OCULUS CHRONO DEVIL
INTRODUCTION
The Oculus Chrono collection is composed of 12 convertible timepieces, characterized by the unique Valbray shutter system.
Named “Oculus”, this mechanism is composed of 16 ultrathin single blades, integrated on a rotatable 46 mm bezel. This acts as a cover for the face and can be opened and closed simply by turning the bezel manually.
Clearly drawing inspiration from analog cameras, these watches offer the amazing possibility of a twofold view, and a pleasure with which photographers are very familiar: that of interaction.
THE TIMEPIECE
Created out of a block of titanium, the Oculus Chrono Devil gets its colors from the depths of the earth: black as the darkness beneath, and red like flames of lava.
Dimensionally, the watch has a diameter of 46 mm (bezel). These proportions make for a bold, masculine statement.
At first sight, the timepiece appears to be completely dark. Only the red hand of the seconds, redesigned as a devil’s trident, stands out.
Then, once the circular shutter system has unveiled the second dial, the red color appears in the fine openwork dial base, consisting of a honeycomb latticework. The chronograph’s three sports sub-counters, together with the V of the brand and the unusual hour indicator at 3.5 (half past three), are inserted into this grid arrangement.
At the heart of the watch is a reliable self-winding Valjoux Caliber, modified to Valbray’s specifications. The movement comprises 25 jewels and oscillates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz). It boasts a power reserve of 44 hours and is water resistant to a depth of 50 meters.
The mechanism is visible through the smoked sapphire crystal on the back, which features an eye-catching decoration: a gothic-style “Devil” engraving.
The Oculus Chrono Devil is rounded off with a black alligator strap, closed by a folding clasp. The strap fits snugly round the case, thanks to carefully designed metal inserts, giving absolute continuity to the watch and making it very pleasant to wear.
With just 25 numbered pieces made, it has become a Valbray collector’s item.
TIMEPIECE DATA SHEET
Name Oculus Chrono Devil
Reference VR01G
Material Titanium grade 5
Coating Black DLC
Size Bezel: 46 mm diameter
Function Hours, minutes, seconds / date / chronograph
Patent Diaphragm integrated on a rotating bezel composed of 16 blades
Movement Reference: V.CA1
Mechanical and automatic
Customized rotor winding
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
25 functional jewels
44 hour power reserve
Water resistance 5 ATM
Dial Multilayered and based on a honeycomb grid
Sapphire glass Non-reflective crystal and case back
Strap Black alligator with red stitching
Limited edition 25 numbered pieces
Retail price 16’600 CHF (including VAT)
KEY BRAND DATA
History
2009 The brand is founded in Switzerland by Mr de Valbray (Micromechanical Engineer) and Mrs Corsini-de Valbray (Designer), and belongs to the de Valbray family.
Both the creators bring to bear their previous experience in leading luxury brands (Cartier, Bulgari, Chaumet)
10-11 The brand is launched in Geneva at the Geneva Time Exhibition watchmaking fair and in Basel, at Baselworld. First commercial release of the Oculus Chrono collection.
2013 Opening of the brand’s own factory in Romanel-sur-Morges, Switzerland.
Valbray creates 300-350 luxury handcrafted watches per year – all designed, manufactured and assembled in-house, to ensure full control of skills and product excellence. Every timepiece is part of a limited, numbered edition – from 25 to a maximum of 500 worldwide, depending on the model.
Inspiration
Analog cameras form the inspiration for the brand. The key values are: Interaction, Ergonomics, Precision, Technique and Design – common to the worlds of photography and watchmaking alike.
Valbray aims to offer more than a mere indicator of time, by creating a unique and intimate mechanical instrument that is synonymous with unforgettable memories, just as a camera is.
Innovation & Know-how
The complexity of Valbray timepieces is built around the delicate and innovative engineering of the Oculus system. Patented in 2010, it took more than two years of research and development to be finalized, and is an outstanding example of contemporary micromechanics applied to watchmaking.
A number of features embody the technical prowess of the system:
· Miniaturization: composed of more than 50 pieces to guide the 16 ultrathin blades, and integrated on a bezel just 46 mm in diameter (43mm on the Big Date collection) and 7 mm wide.
· The special metal used for the blades combines three crucial characteristics: strength, flexibility and thinness. The balance required between these three features makes the development of the blades extremely exacting.
· The strong, specific coating: the 16 moving blades constantly slide over each other, without scratching. In addition, Valbray has developed a paint system made from carbon and ceramic powders that is strong enough to withstand a large number of cycles, remaining unscathed after 10,000 rotations.
· The high degree of craftsmanship required to assemble the system: the 16 blades are carefully selected to be absolutely uniform, and adjusted one by one in the bezel with precision to within one hundredth of a millimeter. This extreme thinness cannot be handled manually; instead, operators work on these parts using tweezers. The assembly work is performed in a clean room with controlled atmosphere: the presence of even the smallest specks of dust would prevent the diaphragm from opening and closing, and eventually cause scratches.
INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM
Partnership
Premium German luxury camera brand Leica Camera AG asked Valbray to create 100 customized watches for the one hundredth anniversary of Leica Camera (2014), to be distributed in their 50 stores worldwide.
Retailers
Today, Valbray is represented in multi-brand luxury watch stores.
In Europe:
· France (Chronopassion and Colette in Paris, Temps&Passion in Monaco)
· Switzerland (Ouranos in Lausanne)
· Italy (Cristilli in Rome and Luisa Via Roma in Florence)
· In Northern Europe (Trends and Traditions distribution)
In Central Europe and the Middle East:
· Turkey (Adasaat group)
· Doha (Albidaa House of Jewellery)
· Dubai et Abu Dhabi (Inspiration Gallery)
America:
· USA (Martin Pulli in Philadelphia and Chatterley Luxuries in Arizona)
· South America (Joia Latam group and Joyeria Mara in Maracaibo)
Asia:
· Japan (Noble Styling in Tokyo)
· China (9Maiali in Hong Kong)
· Indonesia (FF Luxury Watch in Jakarta)
· Thailand (STL group in Bangkok)
BIOGRAPHY OF THE CREATORS
Côme de Valbray
Born in Paris, France, in 1980. From a very early age, Côme was particularly intrigued by mechanical objects, cars and planes. He got his first analog camera from his grandfather when he was eight years old – the start of a keen interest in photography.
Following his scientific baccalaureate in Paris, he moved to Switzerland to undertake his engineering studies at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, from which he graduated with a major in Microtechnology.
His interest in designing high-quality timepieces stemmed from the influence and experience he gained with his first employer, Cartier Horlogerie. During this period, he analyzed all the processes of watch manufacturing and came up with a new way of organizing production.
At the end of his mission, he decided to move to the United States to develop his entrepreneurial skills at Harvard University, where he started to shape his dream: offering his creativity and his vision of Horology through his own brand.
On his return to Switzerland, his meeting with Olga Corsini led to the beginning of a new story: the Valbray brand.
Olga Corsini
Born in Florence, Italy, in 1979. Ever since childhood, Olga has had a bent for creativity and design.
Following a baccalaureate in literature with a major in jewelry design at the European Institute of Design in Milan, she focused her interest on high-end handicraft and its industrial application.
Her keen interest in jewelry led her to join the creative department of Bulgari in Rome, where she started her career in high-end luxury products.
After several years spent in Rome, she moved to Florence to work for Gucci within the creative department of the jewelry division.
In 2007, she was approached by Chaumet (LVMH) to work in the luxury brand’s exclusive Jewelry and Horology creative studio, in Paris. During this experience, she created an array of unique pieces and worked on the majority of the brand’s best-selling items.
Her meeting with Côme de Valbray led to the start of a new story: the Valbray brand.
For more information, please contact :
Olga Corsini / / Tel.: + 41(0)21 869 75 17 Valbray, Z.I. Moulin du Choc D, 1122 Romanel sur Morges, Switzerland