De Grisogono Meccanico dG Concept Watch

Basel 2009: De Grisogono
by Timm Delfs

Working model of the De Grisogono concept watch "Meccanico".

The Brand founded 16 years ago by Fawaz Gruosi was present at Baselworld in Hall 1.1 as the year before.  But unlike other years its founder was nowhere to be seen.  Rumour has it that he is looking for several millions to save his company.  After buying back his shares from the Scheufele-family, owners of Chopard, and splitting with his wife, Caroline Scheufele, he cannot count on any support from the wealthy family.  Especially not during these times when they, too, have to be careful with expenses.

Nevertheless the brand has succeeded in getting their concept watch "Meccanico dG" going, first presented in 2008 for their 15^th anniversary.  The "Meccanico dG" is quite an astonishing piece of engineering as its automatic movement powers an analogue as well as a digital display.  The digital display in the lower half of the dial works analogous to an LED display with numerals made up from 7 bar-shaped elements that light up in order to form the numbers 0 to 9.  Instead of an integrated circuit, however, the system is controlled by cams that are turned in a defined sequence to the rhythm of the minutes.  With all the mechanics and an extra barrel to power the display it is obvious that the "Meccanico dG" is an impressive timepiece, its movement measuring 38.1 by 34.7 by 11.45 mm.  The watch will be limited to 177 pieces.

A closer look at the cam-and-roller system to display digital time.

This shows how minute the gears and cams are that make the changes in the digital display.

Apparently de Grisogono have encountered difficulties in realising the timepiece "Otturatore" that was also shown as a first on the occasion of the brand's birthday last year.  During Baselworld the watch was not on display nor was it mentioned.  It seems to be extremely difficult to stop the rotating dial accurately after 90°.  Remember, by pushing either of two buttons the wearer would be able to disclose four different windows hidden underneath the dial (that has only one opening).  One indicating power reserve, one the moonphase, one a small second and a date indication.

Remember the "Occhio Ripetizione Minuti", the minute repeater whose dial was made like the shutter of a camera that opened if you operated the repeater mechanism?  In this year's "Fuso Quadrato" de Grisogono re-introduced the shutter mechanism in an affordable version displaying a hidden second time-zone underneath the animated dial.

The Fuso Quadrato with semi-open diaphragm dial, displaying a second time-zone.

The Fuso Quadrato with closed diaphragm dial, hiding the second time-zone.

The Fuso Quadrato with open diaphragm dial, showing the second time-zone.