A Precision Timepiece Not Just to Tell Time, But to Inherit Time Itself
Clocks were originally tools for telling time.
However, in an age where smartphones and smartwatches can tell us the precise time, the reason for owning a mechanical clock is no longer just "accurate time."
It is about the mechanical engineering, craftsmanship, and the culture of enjoying time itself, passed down through hundreds of years of history.
The Masterpiece is Hermle's flagship model, limited to just 25 units worldwide, representing the culmination of over 100 years of accumulated technology.
Human Time, Mechanical Pulse, Celestial Time
The dial of the Masterpiece is not just a clock.
Three different times coexist on it.
The central hour and minute hands represent "human time," marking our daily lives.
The off-center true seconds hand represents the "mechanical pulse" generated by the pendulum and escapement.
And the moon phase depicted at the top of the dial represents "celestial time," illustrating the lunar orbit cycle of approximately 29.53 days.
Humanity, machinery, the cosmos.
Different flows of time quietly harmonize within a single dial.
An Error of Only 1 Day in 100 Years
The moon at the top of the dial is not merely decorative.
It is a moon phase display showing the current lunar age.
Hermle designed a dedicated gear train solely for this moon phase.
While typical moon phases move incrementally at fixed intervals, this model rotates continuously and very slowly over 24 hours.
Its accuracy is an astonishing
error of only 1 day in 100 years.
This is not just a celestial display.
It is a beautiful yet sophisticated mechanism that symbolizes Hermle's pursuit of mechanical precision.
Furthermore, the lunar surface is hand-painted by artisans.
Each unit possesses a slightly different expression.
Runs for 30 Days on Gravity Alone
The Masterpiece does not use batteries.
Its power source is an approximately 4kg tungsten weight.
The wound weight slowly descends over 30 days, powering the entire clock using only its potential energy.
Converting the natural force of gravity into each passing second.
That is the essence of a mechanical pendulum clock.
Tungsten, being an extremely dense metal, allows for sufficient weight despite its compact size.
This results in a sophisticated, slim case design measuring 125cm in height, 25cm in width, and 14cm in depth.
Each Second Becomes the Clock's Own Pulse
The Masterpiece vibrates 3,600 times per hour (0.5Hz).
The pendulum swings in a gentle rhythm of 1 second for a single swing and 2 seconds for a complete oscillation.
The pendulum's movement is transmitted directly to the second hand via the Graham escapement.
This means that every time the second hand advances by one second, the pendulum inside the clock accurately marks one beat.
It is the rhythm of a living machine, something that cannot be experienced with electronically controlled quartz clocks.
Graham Escapement for Precision Timekeeping
The escapement is a crucial mechanism, often called the heart of a clock.
The Masterpiece features a Graham escapement, which has long been used in precision pendulum clocks.
It suppresses unnecessary interference with the pendulum, achieving stable timekeeping performance.
Furthermore, the contact parts use wear-resistant ruby pallets.
This design ensures stable operation over a long period.
Movement with Minimized Friction
Inside the movement,
- 9 ruby jewel bearings
- 8 precision ball bearings
are used.
For a clock to run for an extended period of 30 days, the limited energy obtained from gravity must be transmitted without waste.
Rubies and ball bearings are placed in optimal locations to minimize friction and wear.
This is not a flashy mechanism.
However, it is an invisible technology essential for the creation of a high-precision mechanical clock.
Engaging with the Clock Once a Month
The Masterpiece has a power reserve of approximately 30 days.
Winding the weight once a month.
This is by no means a chore.
It is a time to interact with the clock, feel its pulse, and entrust it with the next 30 days.
There is a unique pleasure in mechanical clocks that cannot be experienced with digital devices.
Design Harmonizing with Modern Architecture
Despite its imposing height of 125cm, it boasts an exceptionally slim design with a width of 25cm and a depth of 14cm.
The frameless glass case displays the internal mechanism as if it were a museum exhibit.
Rather than a traditional furniture clock,
"a modern regulator to adorn mechanical art"
That is the design concept of the Masterpiece.
Limited to 25 Units Worldwide
The Masterpiece 2026 is a special model, with only 25 units produced worldwide.
It embodies the accumulated technology since Hermle's founding and is positioned as the brand's pinnacle.
Each unit is assigned a serial number, making it a collector's piece that offers both the joy of ownership and rarity.
The Luxury of Inheriting Time
This clock is not a product designed to be replaced in a few years.
By continuing to use it with proper maintenance, it will be passed down not only to the current owner but also to the next generation, and the generations beyond.
The moon phase, with an error of only one day in 100 years, symbolizes this long time axis.
It is not just a luxury clock,
but a precision machine to be inherited by the future.
And,
a work of art for inheriting time itself.
In 100 years, whose time will this clock be ticking?
Main Specifications
- Limited to 25 units worldwide
- Made by Hermle, Germany
- 30-day power reserve high-precision movement (W7761-800114)
- Graham escapement
- Ruby pallets
- 9 ruby jewel bearings
- 8 precision ball bearings
- Approx. 4kg tungsten weight
- Off-center true seconds display
- Hand-painted moon phase
- Continuous moon phase (approx. 1-day error in 100 years)
- 3,600 vibrations per hour (0.5Hz)
- Frameless glass case
- Dimensions: H125 × W25 × D14cm
- Official European Retail Price: 25,000 EUR (incl. local VAT)
- Delivery Time: Approx. 1.5 months after order
- Returns/Cancellations: As this product is made-to-order, returns and cancellations after placing an order are not accepted. Please be aware of this beforehand.
