Cyrus Watches represents a daring wager. First of all on a family level, inspired by the vision of two cousins, Julien and Laurent Lecamp. With the help of a third partner, they invested their personal assets and energies into launching their company in 2010 after four years of development. Secondly, in aesthetic terms, with models endowed with an extremely powerful identity. And lastly, technically speaking, with models right from the word go featuring exemplary finishing and patented complications – retailing at between CHF 10,000 and CHF 150,000, representing a bold move in itself for such a youthful brand.
At Baselworld 2013, between its Kuros and Kelpcys lines, Cyrus is introducing its third collection, christened Kambys.
“Our inspiration once again stems from the history of King Cyrus the Great, who conquered Babylon. Our collections all begin with a K for King. “Kuros” means Cyrus in Greek, “Klepcys” naturally evokes the clepsydra, while “Kambys” is named after Cyrus’ son”, explains Laurent Lecamp, CEO.
First in-house movement
This new Kambys will boast several features that are completely new to the brand. The first is its 100% in-house design, apart from the escapement, under the guidance of Jean-François Mojon, who already supported Cyrus in developing the Klepcys. The name of this calibre is “7778, which is simply the addition of the years of birth of my cousin and I”, says Laurent Lecamp with a smile. It is a calibre driving hours, minutes and seconds – with the latter being divided between three 20-second counters.”
The second distinctive characteristic lies in its manual winding, whereas the previous two models were self-winding. “We really fought to take this idea to its logical conclusion”, points out Laurent Lecamp, “and we did so against the tide of general advice in favour of a new self-winding model”. The Kambys has thus been equipped with a hand-wound movement powered by twin barrels. The seven-day power reserve is indicated not by a traditional hand, but instead by three marbles respectively showing three days, two days and two days of power reserve. “Each of these marbles drops down along one axis as the power reserve dwindles”, says Laurent Lecamp. The resulting dial animation is truly unique in the watchmaking field.
Hidden complications
Finally, the last distinctive feature is a set of three indications that are alternatively unveiled by pressing the pusher on the crown at 3 o’clock. Laurent Lecamp confides that “these are secret indications engraved on the dial. At the first press, a rotating disc reveals a lion and a bull, symbolising the Babylonian currency, the first in history, produced 2,500 years ago by Cresus… for Cyrus! The next press unveils the model’s series number, while the third shows an inscription such as “Limited Series” or a personalised text.
With its 290 parts housed within a 50 mm case, the Kambys radiates a spirit that is both technical and playful. It comes in two versions: titanium and black DLC-coated titanium/pink gold.
The very first watch in this collection, unveiled at Baselworld, is destined for the Only Watch 2013 charity auction and is to be entirely personalised. Subsequent examples will be available in boutiques as of October 2013.
