Introducing Sylvain Berneron Introduces the Quantième Annuel

Sylvain Berneron draws attention ahead of the Geneva Watch Days, unveiling his second collection, Quantième Annuel, which presents the annual calendar complication in a distinctive style. The new design marks a bold departure from the asymmetrical case of the brand’s first timepiece, Mirage, which won the Audacity Prize at last year’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG).

The new release, Quantième Annuel,  for “annual calendar”, introduces an entirely new collection, more complex than the inaugural series that only displayed the time, while the French designer continues to uphold the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.

Berneron returns with a creation that blends beloved horological complications in a way never seen before: a regulator dial of unique architecture, a jumping hour display, a retrograde date, and an ingenious protective system for the case. To preserve the platinum’s brilliance, Berneron has devised a removable protective cover that keeps the surface free from scratches, combining practicality with refinement.

The case, crafted in luxurious platinum, incorporates a clever structural innovation to counter the metal’s well-known fragility. Platinum, though noble, is prone to scratching and difficult to refinish. To address this, the Quantième Annuel introduces a pioneering steel-layer concept: the Pt950 case (85% of total mass) is reinforced with a thin layer of 904L steel (15% of total mass). This layer, divided into six removable components, can be replaced over the lifetime of the watch, ensuring long-term durability.

The case measures 38 mm in diameter with a thickness of 10 mm. It features a classic crown and two broad pushers at 4 and 8 o’clock, which act as correctors for the day and month. Their ergonomic design allows them to be activated with a fingertip — no stylus required. Sapphire crystals protect both sides of the watch, while the back features a hunter-style cover, adding a traditional touch.

The lacquered dial, set on an 18K gold baseplate, is available in silver with blue accents or black with silver accents. The hands are in 18K white gold. Its architecture is conceived as a double regulator: one dedicated to time and the other to the calendar.

Time is read vertically, jumping hours at 12 o’clock, minutes at the center, and a small seconds with day-night indicator at 6 o’clock. The calendar, meanwhile, is read horizontally across the dial with jumping day, retrograde date, and jumping month indications.

Powering the watch is the new proprietary Caliber 595, a hand-wound movement developed specifically for the Quantième Annuel. It offers 100 hours of power reserve from twin mainspring barrels and beats at 21,600 vph (3 Hz). 

The calendar can be adjusted at any time of day thanks to a safety mechanism, allowing the user to cycle through days and months without risking damage to the movement. As an annual calendar, it requires just one adjustment per year, at the end of February. The movement consists of 476 components, with the main plate and bridges crafted from gold and finished with a variety of traditional decoration techniques.

Production of the Berneron Quantième Annuel will be limited to 24 pieces per dial color per year, over a period of 10 years. The first deliveries are scheduled for October 2026. In a nod to early collectors, Berneron has adopted a progressive pricing strategy:

2026: CHF 120,000 / AED 504,000

2027: CHF 130,000 / AED 546,000

2028: CHF 140,000 / AED 588,000

For more information visit Berneron’s official website.