Purity Moissanite
for
From the depths of the universe to the human wrist
Freeing the Fire
A world first:
This is the first ever watch with a case carved from a block of moissanite, an extraterrestrial mineral discovered in 1893 in a meteorite crater.
Moissanite is the second hardest material on earth after diamond (its hardness on the Mohs scale is between 9.25 and 9.5), making it virtually impossible to machine.
Moissanite’s light dispersion index is twice that of diamond (0.104 vs. 0.044), resulting in an extraordinary rainbow of brilliance and scintillation.
The case is cut with 600 facets (a traditionally cut diamond has just 58 facets) to magnify moissanite’s high dispersion index – and free the fire!
Extraordinary resistance meets extraordinary radiance in
a norm-defying moissanite watch case, pushing the boundaries far beyond
those of conventional materials.
ArtyA is taking innovation to a whole new level for the Only Watch 2023 charity auction with the Purity Moissanite watch. This one-of-a-kind timepiece is also a world first, and in more ways than one: Purity Moissanite not only introduces the brand’s new architectural Manufacture movement, but also a cutting-edge new case material so difficult to machine that it has never been used in watchmaking. Until now.
Fascinated by moissanite, the dazzling and lustrous mineral originating from the heart of a meteorite crater, ArtyA couldn’t resist the challenge of transforming it into a timepiece for this extremely important cause. And the result is mesmerizing.
What is it that makes the quest for Beauty so difficult?
To not only house but also showcase its new Manufacture movement, independent watchmaking brand ArtyA developed a new, unique case in moissanite. This semi-precious mineral, discovered in 1893 in a meteorite crater by Nobel Prize-winning French physicist Henri Moissan, had never before been used in the watch industry, and this despite its entrancing beauty.
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Its hardness, second only to that of diamond, makes it virtually impossible to machine. It has a melting point of 2,730 degrees Celsius – compared to 1,300 for glass – and can withstand pressures up 52.1 gigapascals (equivalent to more than 500,000 ATM). Its hardness on the Mohs scale ranges between 9.25 and 9.5, making this new watch case the most scratch-resistant ever used in horology.
Having worked on all aspects of sapphire crystal, including developing NanoSaphirTM, a sapphire crystal whose hue varies depending on ambient light, the Geneva watch brand was naturally drawn to moissanite and its dazzling aesthetic properties. Its physical properties, however, meant ArtyA had to develop new and exclusive processes to machine this mineral – silicon carbide in its native state; its chemical formula is SiC – of extraterrestrial origin from beyond the solar system.
With a dispersion index twice that of diamond (0.104 vs. 0.044), moissanite has a transfiguring effect on the watch case, revealing an extraordinary rainbow of brilliance and scintillation – an intense fire amplified by the case’s 600 facets (a traditionally cut diamond, by comparison, has 58). The painstaking faceting also creates the perception of a movement floating within a perfectly cut gemstone. The slightest movement of the wrist sparks a new symphony of colors, enchanting to behold.
This one-of-a-kind timepiece was the brainchild of Stanislas Arpa, who joined the ArtyA team to maintain the momentum of the brand’s creative product development.
Purity – the new Manufacture caliber
The latest iteration of the Purity Tourbillon family of high complications, the Purity builds on the exceptional architecture of its predecessors to offer a high-flying caliber with a 4Hz balance. Optimized skeletonization, prominent hand-beveling, along with all the savoir-faire accumulated by the Geneva-based brand – this Manufacture movement is quintessentially ArtyA. It is the fruit of a three-year quest to deliver a caliber at once uncompromising, reliable, and generous. Its bridges are designed to project the finest visual harmony, with an interplay of curved shapes and layers that brings out all the work behind the movement. As with all Artya high complications, this new caliber showcases the most refined treatments and finishes. All bridges are sandblasted with chilled cast iron, then hand-beveled, a time-consuming step whose outcome shines through magnificently in this skeletonized movement.
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To develop this superb mechanism, Yvan Arpa and his team joined forces with Telos in a creative and dynamic partnership. Telos, recognized for its unmatched expertise in the design and production of high-quality watch movements, perfectly complements ArtyA's creative vision and innovation. The result is this unique timepiece.
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Together, they keep pushing the boundaries for excellence, combining the traditional art of watchmaking with the latest technological advances. The partnership between ArtyA and Telos opens new perspectives for creating unique timepieces destined to captivate discerning enthusiasts the world over.
Technical details
Movement
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Diameter: 31.40 mm
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Thickness: 7 mm
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Offset hour and minute dials at 3 o’clock
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Double barrel in parallel, 72 hours of power reserve
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Balance frequency: 4Hz (28,800 vph).
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Number of jewels: 22
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Number of components: 134
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Maximum torque: 820 gr/mm
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Traditional balance adjustment via fixed stud
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NAC galvanic treatment
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Bridges, dial and plate sandblasted with chilled cast iron and hand-beveled
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Crown positions: Position 1 - Manual winding, Position 2 - Time setting
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Case
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Bezel and case middle entirely cut with more than 600 facets to magnify the moissanite’s fire (dispersion index of moissanite: 0.104 – vs. 0.044 for diamond)
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Diameter: 45mm
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Thickness: 13.8mm
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Water resistance: 8 ATM (80 meters)
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Strap
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High-quality, hand-stitched leather
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