Romain Gauthier Continuum, Titanium

Launched in 2005, Romain Gauthier has distinguished itself as an independent brand that is rooted in tradition, yet is unafraid to explore new frontiers, especially with asymmetrical displays. With complicated masterpieces such as the Logical One and unusual pieces like the Prestige HMS and the Insight Micro-Rotor, Gauthier's ambition and design are decidedly different from other independent watchmakers.

The Continuum, as the name suggests, is an evolution of the classicality that marked Gauthier's past references. This sentiment finds expression in almost aspect of the design and build of this piece, which is one of a limited series of 28. The 41mm titanium case is thoroughly modern in its materials and brushed finishing. However, both the bezel and the display caseback wear feature an interplay of brushed and polished facets that toy with light. The crown at 2 o'clock is designed for wrist comfort while the red band around it is designed with ergonomics in mind. The lugs – that feature a unique shape – curve down and are designed to jigsaw precisely with the grey rubber strap the watch comes on. It is secured by a signed titanium pin buckle.

The dial, also constructed from titanium, features an off-centre display. To complete this asymmetry, the hour indices are of varying sizes and the chapter of minutes is also skewed. The subsidiary seconds register features radial-style markings printed in red. The white-gold dauphine hands are filled with SuperLumiNova, as are the applied quarter of Arabic numerals, to aid legibility.
The watch is powered by a manually wound calibre developed in-house developed at Romain Gauthier. It features a free-sprung balance and beats at a rate of 4Hz. The single mainspring offers 60 hours of reserve. The calibre features hacking seconds, for accurate time-setting.

The finger-style titanium bridges feature raised sandblasted edges and hand-hammered inner portions. These finishes share space with the more traditional horizontal satination seen on some bridges and the media blasting on the baseplate. The finger-style bridges are a historical tribute to the style typically found in the Vallée de Joux, flowing delicately over the gears and balance wheel below them. The wheels – from the mainspring down to the escape wheels – include the ‘wheels-within-wheels’ motif that is a constant feature of the brand’s calibres. The chamfered inner edges of these smaller wheels extends the canvas for showcasing hand finishing. The bridges are adorned with black engraving detailing the brand mark, serial number out of 28 the metal it is crafted from (titanium).

This example comes as a full set with all its outer and inner boxes as well as retail paperwork from 2022. As the original, bold reimagination of the classical underpinnings to Romain Gauthier’s watchmaking, this Roman Gauthier Continuum First Edition is as modern as it is refined.

Closer look

Condition

This Roman Gauthier Continuum First Edition is in excellent overall condition. The watch is preserved in virtually brand new condition, owing to both the titanium case and careful original ownership.

Warranty

The watch comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.