540 Magnum

Description

uAutomotive-inspired magnesium, aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber movement; extra-large tourbillon; 14-day power reserve; and race-winning carbon fiber case\t\t\xa0\t\tIt\u2019s often said that a watch reveals something about its owner. However, a watch also reveals much about the brand that created it.\t\t\xa0\t\tRarely has a timepiece reflected its creators\u2019 experience and expertise so appositely as the 540 Magnum Tourbillon by REBELLION. Why? Because it so strongly embodies the Swiss brand\u2019s deep involvement \u2013 and success \u2013 with Rebellion Racing in endurance car racing.\t\t\xa0\t\tRebellion Racing is a winner. Winner of both the 2012 and 2013 FIA LMP1 World Endurance Trophies; winner of both the 2012 and 2013 Petite Le Mans ALMS race in Atlanta; winner of the 2011 Le Mans Series LMP1 Team Championship; and winner of the 2011 Le Mans Series LMP1 Manufacture Championship.\t\t\xa0\t\tThe 540 Magnum Tourbillon is yet another REBELLION winner, exuding the all-conquering automotive pedigree that the brand has been accruing ever since it rocketed off the starting grid in 2008.\t\t\xa0\t\tWhere Rebellion Racing excels in endurance car racing, REBELLION Timepieces excels in endurance watchmaking. The 540 Magnum\u2019s engine \u2013 the proprietary REB T-14 movement \u2013 has a competition-honed 14-day power reserve. Power is generated by relief-engraved twin mainspring barrels \u2013 in series for optimal performance \u2013 and regulated by a finely-tuned, large-diameter, 60-second tourbillon escapement.\t\t\xa0\t\tAnd just like a top-class racing car, through clever design and the harnessing of the latest material technology, the 540 Magnum chassis and shell are engineered to be super lightweight while retaining maximum rigidity.\xa0\t\t\xa0\t\tThe T-14 features a large-diameter, ceramicized-magnesium tourbillon cage. The mainplate and \xbe back plate are respectively crafted from aluminum and race-inspired carbon fiber, setting the tone for a cutting-edge sandwich of aluminum and carbon fiber layers throughout the movement. The imposing, almost-square case \u2013 constructed modularly in high-tech carbon fiber \u2013 is complemented by a race-ready natural rubber strap and bespoke double folding buckle.\t\t\xa0\t\tREBELLION Timepieces are so into racing that with the 540 Magnum, they are literally and figuratively wearing their heart on their sleeve thanks to the eye-catching openwork dial: The balance wheel \u2013 the beating heart of the timepiece \u2013 rotates proudly in the raised, crenelated tourbillon cage at 4 o\u2019clock, while the dual mainspring barrels, double braced titanium bridges and gear train \u2013 all featuring automotive architecture and motifs \u2013 provide a technically rich backdrop to the central skeletonized hour and minute hands, skeletonized retrograde seconds lever to the left of the tourbillon cage at 6 o\u2019clock and two power reserve displays: An at-a-glance bright red arrowhead on the chain at 9 o\u2019clock, plus a precision indicator on a roller at 7 o\u2019clock.\t\t\xa0\t\tThe Rebellion 540 Magnum Tourbillon is a limited edition of 10 pieces with carbon fiber case.\xa0\t\t\xa0 THE 540 MAGNUM IN DETAIL\t\t\xa0 Open-dial\t\tThe top of the T-14 movement forms a stunning technical backdrop to the time indications with their distinctive, black-carbon Super-LumiNova tipped skeletonized hour and minute hands pointing to double-braced ARCAP hour markers. The skeletonized retrograde seconds lever at 6 o\u2019clock, also tipped with black-carbon Super-LumiNova, further enhances the dial-side animation provided by the oversized tourbillon at 4 o\u2019clock.\t\t\xa0\t\tEach passing day of the 14-day power reserve \u2013 its mechanism chain-driven with conical gears for maximum efficiency \u2013 is marked by the skeletonized arrowhead in vivid racing red at 9 o\u2019clock. Complementing this at 7 o\u2019clock is a precision power reserve display telling the owner the exact number of days of energy remaining, displayed using a Rebellion signature vertical roller-borne indicator.\t\t\xa0\t\tGears can be seen between the tourbillon and relief-engraved mainspring barrels at 12 o\u2019clock and 9 o\u2019clock, both barrels rigidly supported by titanium bridges. The high-tech movement materials \u2013 aluminum, ceramicized-magnesium, titanium and carbon fiber \u2013 form a smart interplay of dark and light colors.\t\t\xa0 Overview of the REB T-14 movement\t\tThe T-14 movement is a completely original, proprietary movement developed by renowned Swiss movement constructor David Candaux. To ensure that the Magnum fully reflected REBELLION\u2019s competition racing prowess \u2013 in terms of materials, design motifs and endurance capacity \u2013 David immersed himself in the world of Rebellion Racing, spending time trackside with the Rebellion Racing team, taking notes and photos of their race-proven technology. Then, David, Alexander Pesci (owner of both REBELLION Timepieces and Rebellion Racing) and Steve Clerici (CEO of REBELLION Timepieces), transposed the exciting world of auto sports to the world of watchmaking to create the REB T-14.\t\t\xa0 Two mainspring barrels and 14-day power reserve\t\tTwo mainsprings in two barrels generate the 540 Magnum\u2019s massive 14-day power reserve, upholding the REBELLION tradition of timepieces featuring long power reserves. The Magnum\u2019s barrels are connected in series for more constant power to the regulator and improved precision. One barrel is engraved with 'Passion' 'Speed' 'Rebel' and the other 'Extreme' 'Victory' 'Glory\u2019. Words that sum up not only REBELLION\u2019s intimate connection with endurance car racing, but also its ethos of creating contemporary timepieces that challenge the horological establishment.\t\t\xa0 State-of-the-art materials\t\tWith its mainplate in aluminum and \xbe back plate in carbon fiber, the 540 Magnum draws clear inspiration from the materials used in the world of racing. The carbon fiber plate supports the gear train from mainspring barrel to the escapement; retrograde seconds mechanism; wheels and pinions for the power reserve; and winding ratchet click, making it nearly as complex as the mainplate itself.\t\t\xa0\t\tAt 36.7mm x 36.7mm x 9mm, the T-14 movement is generously proportioned to fill the case, but it is the clever engineering \u2013 a sandwich of high-tech layers \u2013 and the astute use of cutting-edge materials that make this caliber exceptionally rigid and lightweight.\t\t\xa0 Large tourbillon\xa0\t\tThe REB T-14 features an extremely large tourbillon \u2013 17.2mm in diameter \u2013 floating above the dial, so that its beauty can be fully appreciated. The circumference of the magnesium tourbillon is "540 tenths of a millimeter" (54mm) and it is this value which has given rise to the name of the timepiece \u2013 the 540 Magnum.\xa0\t\t\xa0\t\tThe tourbillon cage has a distinctive crenelated profile engraved '-REB-T14', with the extra weight that this design would normally entail offset by crafting the cage in magnesium \u2013 magnesium has just 66 per cent the density of aluminum. The magnesium here has been subjected to a \u2018ceramicization\u2019 process that provides a micro-thin protective coating without affecting the tourbillon dimensions.\xa0\t\t\xa0 Masculine case\xa0\t\tRenowned horological designer Eric Giroud designed the 540 Magnum\u2019s case, which boasts virile dimensions (46 mm x 56.7 mm x 19.6 mm) and an oversized, grooved crown. The case band window provides an alternative vista onto the power reserve and its chain, while the choice of resistant, naturally finished carbon fiber \u2013 with visible, fibrous strands \u2013 is another evident nod towards to the realm of racing cars. \xa0\t\t\xa0\xa0

Supplied by the brand to the GPHG for its entry.