Elegant efficiency, from all sides. That’s what we see from Romain Gauthier at Baselworld with the release of the Insight Micro-Rotor.

Romain Gauthier has built a name around some very eye-catching designs and innovative movements. At Baselworld 2017, that trend seems to continue. The watchmaker based out of the Vallée de Joux in Switzerland has launched the new Insight Micro-Rotor timepiece. The watch proudly displays a highly visible and finely finished movement that can be instantly appreciated, hence the name “Insight”.

The watch was designed first and foremost with simplicity and functionality in mind, as Romain Gauthier notes:

“Insight Micro-Rotor is a haute horlogerie creation, but also a daily timepiece that can be enjoyed for its simplicity of use. You can take Insight Micro-Rotor off Friday evening, put it on again Monday, and there will still be plenty of power stored with precision guaranteed.”

That kind of autonomy is delivered thanks to a very efficient new calibre. It features a bidirectional micro-rotor made from 22k solid gold - visible dial side and through the display back – that turns fluidly between two bridges, which offers superior stability.

The bridges have been fitted with friction-minimising ruby bearings, which have a low coefficient of friction and high wear resistance, here helping to produce a smooth and noiseless rotation. Adding to the efficiency of the in-house calibre is the relative light weight of the rotor. It winds a double mainspring barrel that offers an impressive 80 hours of power autonomy.

The harmonious design of the watch is as impressive as the efficient movement, and it can be appreciated from all angles.

On the front, we see the seconds weeping around the centre, surrounded by the hour-minute subdial at 12 o’clock, a beating balance at 6 o’clock and of course the swaying micro-rotor opposite at 9 o’clock. The curved and hand-bevelled bridges are evenly spaced out and play on the inner contours of the modestly sized 39.5mm case.

The back is arguably as stunning visually as the front. The observer is treated to more views of the movement through the display back, where the micro-rotor continues to steal the show. Gears and ratchets stand out for their circular arms and the bridges are decorated with hand-made, hand-polished bevels and jewel countersinks.

The Insight Micro-Rotor is available in either a red gold or platinum model, and both are available in three limited edition series of ten pieces: one with an oven-fired white enamel dial, another with a black enamel dial, and finally a third with a blue enamel dial.

Given that Romain Gauthier usually produces very few timepieces each year, it seem that the Insight Micro-Rotor will be a significant piece of their business this year. That’s significant, because the prices are hefty and range between 75,000 and 88,000 Swiss francs, depending on the model.