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La Tour - Black & Gold
La Tour - Black & Gold
Modernist skeleton clock. 4" desk clock with glass dome, 8-day power reserve
180+ years of excellence. Designed and produced entirely in-house in Delémont Switzerland
$4,000.00
  • About This Work
    La Tour Noire
    La Tour Noire Gold edition
    skeleton hands
    Glass dome detail and vertical construction with skeleton hands
    backview and escapement
    Escapement and backview
    La Tour silver edition
    La Tour Black & Silver edition

    Function dictates form. La Tour is inspired by modernist architecture and design of the early 1920s where principles of function dictates form and less is more. A succession of geartrains defines the plates’ curvature to form a single, uncluttered whole skeleton movement. La Tour is a contemporary descendant of the 20th century’s modernist wave that paved the way for many of today’s pared-down creations. As clockmaking is not the simplest of art forms, L’Epée 1839 has grappled with numerous constraints on its road to creating the very best, successfully adapting its designs to technical complexities.

    THE MOVEMENT
    The movement is composed of 143 pieces entirely designed, produced and assembled in the workshops of L’Epée 1839 in Delémont Switzerland. La Tour and La Tour Noire editions feature two plates finished in gold, palladium or black varnish, a complete geartrain outlining the movement, and an escapement. A unique key is used to both wind the 8-day power reserve and set the time. The Côtes de Genève on the front plates add texture and verticality to the creation.

    THE DOME
    La Tour is enclosed in a removeable protective dome composed of a base (black varnished or gold or palladium plated depending on the clock finish) and mineral glass dome. The dome encasement both protects the horological movement from dust and human intrusions and creates a play of light and reflections on the La Tourmechanism.

    ****

    La Tour is available in 4 editions: Gold (gold plated, Black & Gold (gold plated and black lacquered), Silver (palladium plated), and Black & Silver (palladium plated and black lacquered). The Noire editions have the same movement, but replaces the respective domes with a black lacquered dome.

  • Technical Specs
    • OPEN EDITION
    • Gold (76.6587/001)
    • Silver (76.6587/121)
    • Black & Gold (76.6587/201)
    • Silver & Gold (76.6587/211)
    • Noire Gold (76.6589/001)
    • Noire Silver (76.6589/121)
    • Noire Black & Gold (76.6589/201)
    • Noire Silver & Gold (76.6589/211)
    • FUNCTIONS
    • Displays hours and minutes
    • Unique key for setting time and winding movement
    • MEASUREMENTS
    • Dimensions: 4.25h x 2.4w x 1.9d in (10.8 x 6 x 4.9 cm)
    • Weight: 2.5 lbs (1.1 kg)
    • MOVEMENT
    • L’Epée 1839 in-house designed and manufactured
    • 1853 HMD caliber
    • Single barrel
    • Power reserve: 8 days
    • Components: 143
    • Balance frequency: 18,000 bph / 2.5Hz
    • Movement: brass (with gold, palladium or black lacquer)
    • Manual winding: actuated by a specially designed key that also sets the time
    • DOME
    • Mineral Glass
    • FINISHINGS
    • Polished, sand-blasted with cicular satin finish
    • Black, Gold or Palladium coated
  • Quick Help & Manual
    • Download manufacturer manual
    • Important handling care

      Improper handling can damage your timepiece.

      no touch

      • Be very careful to never touch the movement of La Tour either on the front, the back or the sides of the movement, except when winding up the clock with the appropriate L’Epée key.
      • The movement should never be in contact with any liquids (inlcuding vaporized form). If this occurs, the clock should be serviced immediately.
      • Fingerprints can damage the clock and glass dome surfaces.
    • Mineral glass dome care

      La Tour comes with its own transparent dome, fitting over the top of the movement.

      • Except when winding or setting the time, the dome should remain on to protect the clock from dust, humidity and human intrusions which can cause damages and delays.
      • Be careful to always take off the dome from the base and then clean the glass with a soft and dry cloth.
      • Fingerprints can damage the glass dome surfaces.
    • Winding the movement

      To wind the movement, use the doubledepth square key placed at the back of the clock.

      wind

      • Use the key provided with La Tour only.
      • Wind anti-clockwise only.
      • Wind up the spring completely. At the end of the winding procedure, you will feel the necessary force increase significantly; DO NOT wind further as this is the sign that the movement is fully wound and you could damage the clock.
      • The movement should be fully wound every 8 days.
    • Setting the time

      To set the time, use the doubledepth square key placed at the back of the clock.

      set time

      • Use the key provided with La Tour only.
      • Use the smaller diameter end of the key to turn the hand-setter. Turn anti-clockwise only.
      • Setting the time in the wrong way can damage the mechanism and require service.
    • Where not to display

      Keep your clock protected under the mineral glass dome.

      • Do not display near any source of heat or vibrations.
      • Do not display in a direct air conditioning flow.
      • Do not permanently expose the clock to direct sunlight.
      • Do not display in a humid environment and/or where dew point is reached.
      • Do not display in a location prone to dust.
      • Do not place the clock where it could incur unintentional knocks.
    • Cleaning

      Use only a soft and dry cloth to clean the clock. Dust and particles contained in the cloth could scratch parts. Do not use any kind of cleaning products to wipe the clock or the skull. Never try to clean the movement or its parts; they should be cleaned by an authorized repair technician only.

    • Servicing

      As for all Horological pieces of art, it is recommended to periodically service your clock. A mechanical masterpiece requires fine oils for the lubrication of the movement. These oils deteriorate over the years. We advise to have the movement overhauled every five years. Never try to clean the movement or the hands.

    • Warranty & repairs

      L’Épée 1839's clocks are guaranteed against any manufacturing or operational defects for two years from the date of purchase according to the following conditions: Broken springs and damage caused by incorrect usage are excluded from the international warranty, as is any possible oxidation caused by the local climate. The warranty certificate duly filled in and signed by the retailer must be sent with the clock for any repairs carried out under warranty.

      L’Épée 1839's clocks are developed to ensure optimal accuracy and reliability. It is well accepted for a fine mechanical clock to have a few seconds variation per day and their clocks are set so as not to delay. However if you should notice a bigger variation, please contact an authorized dealer who will advise you, or a L’Épée 1839 technical support center which will proceed with the necessary adjustment.

      Never attempt to repair or dismantle Requiem yourself or by an unauthorized repair shop. Contact us to find an authorized repair technician.

  • Pre-Sale Questions
    Email or call the gallery with any question 1-800-724-1215
La Tour Noire
La Tour Noire Gold edition
skeleton hands
Glass dome detail and vertical construction with skeleton hands
backview and escapement
Escapement and backview
La Tour silver edition
La Tour Black & Silver edition

Function dictates form. La Tour is inspired by modernist architecture and design of the early 1920s where principles of function dictates form and less is more. A succession of geartrains defines the plates’ curvature to form a single, uncluttered whole skeleton movement. La Tour is a contemporary descendant of the 20th century’s modernist wave that paved the way for many of today’s pared-down creations. As clockmaking is not the simplest of art forms, L’Epée 1839 has grappled with numerous constraints on its road to creating the very best, successfully adapting its designs to technical complexities.

THE MOVEMENT
The movement is composed of 143 pieces entirely designed, produced and assembled in the workshops of L’Epée 1839 in Delémont Switzerland. La Tour and La Tour Noire editions feature two plates finished in gold, palladium or black varnish, a complete geartrain outlining the movement, and an escapement. A unique key is used to both wind the 8-day power reserve and set the time. The Côtes de Genève on the front plates add texture and verticality to the creation.

THE DOME
La Tour is enclosed in a removeable protective dome composed of a base (black varnished or gold or palladium plated depending on the clock finish) and mineral glass dome. The dome encasement both protects the horological movement from dust and human intrusions and creates a play of light and reflections on the La Tourmechanism.

****

La Tour is available in 4 editions: Gold (gold plated, Black & Gold (gold plated and black lacquered), Silver (palladium plated), and Black & Silver (palladium plated and black lacquered). The Noire editions have the same movement, but replaces the respective domes with a black lacquered dome.