Michel Jordi

Michel Jordi made a striking entrance into the domain of master watchmaking with the "TWINS", the first watch with a double case. La Cote des Montres™ met the creator in person and tried out the new watch for you in Paris. We have chosen to present this dossier in our rubric Fashion and Trends simply because, in just a few weeks, TWINS has become one of those watches that captures the moment and is now being snapped up by wealthy watch lovers the whole world over - not only because of its powerful personality, but also due to its limited distribution.

Needless to say, meeting Michel Jordi in person made quite an impression. We found him attractive, charming and – above all – relaxing company for town rats like us. The best picture we can give is someone true to himself, who speaks his own mind, is reassuringly simple, and inspired by the clear mountain air he breathes throughout the year. That’s the background. Now we’ll get down to the subject in hand, and discover the TWINS, Michel Jordi’s new “enfant terrible.”

As soon as you see it, the TWINS makes its mark. With the build of a woodcutter, delicately rounded and worked with a finesse that makes for an elegant object, and a timepiece that will suit every wrist. The watch is heavy, (only to be expected as it’s solid gold) and very reassuring. The two cases slide together with an ingenious safety system, and the dials have been designed for excellent legibility.

Made from 329 components hand-assembled with the most painstaking care, the TWINS watches are manufactured in Switzerland, in the heart of the Vallée de Joux, where the savoir-faire and love of a beautiful piece of handiwork is passed on from generation to generation.. Here, the legend of the artisan watchmaker comes to life in every watch. The first series, the "Heritage" was a limited edition of 99 examples in pink gold and 99 examples in grey gold. That’s how exclusive it is.

Michel Jordi has always been fascinated by the watchmaker’s art. His father may have instilled the discipline, precision and insistence on fine workmanship, but he brought all the value of his own creativity, audacity and innovative ability. To safeguard our precious artisan heritage, he set himself a new challenge: to achieve the element of surprise in the world of Master watch making. To make his dream come true in time, he called upon the most experienced master watchmakers in the Vallée de Joux.

With the creation of TWINS, Michel Jordi’s set out to produce a work of art in the purest tradition, an entirely new watch, presenting a new function that would display all the savoir-faire of Swiss watch making. He has done it, and done it well. TWINS, the new double movement multi-function timepiece with dial carved from slate rock is aimed at those who still know how to listen to birdsong and appreciate the splendour of the mountains. The novelty is its size, and also its price! As a result, owning a TWINS will be the privilege of the happy few, and well-informed collectors.

TWINS is presented in a precious and imposing box, very Swiss in style, with blazons and inscriptions typical of Swiss folklore. A secret drawer contains a magnifying glass to appreciate more fully all the details of a unique piece, as well as a replacement bracelet.

• Movement: manufacture with manual rewind, power reserve 42 hrs, caliber MJ 1948.01.Luxury finish with Geneva ribbing and blue finish screws.
  
  
• Case: in 18 K gold, pink 4N gold or grey gold, water resistant to 3 ATM, 2 scratchproof sapphire crystals with anti-reflection finish.
  
  
• Case Dial: lunar phases, colour eggshell or anthracite.
  
  
• Functions: hours, minutes, small second, power reserve, perpetual calendar and lunar phases.

• Movement: chronograph mono-button 10 1/2" de-centred, movement manufacture with manual rewind, column wheel caliber MJ 1948.02. Luxury finish, Geneva Ribbing and blue finish screws.
  
  
• Case: 18 4N carat pink gold or grey gold, water resistant to 3 ATM, 2 sapphire crystals.
  
  
• Dial: de-centred chronograph colour: eggshell or anthracite. Exterior of dial cut in slate rock.
  
  
• Functions : chronograph mono button with indicator to 5/10 second, large second hand in centre, 30 minute-counter and small second hand. The second movement enables display of a second time zone.
  
  
• Size: 45mm
  
  
• Bracelet: 1 bracelet in real crocodile and another in saddle leather, with two-piece folding clasp in 18 carat gold with safety catch.
  
  
• Retail price tax included: 53,000 €

International two-year guarantee.

Plus:
A very interesting and pleasant watch to wear. Useful for the traveller; the materials the dial is made up of are pleasing to the eye; and add to the certainty that you’re wearing a unique timepiece. An unquestionably contemporary piece that opens the doors to collections. Totally Swiss!

Minus:
The price. Evidently the exceptional is priceless, but all the same... When can we have a little more affordable steel version (maybe in a slightly less limited edition, of 500 perhaps) please, Monsieur Jordi?

Thierry Castagna / La Cote des Montres™