by Adrian Herscovici
Modern versions of vintage watches were popular at Baselworld 2012, with updated designs, movements and features that put new spins on old favorites. RSW also delivered a vintage model – La Neuveville (pronounced in three syllables: neu-ve-ville) – but unlike others, the RSW watch was not a revised version of a previous release but a new watch to commemorate a significant time and place in history.
La Neuveville is the name of the medieval city on the shore of Lake Biel in the Bernese Jura of Switzerland. It has been home to RSW since 2002. This year La Neuveville is celebrating its 700th birthday. To honor this auspicious anniversary and to pay tribute to its current home, RSW crafted a watch with a vintage feel that also includes elements of the brand’s contemporary makeup.
| RSW La Neuveville Introduced at Baselworld 2012 | |
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| Click to Enlarge Image |
The design hearkens back to mid-20th century simplicity and elegance. The case is round and polished, as is the bezel, and the dressy lugs are curved with beveled edges. The watch is three-handed with a date function at 3 o’clock. The only numeral on the dial is a raised 12 marker. Other hours are indicated by geometric tetrahedrons or “triangular pyramids,” while an understated seconds track of black indexes appears along the outside. All three hands are polished and pointed, mirroring the inward pointed tips of the hour markers. The surface of the dial is decorated with a sunray pattern, adding texture and depth without compromising the vintage minimalism. Appearance of text on the dial is also intentionally sparse, limited to the brand name, the model and the word “automatic,” referring to the watch’s inner components.
Other than the 42 mm case size, one visible characteristic reveals that this watch is not of a bygone era: RSW’s patented crank crown. This recognizable and functional feature is not only original, it appeals to anyone with a fascination for mechanical watches. To operate the crank, first unscrew the traditional crown. Once unlocked from the case, the crown and handle fold up and function as a crank by which to wind the ETA 2824-2 movement inside. The experience of winding in this manner is both visual and tactile, connecting the wearer to the all-important aspect of owning a mechanical timepiece.
The automatic version shown here has a sapphire caseback. La Neuveville is also available with an ETA 955.112 quartz movement, solid caseback and standard winding crown. Both versions can be had in stainless steel or in yellow PVD-coated stainless steel, and both are available with or without diamonds. Every La Neuveville is fitted with a smart-looking leather strap and folding buckle that is as handsome as it is debonair.
Here’s to another 700 years of La Neuveville and RSW!
About Gevril Group
Gevril Group, directed by company founder and long-time creative force in the watch business Samuel Friedmann, is the exclusive US representative for 30+ select European watch brands, distributing and servicing luxury, fashion and sporty timepieces at a wide range of price points. Additionally, Group Gevril operates a full-service watch repair department staffed by master Swiss watchmakers. Contact Gevril Group by email or by calling 845-425-9882.
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