As part of Perrelet’s Geneva Watch Days unveiling, the brand has released the Turbine Carbon Ice Blue and Turbine Titanium Ice Blue.
For those who may be new to horology, Perrelet is one of the oldest brands in the world of watchmaking. Abraham-Louis Perrelet, born in 1729, was a Swiss horologist. Around the beginning of 1777, Perrelet invented what is widely seen as the first automatic “movement” for pocket watches. The self-winding mechanism created by Perrelet is based on the same concept that we see in modern timepieces today: it used an oscillating weight to power the pocketwatch.
The company Perrelet was also founded in 1777. In the same year, Abraham-Louis Perrelet created the automatic pocket watch movement and several watch models to accompany it. Throughout its history, Perrelet’s brand has had to fight against mighty competitors. Due to financial difficulties, Festina Group acquired Perrelet in 2004, and the brand re-launched anew. In 2007, the brand released several highly regarded timepeices with several different complications, including retrograde, jumping hour and double-rotor complications, making their entrance back into the world of horology with style.
Then, in 2009, Perrelet released their first Turbine timepiece. This timepiece is considered Perrelet’s most iconic model, as it became a global hit. As the timepiece’s name suggests, the watch design takes its inspiration from the world of aviation, particularly Jet Engine turbines. Perrelet’s double rotor movement was redesigned for this timepiece and presented in a truly unique way. The winding rotor is presented on the dial side and is shown as a propeller, much like a Jet Engine turbine. In a display of ultra-cool mechanical features, the twelve blades of the “winding rotor” will turn to wind and give power to the movement, much like how a turbine provides power for the Jet Engine.
Fast-forward to 2024, and Perrelet has released two new variations of its iconic Turbine timepiece. The watches have received an aesthetic upgrade inspired by the Grande Dixence, the highest gravity dam in the world, located in Switzerland. Situated at the bottom of the Val des Dix, 25 km south of Sion, the capital of the canton of Valais, the 285-metre-high wall holds a volume of 400 million cubic metres. It is stated that “To benefit from maximum power, the Cleuson-Dixence production plant is located 1,883 metres lower downstream (a world record). Grande Dixence is a supplier of high-power, clean and renewable electricity. The Lac des Dix site serves as a base camp for various cultural and sporting activities, including plant visits, zip-lining, mountain walks, nature observation, gastronomy and leisure.”
The extraordinary creativity of the Perrelet design and engineering team has resulted in the brand releasing the new TURBINE CARBON ICE BLUE and TURBINE TITANIUM ICE BLUE. These two new creations consider many elements that reference the Grande Dixence Dam. The most obvious reference is the timepiece’s signature turbine on the dial, a fundamental component of hydroelectric power stations. The following most noticeable reference is the colours of the timepieces. The striking ice blue shades on the dials are a colour that evokes high mountains and water in all its forms: snow, ice, and frost, creating a sense of peace and relaxation.
TURBINE CARBON ICE BLUE
The TURBINE CARBON ICE BLUE comes in a 44mm polycarbonate and carbon fibre case, with a matte black DLC steel bezel and case back. Much like the Jet Engine’s the Turbine collection takes inspiration from, Perrelet also uses next-gen material to bring the watch to new heights. The use of polycarbonate and carbon fibre in case construction ensures not only strength but also the overall weight of the timepiece is greatly reduced, allowing optimal comfort on the wrist.
The TURBINE CARBON ICE BLUE has a bolder look than its counterpart, with the ice blue colour being more prominent on the dial. The “Californian style” ice blue chapter ring has a unique mix of hour indices that range from baton style to Arabic and Roman numerals. This ice blue chapter ring also matches nicely with the dial’s background, in which the turbine blades lay on top. The hour and minute hands and the constant seconds hand are done in a deeper, richer “royal blue” colour to make it stand out.
TURBINE TITANIUM ICE BLUE
The second version, the TURBINE TITANIUM ICE BLUE, has different aesthetics from the carbon model and sizing. This watch is presented in a 41-mm-diameter case crafted from Grade 2 black DLC-coated titanium. The reduction in size from the TURBINE CARBON ICE BLUE offers an option for those who want their watches to be smaller on the wrist. Unlike the carbon, the black DLC-coated titanium case matches nicely with the bezel and caseback, offering a more uniform aesthetic view.
As the case’s aesthetics change, so does the dial design. While the core elements between the two models remain the same, the TURBINE TITANIUM ICE BLUE goes down a more subtle route in the colour choices. Firstly, the chapter ring is now done in black, which blends in nicely with the black DLC-coated titanium bezel. The hour indices only consist of Arabic numerals and baton-style markers, filled with generous amounts of Super-LumiNova, which stands out sharply against the black chapter ring.
Then comes the ice blue colour, which has been used sparingly in this watch compared to the carbon timepiece. Firstly, we get the ice blue seconds hand, and then the lower part of the dial also has the ice blue colour finish. The strap of choice for this model is also an ice-blue rubber strap.
Perrelet In-House P-331-MH Calibre Movement
Both versions of this new Turbine model come with Perrelet’s in-house P-331-MH calibre movement. While the two case sizes differ, the brand accommodates this movement for both models. Perrelet states regarding this movement, “It is manufactured by Soprod, a company owned and managed by Miguel Rodriguez, owner and president of Perrelet. Soprod is part of a watchmaking pole comprising no less than six factories capable of producing their calibres in complete autonomy, guaranteeing Perrelet a high degree of independence in creating its watches.”
The P-331-MH Calibre also boasts two different chronometry certifications! The first is for successfully passing the COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) tests, while Chronofiable® obtained the second certification. The movement with its dual rotor can operate at a high frequency of 28,800 VpH while giving a power reserve of 42 hours. Turn the watch over, and we are treated to a sapphire case back where the movement can be seen. What we also see is the dual winding rotor in action, along with the varying finishing techniques.
Final Thoughts
Perrelet’s Turbine collection has always captivated watch enthusiasts for its unique display of the winding-rotor. It’s certainly a fun timepiece that grabs attention. These latest models reference another imposing architectural construction, with the ice blue colours reflecting the cold waters of the famous Grande Dixence dam. Ice blue is also my favourite colour on a timepiece, so these two new models have a certain allure to me.
In saying that, I personally like the TURBINE TITANIUM ICE BLUE model. While the carbon version has a bold look and does look aesthetically pleasing with the ice blue chapter ring, I also feel at the same time that there is too much going on in the carbon version due to the mix of different shades of blue and also the various designs of the hour indices. The titanium model has a much more balanced look, giving a great aesthetically pleasing view, in which the shades of ice blue stand out amongst the sea of black.
Regardless of which model, however, both timepeices offer something different to cater to varying tastes in terms of proportions and aesthetics.
Reference: TURBINE CARBON ICE BLUE – Ref. A4065/5
Specification:
- Case Size: 44mm
- Case Thickness: 13.82mm
- Case Material: Case body in polycarbonate and carbon fibre, flat bezel in stainless steel with black matt PVD coating.
- Dial: Ice-blue lower dial with the depiction of the turbine achieved through the polished/satin finish. 12 black anodised aluminium turbine blades with five tungsten counterweights. Ice-blue minute flange and hour track with a mix of luminescent white Arabic, Roman numerals and indices.
- Movement: In-house manufacture self-winding calibre P-331-MH
- Movement Frequency: 28,800 VpH (5hZ)
- Movement Power reserve: 42hrs
- Water resistance: 10 bar (100 meters)
- Crystal: Sapphire glass with double anti-reflective treatment on dial
- Case back: Case back in stainless steel with black PVD coating and sapphire glass porthole
- Bracelet/Strap: Black calf leather strap with alligator pattern, ice blue stitching and rubber lining. Folding clasp in black PVD stainless steel embellished with the Perrelet logo
International Recommended Retail Pricing: CHF 4,980
Availability: Enquire online at www.perrelet.com
Reference: TURBINE TITANIUM ICE BLUE – Ref. A4067/7
Specification:
- Case Size: 41mm
- Case Thickness: 13.90mm
- Case Material: Grade 2 titanium with black DLC coating
- Dial: Ice-blue lower dial depicted with a black turbine. 12-blade turbine in black anodised aluminium with five tungsten counterweights. Arabic numerals mixed with indices, filled with white Super-LumiNova®, embossed on a matt black ring.
- Movement: In-house manufacture self-winding calibre P-331-MH,
- Movement Frequency: 28,800 VpH (5hZ)
- Movement Power reserve: 42hrs
- Water resistance: 10 bar (100 meters)
- Crystal: Sapphire glass with double anti-reflective treatment on the dial and case back
- Case back: Grade 2 titanium with black DLC coating
- Bracelet/Strap: Ice blue rubber strap, black DLC-coated titanium pin buckle embellished with the Perrelet logo
