L&MR RAINHILL TRIALS BROWN

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

The inspiration for the new L&MR Rainhill Trials collection was an extraordinary competition, unlike anything the world had seen before: a one-of-a-kind locomotive race. The trial, named 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 hands in the form of locomotives 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.

CHARACTERISTICS:

• movement – Sellita SW200-1, 26 jewels, 41-hour power reserve, accuracy -12/+30 seconds per day; 
• three-dimensional, stylized locomotive-hands, made of coated metal; 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 pcs;
• 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 received a completely new industrial-style case, emphasizing the conceptual idea of the collection. The shape, combined with polished and satin-finished 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 second hand. The train moving along the outer ring functions as the hour hand, while the train on the inner ring functions 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.

The exceptionally miniature, stylized locomotives (each no more than 4 mm long and 2 mm high!) are distinguished by a high level of detail and have different designs. This was made possible by long-term experiments with production 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 refers to the Novelty steam locomotive – a favorite of the Rainhill trials, created by John Ericsson and John Braithwaite, which, however, ultimately had to give way to the winning Rocket.

Particular attention is required for the style of the indications, which combine various elements – from numerals and markers to three-dimensional, stylized screws, harmoniously arranged and maintained in the industrial aesthetic of the collection.

Through the dial, you can see the Swiss Sellita SW200 movement installed in the watch, 26 jewels, 41-hour power reserve, accuracy -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 industrial-style stainless steel. The work of the movement can be observed through the transparent, central part made of sapphire glass. The design of the personalized movement sector is in the form of a pattern repeating the elements of the skeletonized dial; the lower part is decorated 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 in the set.