L&MR Rainhill Trials Silver
- Category
- Challenge
- Case
- Steel
- Movement
- Self-winding mechanical Power reserve: 41 h, 28800 vph Skeleton movement
- Functions
- Hours, Minutes, Seconds
- Size
- ø 41.2 mm
- Thickness
- 12.8 mm
- Water resistance
- 50 m
- Reference
- P194211115
- Price
- 1,390 CHF
Description
The L&MR Rainhill Trials collection by HVILINA continues the brand’s exploration of the Industrial Revolution, an era that transformed technology, transportation, and society. Inspired by the 1829 Rainhill Trials – the world’s first locomotive competition, held to select the trains for the pioneering Liverpool and Manchester Railway – the collection celebrates engineering innovation and the spirit of progress.
Rather than simply commemorating a historical event, the collection transforms the values embodied by the 1829 Rainhill Trials into a tangible watchmaking experience. Through mechanical craftsmanship, historical symbolism is combined with contemporary design, inviting wearers to find their own source of inspiration through innovation, history, and the enduring human desire to explore and create.
Time is displayed through a pair of three-dimensional locomotive-shaped hands travelling along separate indication tracks, with the outer ring showing hours and the inner ring showing minutes. A duplicate hour indicator remains visible when the locomotive passes through one of four depots, while a central seconds hand preserves the functionality of a traditional three-hand watch.
Powered by a customized and skeletonised Sellita SW200 automatic movement, the locomotive-shaped hands create the illusion of miniature trains moving across the dial. The multi-layered openworked dial enhances depth and motion, while the restrained industrial case design reflects the engineering character of the Industrial Revolution and balances the expressive dial composition.
Realizing this vision required extensive customization of the movement, precise weight balancing, and the production of highly detailed metal locomotive sculptures measuring no more than 3.9 × 2.1 × 2 mm. The hour locomotive is inspired by Rocket, the winning locomotive of the Rainhill Trials, while the minute locomotive pays tribute to Novelty, one of the competition’s most celebrated participants. These miniature locomotives transform the passage of time into a visual representation of the Rainhill Trials, creating an immersive and engaging watchmaking experience.
Sapphire crystals on both sides, a stainless-steel case, and 50 m water resistance ensure reliable everyday use.
Supplied by the brand to the GPHG for its entry.