Romain Gauthier Titanium Edition Four, MON00541, Titanium

Launched in 2005, Romain Gauthier has distinguished itself as an independent brand that is rooted in tradition, yet is unafraid to explore new frontiers, especially with asymmetrical displays. With complicated masterpieces such as the Logical One and unusual pieces like the Prestige HMS and Insight Micro-Rotor, Gauthier's ambition and design are decidedly different from other independent watchmakers.
 
The name of this example, "Continuum", suggests an evolution in Gauthier's work, continually moving forward. The series has since been renamed to simply "C by Romain Gauthier", perhaps adding more mystery to the watches and hinting towards their modern identity. This Titanium Edition Four is a striking all-black example placed seamlessly on a matching rubber strap, and is limited to just 38 examples. It bears some similarities in tone to the Titanium Edition Two, but with a more monochromatic appearance and fewer coloured accents. It has been suggested that Edition Six will be the last addition to the overall series, making this a relatively earlier example that introduces a striking new feature and a sleek silhouette compared to the previous rubber strap examples.
 
The faceted titanium case is coated with deep black ALDC carbon. It features bevelled angles, and when the light catches both brushed and polished surfaces, it produces an especially striking effect. The dial is also completely constructed from titanium and is slightly off-centre. Where previous iterations have a dark grey dial that contrasts with the lighter case metal, here both are in black and are indistinguishable in terms of colour. Continuing the theme of asymmetry, the hour indices and the small seconds' intervals are also marked by blue lines of varying length. A hacking seconds mechanism allows for more accurate time-setting, and the crown features a light blue band wrapped around it, in a similar shade to the lines on the dial. White-gold hands are filled with SuperLumiNova, for enhanced legibility.
 
The watch is powered by an in-house developed calibre, which is horizontally constructed, and continues the theme of modern creation. The rhodium-plated titanium bridges provide an eyecatching contrast against the deep black of the rest of the watch. In terms of finishing, a mixture of sandblasted bridges and hand-hammered surfaces can be seen, alongside more traditional straight grained techniques. The finger-style bridges are a historical tribute to the style typically found in the Vallee de Joux, flowing delicately over the gears and balance wheel below.

If sold within the United Kingdom, this Romain Gauthier Titanium Edition Four will be subject to 20% VAT

Closer look

Condition

This Romain Gauthier Titanium Edition Four is in excellent overall condition. The case and lugs show very light superficial marks, consistent with minimal wear over time without damage to the deep black ALDC carbon coating. The dial, hands, and movement are free from any signs of imperfections.

Warranty

The watch comes with a lifetime guarantee of authenticity from A Collected Man as well as the remaining duration of the manufacturer warranty from Romain Gauthier.