Founded in 2010, Cyrus embodies the bold watch design characteristics of the early 2000s, evident in every timepiece in its catalog.
The brand has inherited a creative spirit, constantly striving for innovation and new ways of displaying and mastering time. Recall the cosmic Klepcys Vertical Tourbillon series or Klepcys DICE with two independent chronograph movements - an avant-garde aesthetic combined with fascinating mechanical mechanisms meticulously crafted by watchmaker Jean-François Mojon of Chronode, who oversees the production of the independent brand in Le Locle. Cyrus's latest creation, the Etheral Twin Orbital Tourbillon, continues the tradition of unconventional aesthetics and stylistic innovations. The watch invites exploration of intricate details and offers intuitive time reading, as we discovered during our acquaintance with it.
Case
Cyrus breaks new ground by presenting the watch in a round case, departing from previous square and rectangular models. The case of the new Ethereal Twin Orbital Tourbillon is 44 mm in diameter and 16.3 mm thick, made of rose gold with titanium inserts in the middle section and lugs. The titanium elements subtly project on the sides, creating a two-tone effect that enhances the visual appeal of the case.
The watch is equipped with two crowns at the “3 o’clock” and “9 o’clock” positions, a signature feature of Cyrus. This design choice ensures inclusivity, allowing both left-handed and right-handed users to operate the watch. While wearing the Ethereal Twin Orbital Tourbillon higher on the wrist can alleviate potential discomfort, it is worth noting that its size may pose challenges when worn under a cuff. Although the watch is more suited for larger wrists, its allure tempts anyone to try it on and experience it firsthand.
Dial
The Twin Orbital Tourbillon dial is undoubtedly the focal point, where three spiral-shaped elements immediately catch the eye - not counting the eight screws securing the exhibition case back and the spiral logo, there are eight components in the watch that pay tribute to the brand's symbol. Among these elements, the rotating minute hand with curved arms and beveled edges, featuring a gold-plated finish and a white Super-LumiNova tip for minute indication, stands out. The hand traverses a black PVD-coated flange with gold-plated double-digit numbers applied at 5-minute intervals. Additionally, the dial features two inclined flying tourbillon cages with spiral gold-plated bridges rotating clockwise, giving the watch a distinctive dynamic.
Now that we have mastered reading the minutes, let’s move on to the jumping hour indication. Here, two inclined rotating discs with black PVD coating come into play. The numbers are cut into these discs, converging at the center of the triangular minute hand, creating a striking contrast against the luminous white background. In the dark, the background illuminates the numbers with a mesmerizing blue light.
Time setting (and winding) is performed using the crown at the “3 o’clock” position. The crown button at the “9 o’clock” position is used for quick time adjustment, advancing an hour forward. But that's not all. Imagine: the hour and minute indicators, as well as the two “floating” tourbillons, are mounted on a rotating frame. This frame completes a full rotation in one hour, giving the watch an intriguing celestial dimension. An elegant decorative touch - anthracite inserts with a four-sided pattern visible through the cutouts.
Movement
The spectacle and timekeeping of the Twin Orbital Tourbillon are powered by the manually wound CYR518-E caliber, developed by Chronode and visible through the sapphire case back. This caliber consists of 510 components and operates at a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour, with two parallel barrels providing a 72-hour power reserve.
The ratchet wheels are spiral-shaped, and the power reserve indicator resembles the minute hand. It also has a triangular shape (spiral) and a gold-plated finish with a white tip pointing to the remaining power reserve. The PVD-coated bridges reflect the color scheme of the dial, showcasing a blend of gold tones, black, and anthracite colors harmonizing with the gold bezel of the case.
Price, Availability, and Notes
The new Cyrus Etheral Twin Orbital Tourbillon model is reportedly priced at 330,000 Swiss francs. The brand will release this rose gold and titanium version as a limited edition of 18 pieces. Cyrus often offers various iterations with different materials and color combinations, so we can expect new releases of this model in the future.
It is important to note that the version we photographed is a prototype, which differs from the digital images presented on the brand's website. One noticeable difference is the jumping hour indicator, which is easily spotted upon closer inspection.
As for the watch, the project took six years to complete, and the Twin Orbital Tourbillon marks the beginning of a new Etheral collection. It is characterized by complexity for the sake of complexity, which will undoubtedly appeal to Cyrus's loyal customers. I would request a 24-hour jumping display instead of a 12-hour one, but in such watches, aesthetics and mechanical ingenuity take precedence over traditional timekeeping. Nevertheless, they certainly know how to tell time, albeit uniquely and captivatingly.
More detailed information can be found on the website cyrus-watches.ch.