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Dec 22, 2014, 04:09 PM
#1
Wristwatch Grand Sonneries?
So I got to thinking about grand sonneries... the grand sonnerie is undoubtedly one of, if not the most difficult individual complication to develop and manufacture, especially at wristwatch sizes. Just for curiosity's sake, I am trying to put together a list of all wristwatch grand sonneries produced. Let me know of any I missed out!
Patek Phillipe Grandmaster Chime
Not a very pretty watch, but brings together all the known chiming mechanisms, Grand and petit sonnerie, minute repeater, alarm, and a world first date repeater from perpetual calendar (I believe Abraham Louis Breguet made a non perpetual date repeater pocket watch).
A Lange and Sohne Grand Complication
An almost traditional "grand complication" watch bringing together split seconds chrono, perpetual calendar and minute repeater, but also a grand sonnerie with westminster chime. Bit of a beast at 50mm.
Piaget Grand Sonnerie
Developed for them by FP Journe back when he was working as a free lance movement designer. Being a Piaget, it is of course, the thinnest Grand Sonnerie.
FP Journe Sonnerie Souverain
Journe of course made an all new GS for his own brand. The DNA of the Piaget he made is evident. Journe worked hard to make the sonnerie easy to operate and difficult to accidentaly damage. He designed it so that a hypothetical 8 year old could easily operate it. Encased in steel for superior acoustics!
Jaeger Le Coultre Hybris Mechanica A' Grand Sonnerie
Ah, JLC. They can make a $7000 Reverso, and they can make a $1.5m dollar grand sonnerie with westminster chimes and perpetual calendar. Part of their incredible Hybris Mechanica elite collection and also the pinnacle of the Duometre line.
Ulysee Nardin Imperial Blue
Flying tourbillon and westminster chimes Grand Sonnerie
Bvlgari is one of only 2 brands I've found who seem to have made more than one model. They seem to have acquired the know how through their acqusition of Gerald Genta and Daniel Roth. It would also appear that Genta and Roth had each made Sonneries before being acquired by Bvlgari but I havent been able to dig in to this much. Does anyone else have some clear info on all this?
Bvlgari Daniel Roth Sonnerie with westminster chimes
A Geral Genta branded Sonnerie
The other is Frank Muller who seem to have made two.
Finally Breguet seem to be working on a a seriously complicated watch in honour of the late Nicolas Hayek sr. They do have a pocket watch GS in their collection but this wristwatch watch is still under development. All indications are that it contains a tourbillon and grand sonnerie in addition to many other complications.
What did I miss? I also pose to you, the most hypothetical of hypotheticals... what would you choose? I can't afford these watches of course but quite frankly for all the watchmaking virtuosity, most of these are far too big and just generally unattractive. If I had the kind of funds to afford these, I would probably go for the 42mm Journe which is both wearable and also I think amongst the most attractive models here. The Piaget is a bit too restrained but the 44mm JLC would also be hard to say no to. Actually my favourite aesthetically is the Lange but its a pocket watch sized 50mm. I'm also curious how the Breguet will turn out. I have the feeling it will be massive as the watch is a two sided watch like the Patek (47mm). I find most Breguets and their engine turned dials very attractive though.
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Dec 22, 2014, 09:25 PM
#2
Member
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Dec 22, 2014, 09:58 PM
#3
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Dec 22, 2014, 10:23 PM
#4
Member
It looks like they're not done finishing that Credor yet 
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Dec 22, 2014, 10:27 PM
#5
Swiss Watch Enthusiast
Originally Posted by
tigerpac
It looks like they're not done finishing that Credor yet
They're still working on the dial 
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Dec 22, 2014, 10:39 PM
#6
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Dec 23, 2014, 06:02 AM
#7
Interesting! I knew they made a minute repeater but hadn't heard of a full Sonnerie.
Originally Posted by
Domo
Maybe it's because Seiko never like to put the word "Grand" before anything
Lol.
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Dec 23, 2014, 06:40 AM
#8
Originally Posted by
Domo
It's never mentioned by Seiko, or anyone that it's a Grand Sonnerie, but it does hourly chime, quarterly chime, and repetition on demand (button at "8") so that counts, right?
I've looked it up. It's definitely a grand sonnerie. A petit sonnerie would only strike the passing of the hours or quarters but a grand sonnerie would repeat the number of hours upon passing as well. And the Credor has that functionality.
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Dec 24, 2014, 05:06 PM
#9
Member
Philippe Dufour Grande et Petite Sonnerie:
Attachment 6356
The grail:
Jean Daniel Nicolas Two Minute Tourbillon
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Dec 24, 2014, 05:07 PM
#10
Member
Christophe Claret Soprano:
The grail:
Jean Daniel Nicolas Two Minute Tourbillon
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