THE LOTUS TOURBILLON
Kross Studio continues the design house’s successful streak of collaborations and partnerships with its latest venture, this time partnering with renowned designer Alain Silberstein. In the summer of 2021, Silberstein contacted Kross Studio to discuss his vision for a lotus-inspired timepiece that would capture the essence of the sacred Asian flower. A brief initial meeting between Silberstein and Kross Studio Founder Marco Tedeschi turned into a crossfire of ideas and a formal plan to bring the Lotus Tourbillon to life using the Kross Studio central tourbillon (the KS 7’000 caliber).
Alain Silberstein: “I was blown away by the first central vortex created by Kross Studio which depicted the Death Star from Star Wars. Curious, I made an appointment to get to know this talented team. I thought our first meeting would last about an hour. Four hours later, we were still in a meeting, creating what would become the Lotus Tourbillon. What was supposed to be just a first contact turned into a creative meeting.”
Center Stage Tourbillon
The now famous KS 7'000 caliber from Kross Studio, the result of months of research and development, comes equipped with an oversized barrel offering a 5-day power reserve. The regulator takes its place in the center within a tourbillon cage at the top of the barrel, uniting form and function, and setting the stage for innumerable and creative iterations, this time: a delicate lotus flower.
The ephemeral lotus flower reminds the viewer that each passing moment is precious. Revered in Asian spirituality, the lotus is the flower of life and a sacred plant. Its seemingly fragile petals conceal unsuspected strength. It is renewed and reborn each day without losing its splendor.
The lotus flower in polished grade 5 titanium has been machined entirely in the Kross Studio manufacture. It seems to float above the tourbillon in all its lightness, with four elements superimposed to symbolize perfect harmony.
The time can be read using the peripheral hour and minute display, which orbits 360 degrees around the tourbillon, the cyclical and harmonious rhythm of the hours, minutes, and seconds echoing the lifecycle of the lotus and serving as a constant reminder of each precious moment. Housed in a 45mm titanium case protected by a black DLC treatment, the lotus blossoms under a sapphire dome, revealing Kross Studio's unique watchmaking expertise.
On the dial side, the main components of the movement have been hand-brushed in a circular pattern from the center and treated in black, reinforcing the vision of a lotus floating on still waters. Its open petal forms enable rays of light to penetrate the lotus petals and allow the watch to reveal its thousand secrets.
Ingenious time setting
A D-ring winder on the case back allows easy movement winding, while the time is set via the push button between 3 and 4 o'clock. The push button employs Silberstein’s signature bold graphic style, engraved and filled with an invigorating yellow lacquer. Kross Studio devised this unique system to ensure design symmetry and a more comfortable experience on the wrist than a traditional crown, while also enabling faster winding. On the case back, engravings of red circles align with the Kross Studio logo in a testament to this unique partnership between the Swiss design studio and Alain Silberstein, famed designer.
The watch comes with two straps: one in black leather lined with rubber, and the other in black rubber. Like all Kross Studio watches, the interchangeable strap system allows users to easily switch from one strap to the other with a single click of the quick-release buttons, located on the underside of the watch.
Silberstein’s signature geometric shapes and primary colors naturally find their place within the Lotus Tourbillon, offering bold counterparts to the poetry and lightness of the floating lotus.
The Fundamental Totem
The watch comes delivered in a unique handcrafted watch case: an art object that is both visually striking and functional, designed especially for this collaboration. The totem consists of stacked forms, including a blue triangle, yellow square, and red circle interpreted in 3 dimensions. The Lotus Tourbillon takes its place within a compartment that has been seamlessly integrated into the yellow cube.
The Lotus Tourbillon watch is produced in a limited edition of eighteen pieces. It comes with its certificate of authenticity signed by Alain Silberstein and Marco Tedeschi and its owner’s book.
Technical specifications
Model Name Lotus Tourbillon
Reference KXWLT21
Parts 288
Limited Edition 18 pieces
ITL warranty 2 + 3 years
Case Grade 5 titanium protected by a black DLC treatment
Dome-shaped anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Push button engraved and filled with yellow lacquer
Diameter 45mm
Thickness 20mm
Thickness without crystal 12.5mm
Water Resistance 30m or 3 ATM
Case back Grade 5 titanium
4 anti-reflective sapphire crystals
D-ring crown
Caliber KS 7’000
Functions Manual winding, central tourbillon
Frequency 21’600 bph / 3Hz
Jewels 27
Movement parts 210
Power Reserve 5 days
Interchangeable Straps
1. Vegetal black leather lined with rubber
2. Black rubber
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