Manufacture Royale, founded in 1770 by Voltaire, its amazing models have been given it a new lease of life and Ttrue to the Age of Enlightenment which saw science and philosophy take giant leaps forward, the French brand has soared with the fake 1770 Micromegas Revolution. Giant is the best word for it!
Micromégas, the hero in the story of the same name by Voltaire, leaves his home planet Sirius to explore the universe. After lots of stops and experiences, he ends up on Earth. Alas! Tolerance and curiosity are the lessons this 39km tall gentle giant leaves mankind. Manufacture Royale has used the tale to design a timepiece with a 2-speed flying tourbillon. That’s the short story.
The very first fake Micromegas was unveiled at Baselworld in 2015. No multiple tourbillon before the 1770 Micromegas Revolution had different rotation speeds for each cage. The idea is simple. The cage on the left completes a full rotation in just 6 seconds whilst the one on the right spins ten times slower (1 minute). The two are linked by a couple stabiliser connected to the barrel. A feast for the eyes!
A new model means a new calibre and this one has a never-before-seen movement: the MR08. The MR08 calibre has a medium rotor on the front and a self-winding mechanism on ceramic balls fuelling a 40-hour power reserve. The case is true to the 1770 collection’s style. Two shafts wrap around the middle to form lugs on either side. It comes in gold or stronger and lighter titanium.
Manufacture Royale replica pays tribute to its founder’s vision with the new 1770 Micromegas Revolution and its free-thinking concepts. Since the fake Manufacture Royale’s revival, the brand has regularly brought out increasingly sophisticated new pieces. It’s a risky but bold move!