L&MR RAINHILL TRIALS BLACK

In the L&MR Rainhill Trials collection, the HVILINA team continues to explore the era of the 18th–19th century industrial revolution, based on the concept of an event that marked the beginning of railway transport development – a true pinnacle of engineering and construction, a symbol of its era's progress: the opening of the Liverpool – Manchester (L&MR for Liverpool and Manchester Railway) railway line in Great Britain.

The inspiration for the new L&MR Rainhill Trials collection came from an extraordinary competition the likes of which the world had never seen: a unique steam locomotive race. The trial, which became known as the Rainhill Trials, took place in 1829, just one year before the opening of the Liverpool – Manchester railway line. The aim of the competition was to select the best steam locomotive for use on the future railway line.

Characteristic features of the L&MR Rainhill Trials collection are three-dimensional, intricately crafted locomotive-shaped hands made of metal. The stylized steam locomotives are powered by a personalized Swiss Sellita SW200 automatic movement, which can be observed through the intricate, skeletonized dial.

FEATURES:

• movement – Sellita SW200-1, 26 jewels, 41-hour power reserve, accuracy -12/+30 seconds per day;
• three-dimensional, stylized locomotive-hands, made of metal with coating; object dimensions: Rocket – 3.9 x 2.1 x 2 mm, Novelty – 3.9 x 2.1 x 1.6 mm;
• movement personalization elements: plates, bridges, rotor;
• combined, skeletonized dial;
•  front and case back glass – sapphire; front glass with anti-reflective coating on both sides;
• case material – stainless steel with IP coating;
• natural leather strap, quick-release;
• water resistance – 50 m;
• case diameter – 41.2 mm;
•  total watch height – 12.8 mm;
• strap width – 22 mm;
• limited series – 500 units;
• warranty – 24 months;
• service life – from 10 years.

The result of the Rainhill Trials became a turning point in the history of industrialization, comparable in impact to the invention of the internet or the first airplane. Just 20 years later, railways would connect the largest cities in Europe and America, allowing goods to be transported and information to be exchanged much faster. L&MR Rainhill Trials is an ode to courage and ingenuity, to the engineering skill that changed the world.

The models feature an entirely new industrial-style case, emphasizing the conceptual design of the collection. The shape, combined with polished and satin-brushed case surfaces, complemented by a textured crown, harks back to the mechanical elements of the Industrial Revolution era, while maintaining the dynamism of the dial.

Compositionally, the dial is divided into three indication rings, connected by stylized "depots", along which the three-dimensional locomotive-hands move. At the center of the composition is the seconds hand. The train moving on the outer ring acts as the hour hand, while the train on the inner ring acts as the minute hand. Time is measured when the front of the locomotive crosses the next marked indication.

For convenient time reading, when the hour locomotive disappears into one of the four "depots", a contrasting, additional hour hand is placed parallel to it, located on the same radius as the minute locomotive, but structurally positioned below it.

Uniquely miniature, stylized locomotives (each not exceeding 4 mm in length and 2 mm in height!) boast a high level of detail and diverse designs. This was made possible by extensive experimentation with manufacturing technologies and materials.

The hour locomotive was inspired by the design of the Rocket steam locomotive, designed by father and son George and Robert Stephenson, which won the competition. The design of the minute locomotive references the Novelty steam locomotive – a favorite at the Rainhill Trials, created by John Ericsson and John Braithwaite, which ultimately had to yield to the victorious Rocket.

Special attention is paid to the style of the indications, which combine various elements – from numerals and markers to three-dimensional, stylized screws, harmoniously arranged and consistent with the collection's industrial aesthetic.

Through the dial, one can observe the Swiss Sellita SW200 movement installed in the watch, with 26 jewels, a 41-hour power reserve, and an accuracy of -12/+30 seconds per day. A skeletonized version of the movement's plate and bridges was developed specifically for this watch collection.

The case back of the models is made of stainless steel in an industrial style. The movement's operation can be observed through the transparent, central sapphire glass part. The design of the personalized movement rotor is crafted in a pattern repeating the elements of the skeletonized dial; the lower part is adorned with engraving.

The case is made of stainless steel, the front glass is sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both sides, water resistance – 50 m, the strap is made of natural leather.

The limited collection includes four models, differing in color scheme. A total of 500 pieces of each model were produced. A special travel case is also included.