Description

The Roma Synergy is a product of two important names in the world of high horology: Schwarz Etienne and Kari Voutilainen. It's a partnership between two leaders in distinct facets of the watch industry.

While Schwarz Etienne might not be quite as visible as Voutilainen, it's a powerhouse in the industry behind the scenes. The company, over a century old, produces cutting-edge calibers both for its own watches, and others.

The Roma is a staple dress watch in Schwarz Etienne's line-up that serves as the canvas for Voutilainen to apply his craft. Sized at a modest 39mm, the stainless steel case.

Etienne's caliber ASE 200.00, featuring small seconds and a micro-rotor, something the manufacturer has come to specialize in. The micro-rotor sits flush with the movement plate, while still allowing a full 86-hour power reserve and a thin size.

The micro-rotor is decorated by Les Ateliers Kari Voutilainen, along with snailing and diamond drops on the ratchet wheel (the large visible wheel next to the micro-rotor). Additionally, the bridges are hand beveled. Black polished steel parts tie together the finishing. Black polishing is achieved by applying diamond paste on a tin plate and then, by hand, taking the part being finished and rubbing it on the tin plate until a mirror finish is achieved.

On the dial side, Voutilainen's signature guilloché is on full display. Part of the magic of the design is the way in which various rose-engine-turned patterns play with each other in a way that creates interesting contrast and depth. The Roma Synergy comes in two dial colors: ocean blue and sand grey. Every dial is treated to a number of contrasting finishes by hand on a rose-engine machine. A soleil (sun) pattern in the hour track frames the écaille de poisson (fish scale) pattern that constitutes most of the dial except for the small seconds, which is treated to a vague (wave) pattern.

The Schwarz Etienne name appears on a cartouche just below noon, while a silver plaque at six o'clock points to Voutilainen's role in the creation of this piece, of which 50 examples in each color will be made.