Alto ART 01 Falcon’s Eye

Russell Sheldrake

• Younger impartial model Alto provides a restricted version falcon’s eye dial to its catalogue. 
• Sections of the semi-precious stone have been minimize up and organized from darkest within the centre to lightest on the surface to characterize an actual eye. 
• Restricted to only 12 items, it should price €61,500.

On the subject of esoteric younger manufacturers, Alto units the benchmark for the way far you may push boundaries in conventional watchmaking circles with out technically breaking any guidelines. The precocious start-up entered the market final yr with the ART 01 and its staggeringly complicated case, dial, crystal, and motion that appeared to ask questions of the remainder of the business – with a faceted, curved sapphire creating dazzling results on a terraced dial, sitting inside an elongated octagon case and all operating off a bespoke motion with a backwards-running seconds hand. In different phrases, there’s a lot to get your head round in the case of Alto – and now this disruptor has introduced out its third watch, which not solely leans in on the development of stone dials however does so in a sometimes Alto trend.

This new watch reinterprets two novel options from the unique ART 01. Firstly, its distinctive slatted dial is now fully produced from the semi-precious stone falcon’s eye. This deep inexperienced stone can carry many alternative colors and shades by it and lean to extremely complicated patterns when minimize usually, however Alto has gone a few steps additional and has determined to use the stone to its slatted dial design, arranging these slats in order that the color gradient fades because it will get to the centre, like an actual eye.

Not solely is the extent of consideration in the case of these particulars extremely spectacular from Alto’s Inventive Director Raphael Abeillon, however the talent of the dial makers to provide these dials is sort of unmatched, for my part. Whereas there are many different stone dials on the market proper now (with the quantity seemingly rising by the day) this one feels prefer it takes the idea of stone marquetry and elevates to a degree no different model has considered going to earlier than.

The subsequent change from the unique is within the case materials, the place light-weight titanium has been swapped for luxurious 3N yellow gold. The satin end has stayed the identical, giving a way of continuity within the design language, however the addition of yellow gold not solely helps elevate the stone dial but in addition provides a hotter tone for the wealthy inexperienced to play off, with out overpowering it due to the satin-brushed end.

The whole lot else inside this watch stays the identical. The A01 calibre nonetheless sits inside, with its backwards-running seconds hand. This motion was developed particularly for Alto by specialists Le Cercle des Horlogers and has an interesting structure to it which speaks to the traditional automotive inspiration that lies behind the watch. Powered by a thick micro-rotor, it has a 48-hour energy reserve with bridges produced from gold-plated titanium.

Total, this watch pushes Alto ahead within the path that its founder Thibaud Guittard had meant when he began it final yr. As they proceed to make watches that really feel extra like idea automobiles fairly than a day by day driver you’ll choose up from so much, now they’ve begun to play in fantastic crafts with this extraordinarily well-considered stone dial. Whereas it might nonetheless be early within the yr, I’m going to say that is one of the best stone dial of 2025. Huge name, I do know.

Alto ART 01 Falcon Eye pricing and availability

The Alto ART 01 Falcon Eye is proscribed to only 12 items with pre-orders open now. Value: €61,500