Renowned independent watchmaker Edouard Koehn has come up with a one-of-a-kind wristwatch that combines two functions not often seen in a timepiece together: a universal time and an alarm function.
Constant travellers will get much use out of The World Heritage II which has a world-time view of the main cities in each timezone on the central disc. Whereas the circumference is reserved for the alarm function which can be set using the crown situated at 4 o’clock, indicated by a red arrowhead hand.
The watch is limited to 88 pieces and comes with a striking guilloché dial and is crafted in grade 5 titanium, a material that is not only exceptionally lightweight but produces a unique acoustic when the alarm chimes.
The engine runs on an exclusive automatic mechanical movement crafted in collaboration with Concepto, an independent manufacturer of high-end mechanical movements based in La Chaux de Fonds Switzerland, which is also Edouard Koehn’s home turf.
Equipped with a double barrel, the timepiece beats at a 4Hz frequency and runs on a 48-hour power reserve.
Building a watch like the World Heritage II comes with a strong background of notable horological experience which can be said of the independent watchmaker whose history dates back to the 19th century when a 20-year-old Mr Edouard Koehn, a German native, travelled to Switzerland to attend the Geneva School of Watchmaking.
Koehn later went on to start his career at Patek Philippe where he eventually became one of the partners of the manufacturer. In 1891, he set out to open his own eponymous brand with his son, Edouard Koehn Jr.
The brand underwent a revival when it relaunched in 2020, and continues to produce small quantities of exceptional precision timepieces. Helmed by CEO Bernard R. Fleury, who was recently in Kuala Lumpur to showcase the new collections, Edouard Koehn has a unique position among horological enthusiasts in the Asian region.
“I think today we are in a very interesting position because the market is also changing from the customer’s viewpoint and they are highly interested in independent brands,” Fleury tells The Peak.
Catering to a clientele of highly knowledgeable enthusiasts, Edouard Koehn timepieces offer a dual aesthetic of mechanical refinement and artistry, two glaringly obvious traits that can be observed through the World Heritage II or as Fleury puts it: ”Whatever we do, we do it with our passion and our hearts first, then we are also driven by creativity.”
