• Cabestan’s Sol Invictus is a solar powered timepiece for $560,000

  • Cabestan-Sol-Invictus-Watch.jpg
    Keeping a tab on time in green style is the latest luxurious trend. And Cabestan’s high-priced solar powered timepiece demonstrates that. Dubbed, Sol Invictus, it is fitted with a new technique that has been evolved for producing and treating silicium crystals that can be used to produce highly efficient solar cells that are suitable for small surfaces and low luminosity. A technical genius, this timepiece holds the title of being the world’s first commercial utilization of this groundbreaking technology. The blending of solar technology with traditional watch making skills has resulted in this spectacular timepiece. Roll over to understand the mechanism of this eco-luxurious watch…….


    Two brushless micromotors (typically used in medical field) are used, one for rewinding the movement and the other for setting the time. A miniature controller regulates and amplifies the electrical charge, manages the two micromotors via a programmable oscillator and assures the direction and the speed of the motor while a twin-blade electromechanical contact is used to open and close the electrical circuit. Jean-François Ruchonnet, working with Marc Alfieri (whose designs have inspired the watchcase of this timepiece), placed his spectacular vertical Cabestan movement in the center of the timepiece. He then added two solar panels mounted in metal frames that are held in place by skillfully designed pivots. The micromotors and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are visible under the solar cells. The complex mechanism that links the crown to the movement also features a striking 30 mm long axle that traverses the movement in its width.
    Jean-François Ruchonnet has added his own touch to the watchcase restyling it by giving it an elegantly curved shape, a single curved crystal, a lateral window at 9 o’clock and a sapphire case back.
    The mechanical wonder, that is the Sol Invictus, will boast of a $560,000 price tag and be made on demand according to customer’s requirements.
    Via – [Luxurylaunches]

    Posted in Topics:Gadgets and Tech, Tags: , on March 19, 2010