Trapezium is a word that sounds both geometric and acrobatic. Does that mean it is both difficult to compute and perform? Yes. Those adjectives more than likely define this new watch by Cabestan well. The new Trapezium is an evolved version of their famous Winch Tourbillon Vertical watch and is the brainchild of Cabestan’s own (and very talented) Eric Coudray.

Among other things Coudray is the guy behind the Jaeger-LeCoultre Gyrotourbillon. He thrives in producing highly complex, highly accurate tiny machines that few other people can make. Using the same principles as the Winch Tourbillon Vertical, the Trapezium offers a drum and fusee & chain system (with tourbillon) for telling the time and making the watch operate. Compared to the original, I believe that the overall system actually works better here, and the name of the Trapezium comes form the case itself. What is that all about? In Cabestan’s own words:

“In Euclidian geometry, a quadrilateral with one pair of parallel sides is called a trapezoid, or trapezium. This simple, yet elegant geometric form was the concept from which the new Cabestan Trapezium evolved. Applied to the world of watchmaking, this mathematical principle is magnified. Regardless of the viewing angle, a trapezium is visible. The result is an intricately woven combination of quadrilaterals that creates a strikingly powerful design and a remarkable showcase for its amazing mechanism.”

I am still tying to wrap my head around that, but that is what the case shape is all about. The case (available in various materials I believe) will once again be enhanced with a series of sapphire crystal windows to view the movement from all angles. One of the largest improvements here over the Winch Tourbillon Vertical is the winding and setting system. There are two crowns on the watch (one for setting the time and the other for winding) which have two little arms that fold out when you want to use them. They are located on either side of the case.

The movement will still have a vertically mounted tourbillon, and look as fantastic as ever. In my opinion the movements that Eric Coudray create are among the most beautiful and visually fantastic in the world. More machine than art, he exhibits the craft of machine miniaturization wonderfully. I will wait to see the Cabestan Trapezium eagerly and hopefully offer a full report. Price according to Cabestan will be 240,000 Swiss Francs.