Ateliers deMonaco Admiral Chronographe Flyback Prato
The Ateliers deMonaco Admiral Chronographe Flyback Prato features an innovative movement, intriguing dial and an ergonomic case. Angus Davies looks closely at this exclusive timepiece, limited to just 88 pieces. This detailed review of the Ateliers deMonaco Admiral Chronographe Flyback Prato includes live images, specification details and pricing.
Exclusivity is a function of limited supply. This scarcity can be genuine or artificial. My teenage son has queued an inordinate amount of time to secure a pair of training shoes bearing a particular logo. Moreover, he has paid a king’s ransom to secure said pair of trainers, explaining they are rare. Despite his best efforts to justify this expenditure, I remain unconvinced.
However, there are some products which are scarce owing to their protracted creation. Indeed, genuine luxury shuns mass production. The creation of an elegant item, brimming with excellence, often necessitates a high quotient of craftsmanship. Deft, time-served hands impart value to an item, bestowing longevity and performance.
French supercar manufacturer, Prato, and the high-end watch company, Ateliers deMonaco, both understand exclusivity, luxury and craftsmanship. The two firms produce limited volumes of products. In November 2017, the two companies formed a strategic partnership based on their shared passion for performance.
Prato Automobiles is based in the French Alps. The company, founded in 2011, produces no-compromise ‘hypercars’. One model, the Orage is equipped ‘with the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 engine’. This powerplant is capable of hurling the Orage to a limited top speed of 229.9mph.
Shortly after the commencement of their partnership, Ateliers deMonaco created the Tourbillon Oculus 1297 Orage watch. Sales of this timepiece were restricted to owners of Orage models. The strap incorporated a microchip, allowing the owner to open the doors and start the vehicle. This year, Ateliers deMonaco has released two models bearing the Prato name, these timepieces are available to all individuals with an appreciation for fine watchmaking.
The Ateliers deMonaco Admiral Chronographe Flyback Prato is available in two variants, a brooding black steel version, with black DLC treatment, and a fresh-faced model with a highly polished steel case. Personally, I prefer the latter option and during Baselworld 2018, I grasped the opportunity to scrutinise this new watch and appraise its composition at close quarters.
The dial
In order to create the dial, Ateliers deMonaco looked to the automotive field and embraced a fabrication method termed forged carbon.
Forged carbon is made using carbon fibre thread, cut and weighed precisely, combined with resin, placed in a mould and heated under pressure. In this instance, gold is mixed with the carbon fibre thread and resin. After the block of carbon fibre is removed from the mould, it is trimmed and ‘refined to achieve the perfect shape’. The resultant appearance of the dial is fascinating with its marble-like appearance. Because the position of each fibre and piece of gold within the mould is random, no two dials are the same.
This is not the first time I have seen forged carbon, however, it is the first time I have seen the lightweight material paired with 18-carat white gold. The end result is stunning.
Despite the cutting-edge use of forged carbon, the dial exudes a classical air. The hours and minutes are proclaimed with Dauphine hands. The svelte central chronograph seconds hand features a counterweight, reinforcing the traditional mien.
Two subdials dominate the dial. A 30-minute chronograph register is positioned adjacent the crown, while a small seconds display is located opposite. The subdials consist of slender, marked circlets which reveal much of the dial surface. Again, Dauphine hands impart information.
Each hour is indicated with Roman numerals. The numerals are ‘polished, curved and applied’. They are treated with black PVD, bestowing a discreet aesthetic. A chemin de fer encircles the dial area. It features silver-toned, diamond-shaped markers, augmenting legibility.
The watchmaker’s name is proclaimed on a cartouche beneath noon, while the car marque’s logo is presented above 6 o’clock.
The case
It may seem strange to house this genteel creation within a stainless steel case, ignoring the obvious allure of gold. However, this is no ordinary steel. The 42mm case has been subjected to a hardening treatment called ‘armure’. The steel is ‘treated with a chemical process of diffusion of carbon at low temperature which hardens the surface of the steel’. By treating the stainless steel case using this method, the hardness is increased from 220 Vickers to 1200 Vickers, making the metal about five times more scratch resistant.
All surfaces are highly polished. Each square millimetre is incredibly smooth, denoting a degree of refinement sadly lacking with cheaper watches. The case is endowed with soft, gentle curves. There is nothing harsh or sharp about the exterior surfaces of this exquisite timepiece.
The trapezium-shaped push-pieces feature rounded corners, providing a welcome alternative to the round or square shapes often used. Each edge is wonderfully defined, exhibiting a notable quotient of tactile delight.
Although the lugs arc only slightly downwards, the ergonomic fit is superb. The hand-stitched alligator leather strap is paired with a steel folding buckle.
The movement
The self-winding dMc-760 caliber can be viewed via the exhibition case-back. The balance has a frequency of 28,800 VpH (4Hz) and the movement contains 32 jewels. The power reserve is a modest 38 hours.
The Ateliers deMonaco Admiral Chronographe Flyback Prato features the brand’s patented ‘Direct return to zero’ mechanism. Similar to other flyback mechanisms, the wearer can stop, reset and start the chronograph in one step, merely by pressing the pushpiece at 4 o’clock. However, this is where the similarities with other flyback chronographs end.
With the patented ‘Direct return to zero’ mechanism the flyback hammer is ‘programmed to action and disengage the chronograph clutch wheel, engage the brake, and turn the chronograph’s second and minute wheel all at the same time’.
This is not a fully integrated chronograph; it consists of a base movement and a separate module for the flyback chronograph mechanism. Personally, I am a bit of a ‘chronograph snob’, always favouring an integrated movement, however, I did have to rethink my position with this movement.
I repeatedly actuated the chronograph during my time with the watch and noted its incredibly positive and smooth action.
There is a high degree of craftsmanship on this watch. The oscillating weight is hand engraved and looks beautiful. The main plate is adorned with crisp and defined perlage. Furthermore, the perlage is superbly executed with each circular motif precisely overlapping its neighbour. The central bridge area is embellished with circular satin-finishing. Blued screws complete the inventory of high-end finishing.
Closing remarks
Over the years, I have looked at Ateliers deMonaco from afar. However, this is the first time I have got close to one of the brand’s models and the experience has left me with a positive impression of the company.
There are numerous attributes which distinguish the Ateliers deMonaco Admiral Chronographe Flyback Prato as exceptional.
The dial of the Ateliers deMonaco Admiral Chronographe Flyback Prato is fascinating to behold. The forged carbon with white gold inclusions confers an interesting horological vista. Indeed, the surface of the dial resembles marble, symbolically implying longevity.
While the dial harnesses modern-day know-how, it remains classical. The Dauphine hands, the Roman numerals, the cartouche and the chemin de fer are typical of watches from yesteryear, making the dial of this watch an exemplar of grace.
The case design is sublime. Each elegant contour is wonderfully resolved with an impressive degree of surface smoothness. The armure case treatment affords scratch resistance, helping to maintain the showroom-fresh condition of the watch.
The movement is beautifully finished and harnesses the brand’s patented ‘Direct return to zero’ mechanism. Despite being a modular chronograph, the push-piece feel is impressive.
The Genevan watch company is only producing 88 examples of the Admiral Chronographe Flyback Prato which is not surprising given the time-consuming composition of its form. Indeed, Ateliers de Monaco demonstrates that exclusivity is the result of no-compromise manufacturing.
Further reading
Technical specifications
- Model: Ateliers deMonaco Admiral Chronographe Flyback Prato
- Case: Stainless steel; diameter 42mm, height 13.3mm; sapphire crystal to front and caseback; water resistant to 5 ATM (50 metres).
- Functions: Hours; minutes; small seconds; chronograph
- Movement: dMc-760 caliber; Self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 VpH (4Hz); 32 jewels; power reserve 38 hours.
- Strap: Hand-stitched alligator leather strap with stainless steel folding buckle
- Price: CHF 15,200 (RRP as at 2.7.2018)