Exclusive Ming Thein Photographs The C3H5N3O9 Experiment ZR012!

September 16, 2018

Despite being completely unpronounceable, this watch is just plain outright cool. The brainchild of Max Bsser (MB&F) and Felix Baumgartner (URWERK), it is the first watch to use an eccentric planetary transmission system for the timekeeping mechanism – i.e. the same geometry as the Wankel engine.Curiously, there s only one ratio of inner to outer satellite that actually permits the three distinct chambers to be formed; any other ratio doesn t seal at all. The minutes are read off the red tips of the upper ‘rotor , with the hours on the level below. There is no seconds indication, but there is a power reserve indicator on the back of the watch. All of the indications are luminous, including the red tips – but the red is overlaid on top of the super luminova, so it isn t quite as legible. (But with a watch like this, who really cares about the actual time anyway? ??The case is made of Zirconium; it s light, warm to the touch and vaguely reminiscent of Titanium, but not quite as yellow color-wise. The crown screws down, and the watch is hand wound – I wonder if this might get a little tedious after a while. Despite the enormous size, the lower lugs are articulated and the watch wears very comfortably, even on small wrists. (The wrist shot is of a gentleman with about 6.75″ or so; I ve got slightly smaller wrists and it sat well on me, too.)The watch is a limited edition of 12 pieces, but the first in a line of ‘experiments – a collaboration between Max Bsser and Felix Baumgartner to produce pieces that wouldn t necessarily fit into either of their own brands. Admittedly, the first one does feel a lot like the offspring of MB&F and Urwerk. I m looking forward to seeing what comes next!I believe these are the first photos outside the official press release, and I was told that the watch is a working production prototype – which means non-final parts and finishing, and some potential tool marks in places as befits an engineering experiment…MTMany thanks to Ian Skellern at C3H5N3O9.This series shot (hastily) with a Nikon D800E and AFS 60/2.8 G Micro. It wasn t a commercial shoot, so please excuse me if I missed a spot or two. All images can be clicked on for larger versions.And finally, a wrist shot:More information about this timepiece:? www.c3h5n3o9.comMING THEIN for Fratellowatches.com