The latest from Code 41;

We’ve experienced 9 exciting months of development by your side. Your thousands of votes and comments have allowed us to make the NB24 chronograph a reality, which we here at CODE41 are really proud about. Rather than going with a simple standard movement, we’ve made the mad move of creating an exceptional movement with a peripheral weight integrated into the dial side. It’s rare and complex, but what a joy it is to have it on your wrist!

Mechanical movements are extremely complex, and nowadays are only produced by a few manufacturers. Developing such a movement costs around 3 to 5 million euros, and can take up to 5 years to perfect. In addition, based on series of a few thousand watches per year, the production cost for each movement is around 3,000 euros.

In that case, how have we been able to create our very own movement, fitted with a peripheral weight on the dial side, for only 1,000 euros?

As the chronograph is one of our partner Concepto’s specialties, we’ve been able to make use of their base, constructed using the architecture of the famous Valjoux 7750 movement, known for its robustness and reliability. Then we’ve modified it by moving the counters, redesigning the bridges, and above all adding a peripheral weight on the dial side. This rare complication alone accounts for a third of the cost of production. It’s important to point out that all of the components, except for the mainspring and the jewels, are produced in-house.

So-called ‘automatic’ mechanical movements are fitted with an oscillating weight that recharges the watch through wrist movements (no battery required). As it swings from left to right, the weight rewinds the mainspring, which stores the energy required for the mechanism to function correctly.

NB24 PERIPHERAL OSCILLATING WEIGHT

STANDARD OSCILLATING WEIGHT

Verdict: There are a fantastic range of personalisation options with this model, from carbon fibre to titanium cases, various dial and sub-dial colours, straps etc. At 42mm it’s the perfect size for many, and with a 1-500 numbered edition, you have collector value too. It’s a technical tour-de-force in terms of making the bob weight rotate on the dial side, rather than on the caseback side of the movement – you have to admire that complication. £3100 is expensive, but then so is £1700 for an Oris which has the same movement inside as £900 Tissot.

Check the Code 41 video out;

You have to love the NB24 for its skeleton dial design, unique auto rotor mod, Swiss finishing and limited edition numbers. You will wait a long time before it realises £3000 on the pre-owned market, so make sure you buy into the Code 41 cause, not just the watch ownership.

More at Code 41.