Watch of the Week: Rudis Sylva Harmonious Oscillator

The true test for any watch is the test of time. Are its design and concept still captivating even when it has been on the market for some time, and you have seen and handled it on several occasions? Perhaps the best testimony what happens when this is the case took place at Baselworld we were reunited with the Harmonious Oscillator by Rudis Sylva.

Although this watch was introduced a few years ago, and we had already spent a couple of days handling and photographing the most amazing new watches, the Harmonious Oscillator still made a profound impression.

The complication can best be described as two mechanically interlinked balances driven by a single escapement, or a one-minute tourbillon with two balance wheels integrated within. While the tourbillon construction eliminates the influence of gravity, each balance wheel also eliminates the rate variance of the other, as when one is expanding, the other one pulling together at the same time. This creates what is called “harmonious oscillation,” increasing the accuracy of the watch.

Why the complication by itself is utterly impressive, it is the different levels of movement and dial that truly make this watch captivating. The entire composition fills the 44mm case fully, with only a small bezel. The dial by itself is only taking up part of the space, but is easy to read and can visually stand its ground against the various textures of the bridges, barrels, and main plate of the movement.

Rudis Sylva is a small brand, and that allows them to put extra focus on the finish. There are also one of the few brands that still create guilloche by hand. In most manufactures, this is done these days by stamping, but Rudis Sylva still has the vintage machines, as well as the knowledge and craftsmanship, to create this by hand.

It is elements like this that make it that the Harmonious Oscillator is so much more than just a novel, technical invention, and that is probably why these watches continue to make an impression, whenever you see them.

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