Earlier this year we brought you an in-depth introduction to young independent brand, Heritage Watch Manufactory. The company quickly made a name for themselves by building traditional chronometers by way of a patented constant force escapement (one of 5 patents they boast). Having prolific designer, Eric Giroud lend his stylings didn't hurt either. This year at Basel, HWM introduced their latest model, the Firmamentum. If you enjoy circumnavigating the oceans sans any electrical guidance systems, this is the watch you've been waiting for.
The Firmamentum is a complicated watch, but not in a way you might think. Foregoing many of the frivolous complications we so often see today, the Firmamentum's complications are entirely purpose driven and function focused. However, the function on which they are focused, navigation by the heavens, may be considered antiquated by some, and mostly foreign in nature to the average consumer. Heritage call the watch a "unique measurement and navigation instrument" and classify its type as "Hour angle instrument for the observation of heavenly bodies by means of 13 hands with two additional displays."
Sound complicated? You have no idea. So we asked it designer, Karsten Frassdorf to explain in the video above.
Warning: This is is one incredibly complicated timepiece, not meant for consumption by mere mortals.