Winch Design & Thomas Mercer Create ‘Nautilus’ Horological Sculpture

The London-based design studio have teamed up with compatriots and bespoke chronometer makers Thomas Mercer to create a beautiful one-of-a-kind horological sculpture that celebrates the marine world and nautical interior design - and would make the ultimate statement piece for a superyacht,

Called ‘Nautilus’ – a word that derives from the Latin form of the original Ancient Greek: ναυτίλος (nautílos) which means sailor – the unique sculptural timepiece takes its inspiration from the natural world. For the project, Andrew Winch and his design team studied the shapes, curves and proportions of shells collected from beaches around the world.

The imposing kiln-cast glass sculpture is made of fine Bohemian crystal, the signature work of the world-renowned Crystal Caviar, and features deep and complex blue hues that create the illusion of looking through the ocean waters to treasures below.

Featuring a perpetual calendar which displays date, month and leap year in addition to the zodiac, the celestial coordinates are completed with a delicate 3-D moon sphere, providing the different lunar phases.

The mechanism of the clock itself is housed in a tube case made of extra-white crystal which offers an all-around view of the inner workings. The elegant open-work dial magnifies the intricacies of the multi-complicated movement. The hands are steel-made, hand-finished with bluing technique, while the double chain-fusee drive provides the movement with a 30-day power reserve.

"It has been a great privilege to collaborate with Thomas Mercer on this unique timepiece, said Andrew Winch. “Time remains to me the ultimate luxury, and Nautilus not only embodies this, but also reflects Winch Design's commitment to precision, expertise and beauty, and above all our love of the ocean" 

The Nautilus is available to purchase, with pricing available on request.