Hands on Aramedes Mecca MasterTimer Salat Tourbillon

Aramedes, the Swiss company based in Zurich, has caught our attention with its distinctive watches that integrate high-precision mechanical movements with advanced technology. This innovative approach is exemplified in the Mecca Collection, the only watches in the world to provide Islamic times, setting a new direction for the luxury watch industry. These classically designed timepieces feature three unique functions, made possible through an unprecedented combination of traditional mechanical watchmaking and advanced technology.

Mecca watches were created to facilitate the calculation of prayer times for Muslims, aiding in the practice of the five daily prayers. These watches feature three special functions:

Qibla (Compass towards Mecca): With the push of a button located at 2 o'clock, the watch calculates and displays the direction to Mecca based on your current location.

Prayer (Prayer Time Indicator): The watch includes an alarm function that gently vibrates to alert you when it’s time for prayer.

Ramadan Fasting Indicator: This function displays imsak and iftar times based on your location, accurately calculating sunrise and sunset, and displaying this information on a sub-dial.

In the company's latest release, the MasterTimer Salah Tourbillon watch, Aramedes takes its design philosophy further by incorporating the flying tourbillon, one of the most complex mechanisms in watchmaking. By combining this intricate mechanical mechanism with an innovative approach, Aramedes has crafted a watch that embodies both watchmaking craftsmanship and modern design. The result is the exceptional timepiece we have today.

This Aramedes Mastertimer Salat Tourbillon edition features a stainless steel case, the same used in the Mecca collection, with a 42 mm diameter and a 15.6 mm height, complemented by mushroom pushers. Together, these elements create a simple yet refined elegance. The watch boasts a domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on both sides. This design creates an optical effect that makes the watch appear slimmer when viewed from the side. The case offers 30 meters of water resistance. The crown is adorned with the lion logo, the iconic symbol of Zurich, while the case back is decorated with an Arabic geometrical pattern. This watch does not have an open case back. 

This design choice is deliberate, as the space between the mechanical movement and the case back houses the electronic device which requires protection.

The dial comes in green for the edition we have here, but the company offers four more colors for the Mecca collection. The dial is surrounded by a printed hours track with Eastern Arabic numerals and applied indices in a golden hue, coated with luminescent material, as are the minutes and hours hands. The other hands do not have luminescent coating. The subdials feature a copper hue with a snailed finish.

The Mastertimer Salat edition offers hours, minutes, a Qibla indicator (Mecca compass) at 3 o'clock, and a Salah indicator, which is a prayer time assistant located at 9 o'clock, while the flying tourbillon at 6 o'clock showcases the small seconds on its cage.

This edition is powered by the VMF 3024 caliber, An automatic movement crafted by the Swiss manufacturer Vaucher, which produces movements for prestigious brands such as Parmigiani Fleurier, Hermès, Richard Mille, and Audemars Piguet. Many other independent watchmakers also use movements from this esteemed manufacturer.

It features a 22K gold rotor and a titanium cage for the flying tourbillon. It comes with twin barrels, which offer a 50-hour power reserve. The movement beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz).
 As we explained before, the Mecca collection goes further as the mechanical mechanism alone is not sufficient for such high complications; they add the AraTec 1 Module which provides the Qibla indicator and the Salah indicator.

The watch is paired with a three-link stainless steel bracelet, with the central link polished and the rest brushed. The watch also comes with an additional leather strap. It is priced at USD 75,000, which is equivalent to 275,500 AED.

For more information, please visit Aramedes official website.