CODE41 has been on a mission of watchmaking excellence since its launch in the UK in 2018.
Taking the brand from its early beginnings with the Anomaly offering, we arrive here today with the launch of the Mecascape, named “Sublimation One.”
The release is a new mechanical watch object that transcends the usual dimensions and reveals a new architectural vision of time, space, volume and light.
A contraction of “mechanical” and “landscape”, CODE41 says it is the creation of a new category of time objects.
Detailing the piece in more depth, CODE41 explains how one has to break down space, its dimensions, and redefine proportions.
Spatial volumes have become loosened, ‘de-contracted’ and have become more generous than those afforded in a watch or a clock, which in turns requires a skillful capacity to adapt.
Everything is a question of levels of perception, of reliefs, of shadows and light.
Across its expanse, the time object is transcended and takes on a new magic.
Cut from Grade 5 titanium, the Mecascape reveals a new architectural fusion of space, time and light.
Its myriad different shapes, hemispherical, concave, spherical, the sequence of satin and polished finishes, allows a continuous play between light and shadow.
The uniqueness of the whole lies in the fact that CODE41 has achieved exactly the opposite of what is usually practiced in the world of watches and watchmaking in general: the brand has, through the multitude of components, sought to bring out the spatial volumes whilst stretching and refining the object as a whole.
Its relaxed, deconstructed space offers an original vision of the timekeeping mechanics that plays with spatial volumes while preserving harmony and natural balance.
Its singularity, the innovation of its flat movement, and its function have been technically rethought in a completely new way.
Reflecting on the launch, Claudio D’Amore, founder and CEO of CODE41, said: “My idea for the Mecascape goes back to 2009, more than 12 years ago. Today, after having founded CODE41, given birth to 6 collections, and dedicated 5 years of focused development to the project, the time has come, the maturity and the means too, to give birth to the first Mecascape.
“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.”
Looking more closely at the details of the watch, one can see the main hour counter, minute counter, seconds counter, second time zone with the representation of a world map in the heart of the GMT disc to enrich its aesthetics, and power reserve indicator.
Two small knurled crowns on each side, subtly integrated into the profile, allow the time to be set and the Mecascape to be wound mechanically in a simple and pleasant gesture, with a small push button on the side for setting the date.
While the entire “landscape” of the Mecascape is protected by an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, its solid Grade 5 titanium case back protects it from possible twisting of the case middle and ensures a solid structure, suitable for everyday life.
Finally, as a result of CODE41’s collaboration with the Cercle des Horlogers, an independent Swiss watchmaking workshop located in the Canton of Neuchâtel (halfway between Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds), the Mecascape – which was born under the impetus of Claudio D’Amore – has generated a number of extraordinary technical challenges that had to be met, starting with its unprecedented dimensions, the complex calibration of the machines and its structural integrity.
A look back at the CODE41 story:
Between March and October 2016 the CODE41 project created the first mechanical watch in collaboration with a community of 57,000 members.
It is also the first time that a watch is manufactured in a totally transparent way, under a new and singular label in the industry – and one with great meaning – initiated by CODE41: TTO, short for Total Transparency on Origin. Phase 1 came to fruition on December 22nd, 2016, with a crowdfunding campaign that raised 543,150 CHF.
2017-2019: CODE41 sets up production, distribution, logistics, after sales service… shaking up the codes and weaving strong ties with its ever-growing community. Rule number one: total transparency.
In October 2017, the dream becomes reality, the first watches are delivered. The following year, in March 2018, the X41 project sees the light of day: the first Manufacture CODE41 movement, design, case, architecture… everything is designed and developed to democratize Fine Watchmaking, for a selling price never before seen in the category: under 5,500 euros.
In less than 3 hours, the counter shows more than 1’000’000 Euros, and almost 2’000’000 euros in 48 hours.
2019-2021 marks phase 3 of the project: CODE41 empowers its community, which has been multiplied by a factor of 30. The idea is simple, inclusive, open to the world, and a powerful one whose time has come: to make it possible to part of the fabulous adventure of the creation of an exceptional watch and keep contributing to its history.
2022: Birth of the Mecascape.
You can click HERE to discover more about the brand and its offering.
