WRITTEN BY TERESA GRECO
For almost a century, watches have been displayed and paraded on the wrists of men and women alike, perfected over the years by the most brilliant master watchmakers. Creating something different would require out-of-the-box thinking and ideas free of tradition. The time has come for the longawaited release of CODE41’s latest timepiece: Mecascape – Sublimation One. Twelve years after the original idea was born, the Mecascape has come to life and is reinventing watchmaking codes in an unexplored format. This new watch class offers an unprecedented view of time in its atypical form – it is neither a watch nor a clock. Boasting a visionary design and an achievement in excellence, this open-heart mechanical landscape promises timepiece
lovers an unparalleled experience.
Claudio D’Amore, founder and CEO of CODE41, explains,
“My idea for the Mecascape goes back to 2009, more than 12 years ago. Today, after having founded CODE41, we’ve given birth to six collections and dedicated five years of focused development to the project. I knew, with the team, from the outset that we were working on something really special. An ambitious and daring project in every sense of the word. Translating my vision into a unique and original watch object was a real collective challenge, and we are all very proud of the result. Working with time from all angles (and that’s the right word here) has rarely been so rewarding.”
A One-Of-A-Kind Horological Creation
Developed, produced and assembled entirely in Switzerland, the Mecascape’s manufacture movement is a one-of-a-kind piece of fine watchmaking. The 237 components, including 39 jewels, are spread out on a plate with extraordinary dimensions of 98x60mm, for admiring each detail served up to the eyes as never before.
In the palm of our hand, the Mecascape enjoys an exemplary ergonomic design as it is ultra-slim, light and elegant. To prevent any risk of torsion without forgoing the lightness of the case, CODE41 opted for the best – grade 5 titanium – used in the aerospace and medicine industries. Apart from the titanium structure, the Mecascape’s protection is also ensured on the front with an immense scratch-proof sapphire glass with an anti-reflective treatment for optimal ease of use in any situation and enhanced at night by a SuperLumiNova® (a treatment applied to the hands and dials).
Weighing 198 grams and only 8.1mm thick, the Mecascape’s sundials show the hour, minute, seconds, an alternative time zone and its 8-day power reserve have been positioned intuitively to show the interconnectedness of the different components. Two small knurled crowns are placed on either side of the Mecascape to allow the wearer to set time and the timepiece to be wound mechanically.
In order to guarantee strength and harmony in the spectacular composition, Claudio D’Amore drew inspiration from the golden ratio. Represented by the Greek letter Phi “Φ” and more or less equal to 1.61803, the golden ratio is the result of a harmonious and perfectly balanced proportion (known as the ‘divine proportion’). At work in nature and the arts (the “Vitruvian Man” by Leonardo da Vinci recreates the proportions perfectly), and even in architecture, it is used to define the beauty and esthetic of a shape.
Uses and Accessories
As comfortable on your travels as at home, the Mecascape doesn’t confine itself to any specific use and can adapt to any environment and lifestyle. Choose to carry it with you in a jacket pocket or use it to adorn a desk with style and elegance on its very own stand. The timepiece is accompanied by a high-quality Italian leather holder, lined with microfiber and offers a notch on the back for storing a bank or business card.
Availability & Price of the Mecascape
Those who acquire a Mecascape – Sublimation One will enjoy a numbered series available for pre-order until December 30, 2022, starting from $12,640.
The Mecascape came from a simple idea: thinking differently about time and removing it from its historical framework. In the mind of Claudio D’Amore, the aim was clear from the beginning: liberating wrists and paving the way for a new means of watchmaking expression.