In Corsica on July 5th, 2005 French diver Pascal Bernabé broke the World Record for a deep-sea dive used a self-contained breathing apparatus (without medical assistance or the possibility of being rescued in case an accident was to occur). That day, he was wearing, along with his dive gear, the first ever watch designed by Ralf Tech, the WR1, bearing the record’s name. Pascal Bernabé reached -330 meters in less than 35 minutes during his descent into the pitch-black depths and took almost 9 hours to come back up the surface, having changed his scuba tank 26 times, and going through several different levels of decompression. This record is not only human but technological. No other dive watch has ever gone that deep while being worn on a diver’s wrist. 14 years after beating the World Record, the WRV WRV Automatic Cronograph Barracuda is the direct successor of the 2005 WR1.
Greatly inspired by the 70’s, the WRV is a bridge between two eras. Both vintage and contemporary, it combines the best of both worlds through a complex and elegant design reminiscent of the seventies, while also incorporating today’s technology. Following the WRV’s design, this newcomer shares almost nothing in common. Presented in Basel last March, this piece is 100% new.
A new case: 43.9mm is the diameter of the new WRV chronograph. Alternating between polished and satin-finished surfaces, its crown is pointed at 3 o’clock (previously off-centre on the automatic WRV) with two pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock. These push-buttons making it possible to activate the chronograph are of course – as for any professional watch – permanently screwed-in to prevent any untimely activation. Lastly, its saphire crystal is 3.5mm thick and makes it one of the thickest crystals on today’s watch market, for waterproofing purposes.
A new movement: Made in Japan, the new RT002® movement is a watchmaking masterpiece. This automatic chronograph movement possesses 292 parts and 34 jewel bearings, perfectly combining mechanical watchmaking tradition with the high-precision chronograph functions. Most importantly, the chronograph activation mechanism is designed with a column wheel mechanism. Considered by both industry and collectors as the most sought-after chronograph mechanism, the column wheel offers a very soft touch because of its vertical clutch, which makes it much more pleasant to wear than the horizontal cam lever chronograph system used in traditional Swiss movements.
A new dial: Panda… This name, well known to savvy collectors, means that, just as panda bears are black and white, with their black eyes and snout contrasted by their white fur, the new WRV Automatic Chronograph’s dial is white with black counters or – and then there’s the Inverted Panda – black with white dials. Inspired by 1960s chronographs, the WRV Automatic Chronograph “Barracuda” brings us back to a time when scuba diving was considered a dangerous sport reserved for a well-informed public.
A new bracelet : supported by a French Navy parachute strap, the WRV “Barracuda” Automatic Chronograph underlines the link between Ralf Tech and the French Navy. This system was invented in the 1970s by marine commandos because at the time, the watches they were sent were delivered… without bracelets! This clever craftsmanship has ever since become synonymous with performance and comfort when worn.
A new workshop: Once again, Ralf Tech, being a French company, is committed to employing French artisan craftsmen. The new WRV Automatic Chronograph is assembled in France and more precisely in the country’s capital, Paris.
The WRV “Barracuda” Automatic Chronograph is available in 3 different designs, one with a Panda dial, two with inverted Panda dials, two with 316L surgical steel cases, and one with a black PVD coated case.
