As Nezumi founder and designer David Campo explains,
I have been developing and testing optional mechanical movements for several years, automatic and manual wound, but I have always felt that the glass has been half full. Reliability and availability of a movement is of course very important but there are also other aspects I considered. For example, using an automatic movement generally makes the case too bulky for my liking, even after extensive work on the design and construction, so that option was thrown out.
I’ve always loved manually wound watches for two reasons: they are, to me, a time capsule back to an era of watchmaking that I really enjoy; and they tend to be thinner than an automatic watch. I also test-developed our chronographs as manual wound a few years back, and I was really happy with that current choice of movement, but unfortunately, it was discontinued before I pulled the trigger on it.
Given that his options were either A) a thicker mechanical or B) a defunct movement, David held out for option C) the Sellita SW510 Mb. This 28.8k bph, 27 jewel unit is a smooth, reliable manually wound unit, and thanks to its lack of date and rotor, surprisingly thin (7mm). All in all, quite perfect to fit the Voiture’s aesthetic.
To celebrate the brand’s 10th anniversary they have released a run of 300 Limited Edition Voiture VM1S chronographs in three colorways and a jubilee bracelet. All watches are individually numbered and assembled in Germany. It sells for 18500 SEK with tax ($1892 US) or 14800 SEK without ($1514 US).
I’ve always liked the MechaQuartz Voiture, but this one will almost certainly be the true watch enthusiast’s choice. For more information or to place an order, see nezumistudios.com.
All photos copyright David Campo / Nezumi Studios, all rights reserved.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Assembled in Germany
- Swiss Sellita SW510 Mb manual wound, no date movement
- 28’800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
- 23 jewels
- 58 hour power reserve
- Stop-seconds time setting
- Brushed/polished 316L Stainless Steel case
- Diameter: 40mm excluding crown
- Lug to lug: 47mm
- Case height: 12.6mm (+1.9mm domed crystal)
- Lug width: 20mm
- Push / pull crown with N logo
- Screw on machined case back
- Double domed genuine sapphire crystal with AR ( anti reflective ) coating on the inside.
- Swiss C1 Super-LumiNova on dial and hands
- Waterproof to 5 ATM
