How could a vertical tourbillon watch be any more dramatic? Why not skeletonise it and show the world what makes it tick.
The Klepcys Vertical Tourbillon was first released in 2018 and the first model from Cyrus to feature a tourbillon complication. This wasn’t any old tourbillon though, it was a vertical tourbillon sitting at a 90° angle.
Cyrus have gone one step further this year. The Klepcys Vertical Skeleton Tourbillon has been opened up behind the already extravagant design, to showcase the innovative mechanism which drives the watch.
Cyrus sum up the concept in relatively simple terms:
Spectacular and refined, the new Cyrus Klepcys Vertical Skeleton Tourbillon allows fine watchmaking enthusiasts to dive right into the heart of the movement and enjoy the “dance” performed by its parts while reading off the retrograde time. Each element of the mechanism is finely finished and decorated, transforming it into an animated piece of exquisite craftsmanship.
Cyrus Klepcys Vertical Skeleton Tourbillon
Face & case
The case is 44mm wide (not including the crowns) and in a cushion shape, however the dial appears round at first glance, probably due to carefully thought out design. Almost everything is symmetrical down the centre line, but some of the piece is actually raised, providing a 3D effect.
Both sides of the dial feature DLC black semi circles, decorated with microbillage and framed with a thin contrasting strip. To the left hand side, the jumping retrograde white Arabic hour markers are clearly visible, as are the sweeping retrograde minutes mirrored on the right hand side in a scale from 0 to 60 at 5-second intervals. Depending on which version, the exclusively sculpted hands are embellished with 4N gold or silver-finish edges.
A raised vertical bridge (apparently inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s bridge) separates hours and minutes down the centre, at the same time framing the tourbillon cage. The bridge is decorated using the “microbillage” technique and features bevelled, polished edges and encases the dancing tourbillon, which sits proud on a vertical axis and at an angle of 90°. Seconds can be read off the tourbillon in blocks. 60 seconds is highlighted in red and is the duration it takes for the tourbillon to complete one full rotation.
At the top of the dial (traditionally 12 o’clock) and between the two arches of the tourbillon bridge, a black DLC sphere with a 5mm diameter is visible. This displays the power reserve, in days from 1 to 4. The Cyrus logo can be seen in the same position opposite at the bottom.
The movement is peeking through from underneath the bridge and inside both the hour and minute scales, providing an open view into the other organs which enable its heart to beat. The two rhodium-plated barrels, can be seen in the upper section, as well as the satin-polished and rhodium plated retrograde system levers.
Everything is encased behind a 1.2mm bespoke Sapphire crystal dome, with anti-reflective treatment to both sides, making the watch almost 2cm thick.
Keeping things symmetrical, there are 2 sturdy looking crowns in the middle of either side of the face. The left is to set the hour, by pushing the button, the right has 2 positions; position 1, winds the movement and position 2 adjusts the minutes. The crowns both have the engraved Cyrus logo on the ends and have a black rubber ring with raised sections on the section closest to the case.
The reverse of the watch is less dramatic, however still pleasing to the eye and the tourbillon is also visible through the centre of the back sapphire window. The two barrels feaure Cyrus’s tri-spoke logo, with mirror-polished screw heads securing them. Bridge plates take up the majority of the lower section and feature a slightly curved “sunray” pattern with a satin and polished finish.
Cyrus Klepcys Vertical Skeleton Tourbillon Case back
Movement
The Cyrus Klepcys Vertical Skeleton Tourbillon features an in house, hand wound movement. The calibre CYR625 has parallel barrels and also features a Swiss pallet fork escapement and variable-inertia balance wheel.
Running at 3Hz/21,600 vph and with 53 jewels, expect more than 100 hours power reserve once fully wound
Cyrus Klepcys Vertical Skeleton Tourbillon Side View
Strap
This watch comes with a black alligator leather strap with a folding DLC titanium clasp, as does the DLC version. The Cyrus logo is engraved in the middle of the clasp.
The model in 4N rose gold features a brown alligator leather strap, with a gold buckle. This is shown below, as unfortunately, none of my photos of the clasp on the 2 tone model were useable.
Cyrus Klepcys Vertical Skeleton Tourbillon Strap and Buckle
Other stuff
There are 3 versions of the Cyrus Klepcys Vertical Skeleton Tourbillon available, only 5 of each being produced.
- Full DLC Darkness is priced at 150,000 CHF
- 4N Rose Gold and DLC (the one reviewed here) is priced at 165,000 CHF
- 4N Rose Gold is priced at 189,000 CHF
Cyrus Klepcys Vertical Skeleton Tourbillon on the Wrist
Our verdict
The Cyrus Klepcys Vertical Skeleton Tourbillon is big, bold, interesting and the design is stunning. The aesthetics of everything have clearly been well considered and the fact the tourbillon is cutting the dial in half vertically, makes it that little bit more special.
Off the wrist it looks big and almost clumsy, however on the wrist it is well weighted, comfortable and doesn’t feel as big as it should. I am quite sure that wearers would lose themselves for long periods just looking into the mesmerising and constant movement of the tourbillon.
With a starting price of 150,000 CHF, it is definitely not going to be in everyone’s price bracket and with only 5 of each being made, the chances of seeing one out in the wild is probably fairly low.
The Klepcys Vertical Skeleton Tourbillon is definitely a piece I would love to have in my collection though; if only my wallet would permit!
Available to purchase directly from us while stocks last – BUY NOW
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