Founded in 2016 by Claudio D’Amore, Code41 is an independent watch brand based in Lausanne, Switzerland with a team of 28 people that have created six watch collections to date.
Code41’s existing collections are all wristwatches — the Anomaly01, Anomaly02, Day41, X41, Anomaly Evolution, NB24, and Anomaly-T4 (powered by two proprietary wristwatch movements) — yet their latest creation is neither a wristwatch, nor a pocket watch, nor a clock. “Mecascape” is a contraction of “mechanical” and “landscape” that Code41 calls a “new watch class.”
Introducing the Mecascape Sublimation One, a fully mechanical timepiece, running a flat hand-wound movement developed exclusively for Code41, that allows it to effortlessly slip into a coat or pants pocket.
An ultra-wide flat sapphire crystal on the entire front of the case reveals the display and its openworked movement — including the balance wheel, escapement, mainspring barrel, and gear train — and a smaller circular sapphire crystal window on the caseback offering a further glance into the mechanics. With a grade 5 ultra-light titanium rectangular-shaped case that measures 106 mm x 68 mm and is 8.1 mm thick, the Mecascape is smaller than the current iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus in length and height (iPhone is slightly thinner at 7.8 mm).
Regarding the Mecascape design, Claudio D’Amore, commented “My idea for the Mecascape goes back to 2009, more than 12 years ago. Today, after having founded CODE41, given birth to 6 collections, and dedicated 5 years of focused development to the project, the time has come, the maturity and the means too, to give birth to the first Mecascape. I knew, with the team, from the outset that we were working on something really special. An ambitious and daring project in every sense of the word. Translating my vision into a unique and original watch object was a real collective challenge, and we are all very proud of the result. Working with time from all angles (and that’s the right word here) has rarely been so rewarding.”
Developed and manufactured in Switzerland, the 4Hz, 237 component, 39-jewel, manually wound Mecascape caliber —with an impressive 8-day power reserve (192 hours) — drives the hours, minutes, seconds, date, 24-hour second-time zone (which has a world map on its dial), and 8-day power reserve indications.
Interestingly, like with a traditional sports wristwatch, the hands and dials have been treated with lume, which both looks cool and enhances readability in low-light conditions. Also like a typical wristwatch, the case is 30 meters water-resistant, which is not enough for diving but is more than enough for most activities. There’s also an Incabloc shock absorber, which again, means the timepiece performs more like a wristwatch than a clock. Further enhancing the durability of the movement is a tempered roll steel treatment for critical components which prevents premature wear of the pivots.
Two knurled crowns mounted flush on the left and right case flank, control the winding and the time setting for both the primary and secondary time zones. A small pusher on the side of the case is used to set the date. Each Mecascape is tested and adjusted in 4 positions, to a rate of -5/+5 seconds per day. The total weight of the watch is 198 grams, thanks to the use of lightweight titanium.
Finally, as a result of CODE41’s collaboration with the Cercle des Horlogers, an independent Swiss watchmaking workshop located in the Canton of Neuchâtel (halfway between Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds), the Mecascape — which was born under the impetus of Claudio D’Amore — has generated a number of extraordinary technical challenges that had to be met, starting with its unprecedented dimensions, the complex calibration of the machines and its structural integrity.
The Mecascape comes with two accessories: a metal stand that allows it to be positioned vertically on a piece of furniture or a desk, and a travel case made of high-quality Italian leather lined with microfiber, which will allow its owner to carry it safely, combined with a small cutout to elegantly store a bank card or business card. Additionally, there are a number of customizations that can be made to the dial and hands.
The Mecascape Sublimation One is available on pre-order for $9,950 from today until November 30, 2022.
Learn more at Code41.
Photos by Code41.
