor for technological innovation. Throughout Michiel’s research, he began servicing and promoting classic watches, to study extra concerning the artwork of watchmaking. This mix, alongside along with his meticulous seek for perfection finally resulted within the basis of Holthinrichs Watches.
The Holthinrichs RAW Bronze…
… and it’s copper motion.
By means of his eponymous atelier, Michiel’s distinctive imaginative and prescient of an architectural timepiece turned a actuality, and within the course of, he turned a pioneer in 3D printing within the area of watches. His debut piece was the Decoration, which had an intricately designed case, a hand-wound Peseux motion and comparatively easy but elegant closed dials.
Over time issues progressed into the primary 3D-printed gold and platinum watches, a extra outspoken RAW model using the distinctive floor left on the outside of the case after printing and so forth. In 2021, celebrating 5 years of impartial watchmaking he launched the fairly delectable Uncooked Bronze with a 3D-printed bronze case, a singular patinated dial and an extensively upgraded model of the Peseux 7001, with skeletonized copper bridges and ample quantities of hand ending. Spurred on by shoppers and a relentless pursuit of perfection, issues advanced into the Liminality sequence the place Michiel envisioned the fleeting moments proper after a catastrophic affect.
The PreLiminality and Liminality served because the stepping stone for the DECONSTRUCTED, which options an intricately redesigned case, and a dial made up of 25 individually completed parts. However what stood out most of all was the Geiger-esque look it had, due to the absolutely 3D-printed titanium bracelet, full with folding buckle and built-in quick-release springs.
Then, taking one more step in new instructions, we just lately realized concerning the new entry-level assortment set to switch the entire Decoration saga; the non-limited Signature Collection (see above) and the 30-piece limited-edition Signature LAB. However the group wasn’t performed but, because it was constructing as much as the launch of the aptly named Decoration Nouveau.
nouveau beginnings
Now that we’ve coated the historical past of Holthinrichs up to now, it’s time to take a look at the brand new watch. For anybody who ever talked to Michiel personally, it ought to come as no shock he’s at all times dreamed of making his personal motion. Not merely adapting one thing off the shelf (though nothing flawed with that!) however a real serially developed and produced manufacture motion made within the Netherlands. It’s been within the making since 2017, and eventually, the Nouveau Decoration delivers what was envisioned from the start, after which some!
For as soon as I don’t wish to begin with the case, irrespective of how wonderful it could look. As a substitute, the point of interest must be the motion clearly. I wish to emphasize that the HW-M02 calibre is a real first. We’ve seen just a few one-off Dutch-made actions (lower than a handful), however at all times in 100% bespoke watches by Machiel Hulsman. In fact, Tim and Bart Grönefeld instantly come to thoughts as nicely, and though the Horological Brothers end and assemble their actions within the Netherlands, they’re produced in Switzerland.
The Nouveau Decoration makes use of the natural design codes present in his earlier watches to construct a motion utilizing sculpted chrome steel bridges and plates that circulation out and in, up and down, and left to proper. In the event you look carefully on the two barrels and their bridges, or the curvaceous mirrored bridges over the keyless works and geartrain, you may’t assist however discover a placing symmetry. And it doesn’t cease there, because the HW-M02 motion additionally options an in-house made and designed Swiss Lever escapement with a free-sprung variable inertia stability wheel. That is suspended beneath the so-called Holthinbridge, a 3D sculpted bridge machined from glass. Rubies are set in gold chatons, two of them screwed, and all the things is meticulously completed by hand utilizing conventional methods and instruments.
The motion is surrounded by a grade 5 titanium ring with a curved profile and notches as hour markers. Its time indications are diminished to hours and minutes solely, with hand-finished chrome steel arms. Each are completed with a broad bevelled edge on the blades, an openworked part down the backbone, and linear brushing on the highest floor.
The ultimate speaking piece, however one to not be missed, is the so-called Eclipse Dial. This can be a distinctive domed clear dial that turns into smoke-black beneath UV gentle. That signifies that throughout your day, the look of your watch modifications from having a nearly strong dial (by look), to no dial in any respect and all the things in between, relying on the quantity of sunshine hitting it. Slightly distinctive, and a really expressive contact to this already very spectacular watch! That is one thing to be seen in actual life, for certain.
sculptural to the max
Fortunately, Hotlhinrichs doesn’t restrict this architectural and sculptural philosophy to the motion solely however fittingly transfers it to the case as nicely. 3D printed from titanium powder, it’s an intensive evolution of the design language we all know and love. It’s styled after the Artwork Nouveau design and the work of early modernist architects. The design and ending are performed within the typical fashion of Michiel’s earlier work, with inspiration coming from individuals like Eugène Viollet-le-Duc and Le Corbusier. This implies the outside surfaces are alternatingly polished by hand, or left uncovered to indicate the distinctive texture left by the 3D printing course of. A philosophy Michiel has coined as ‘ Horlogerie Brut’.
The case itself measures 39.5mm in width and 48.5mm in complete size, with a top of simply 9.5mm. As talked about, it’s 3D printed in grade 5 titanium, that means it’s very gentle. With an knowledgeable grasp of the capabilities of 3D printing titanium, Michiel has designed a case that by no means appears to cease flowing. The lugs curve out and in, up and down and are partially openworked. This offers the Nouveau Decoration a feel and appear that’s incomparable to every other watch, as you may actually dive into each crevice of the case. It’s fitted with a 3D printed titanium crown, a sapphire crystal on the entrance and the again, and is water-resistant to 50 meters. Not that you just’d wish to take this swimming, nevertheless it’s considerably reassuring nonetheless.
It have to be stated that Michiel Holthinrichs and his group have gone above and past, making main strides not just for themselves but in addition for Dutch watchmaking typically. It’s fairly one thing to have a small group like this able to presenting a watch of this degree, each aesthetically and constructually, totally performed in-house within the Netherlands!
Worth & availability
Holthinrichs presents the Decoration Nouveau on a custom-made hornback alligator leather-based strap, fitted to a signature Holthinrichs 3D printed titanium pin buckle. Naturally, with such a posh and labour-intensive case and motion development, and solely a really small group of knowledgeable craftsmen- and ladies at work, this will probably be produced in low numbers. A manufacturing run of 100 items has been introduced right now, for a worth of roughly EUR 65,000 earlier than taxes. On high of that, you may also order a singular chrome steel sculpted artwork piece to embellish your house by itself, or together with your Decoration Nouveau suspended in mid-air for all to be admired.
This actually is a large step up in comparison with earlier watches such because the Liminality sequence or the DECONSTRUCED. Nevertheless, let me be very clear about one factor; by way of development, design and ending, this goes nicely past what the Dutch group has ever performed earlier than!It goes with out saying we could have a more in-depth take a look at this watch in individual, as for us it’s extraordinarily thrilling information.
We’re of Dutch origin in any case, and have been following Michiel’s path because the very early days. Studying he slept behind his atelier early on in his watchmaking profession and was on the verge of chapter just a few occasions, however persevered and endured by all of it. It’s wonderful to see what they’re able to creating, whether or not it’s on the degree of the Signature Collection, or this! So from me, personally, and your entire group of MONOCHROME Watches; an enormous spherical of applause for the Holthinrichs group, please!
For extra info, and to lock in an allocation, please go to HolthinrichsWatches.com.
