I just lately had the chance to go to the Czech watch firm Robot amongst a bunch of journalists and watch media retailers that the model had invited for an inside take a look at its heritage and manufacturing amenities. To assist us absolutely steep ourselves in all issues Robotic, the model let every of us select a watch to put on throughout our journey, and whereas my private favourite among the many model’s current-production lineup is the Aerodynamic collection that we reviewed earlier this 12 months, the mannequin I chosen for my go to was the Robotic Minor, which is a daring and distinctly Czech racing chronograph that presently holds the title of being Robotic’s single best-selling mannequin.
In 1949, two Czech-manufactured Aero Minor Sport vehicles entered the well-known 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, the place each completed the occasion and one claimed victory inside its class. Czech automotive producers have been early pioneers within the rules of aerodynamics, and whereas the outcomes of the 1949 version of Le Mans have been extremely promising, the unfold of communism in Europe pressured Czechoslovakia behind the Iron Curtain shortly thereafter, which prematurely ended the nation’s possibilities of changing into a significant participant throughout the world of motorsport. As a proudly Czech model, Robotic regularly attracts inspiration from numerous points of its nation’s heritage, and the Robotic Minor racing chronograph celebrates the accomplishments of the Czech Aero Minor Sport on the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1949.
Robotic is the definition of a boutique model, and all the things in regards to the firm is considerably totally different from what you’ll find among the many large family names throughout the business. As of 2024, Robotic has a complete output of roughly 250 watches per 12 months; nonetheless, quite than producing six-figure grail items like most manufacturers with equally small outputs, practically all of Robotic’s watches price someplace throughout the four-figure territory. Moreover, Robotic presents a customization service the place consumers can personalize their watch with totally different dials, arms, straps, and ending, and upwards of 80% of Robotic’s present output consists of commissioned works which have been custom-tailored to their proprietor’s preferences. Whereas the model could also be pretty small, Robotic has its personal boutique positioned within the coronary heart of Prague, and the corporate additionally has a devoted workshop the place it produces its watches and customizes them to their homeowners’ requests.
As for the Robotic Minor, the model featured right here is the Indy Sunburn mannequin, though the model additionally produces three different colorways which might be impressed by well-known racetracks (Le Mans Blue, Monaco Black, and Spa Grey), together with a fifth model that incorporates a bronze PVD end. All of Robotic’s Minor chronographs have instances comprised of grade 5 titanium that measure 44mm in diameter by 15mm thick, and whereas the standard-catalog fashions showcase a completely matte sandblasted end, Robotic’s personalization service considerably expands the vary of potentialities. Brushing and sprucing are naturally accessible choices, though the limited-edition Emerson Fittipaldi and Superbike fashions have completely blacked-out instances, and whereas visiting Robotic’s manufacturing amenities, we additionally noticed a Minor being assembled that had a deep blue end throughout everything of its exterior elements.
The highest of the Robotic Minor’s case is furnished by a domed sapphire crystal, which is surrounded by a bidirectional rotating timing bezel comprised of sandblasted titanium that has recessed luminous markings to indicate the minutes/hours. Entry to the motion is granted by a singed winding crown and a pair of chronograph pushers which might be positioned on the right-hand aspect of the case, whereas the reverse aspect of the Minor is fitted with a display-style caseback that options the stylized silhouette of the 1949 Aero Minor Sport printed on the underside floor of its sapphire window. Moreover, water resistance for the Robotic Minor assortment is available in at a stable 100 meters, and whereas its dimensions undeniably supply a large presence on the wrist, its grade 5 titanium building and easy caseback profile finally create a surprisingly light-weight presence that’s snug to put on for prolonged durations.
Whereas the case of the Robotic Minor presents a daring and distinctly fashionable look, arguably essentially the most distinctive function of the Minor is its dial. That includes a two-register format with a small operating seconds hand at 9 o’clock and a round date window between the ten o’clock and 11 o’clock hour markers, the dial fitted to the Minor incorporates a distinctive perforated design with 3,462 tiny holes showing all through its floor. Along with providing a view of the interior motion, the perforations within the dial function a refined nod to the holes that the Czech mechanics made within the hood of the Aero Minor Sport throughout the 1949 Le Mans race (utilizing a screwdriver) as an impromptu approach to assist forestall the automobile from overheating. Moreover, quite than having a easy printed date disc, the Robotic Minor incorporates a skeletonized calendar wheel that shows the present worth with a three-dimensional numeral by a framed aperture within the dial.
To create the micro-perforated dial for the Robotic Minor chronograph, a particular coating is utilized to a skinny metallic sheet within the define of the dial’s sample, and the metallic is then handled with a chemical course of that removes the uncovered metallic. As soon as the micro-perforated construction has been realized, the coating is eliminated, and the metallic floor is then completed to supply it with its shade and closing look. On the Indy Sunburn model of the Robotic Minor featured right here, the perforated dial floor seems in a refined brown/copper shade, whereas a darker shade of brown is used for the chronograph registers and minute monitor. In the meantime, the chronograph arms are a metallic blue hue for added distinction, and the colour blue performs a relentless theme all through the Minor assortment, because the historic Aero Minor Sport prominently featured a blue stripe throughout its hood when it raced at Le Mans.
The centrally-mounted chronograph seconds hand on the Robotic Minor incorporates a counterweight that’s formed like a tiny automobile. Nevertheless, since Robotic’s Founder and CEO Josef Zajíček has a powerful ardour for classic vehicles, the counterweight that seems on the Minor isn’t only a generic automobile, however quite it’s particularly formed to resemble a 1949 Aero Minor Sport. On certainly one of Zajíček’s private watches (a mannequin from the model’s Aplos assortment), the seconds hand has been personalized to appear like certainly one of his all-time favourite automobile fashions, and {custom} arms are additionally a part of Robotic’s personalization providers, the place practically something possible is feasible. Whereas visiting Robotic’s manufacturing amenities, we noticed an enormous assortment of various one-of-a-kind watch arms with designs starting from guitars and bikes to wine bottles, pocket knives, and their proprietor’s initials.
Contained in the Robotic Minor is a 26-jewel La Joux-Perret computerized chronograph motion, which is predicated on the Swiss producer’s 8000-series of calibers. Working at a frequency of 28,800vph with an influence reserve of roughly 55 hours, the La Joux-Perret 8000-series actions are derived from the core structure of the acquainted Valjoux 7750. Nevertheless, quite than utilizing a cam-operated mechanism to manage their chronograph complication, La Joux-Perret’s design incorporates a column wheel, which is mostly thought-about to be a extra premium method, as it’s dearer and tough to fabricate. On the Robotic Minor, the motion’s column wheel and partially skeletonized rotor are completed in a shiny shade of metallic blue, which is additional echoed on the blued screws that join its numerous plates and bridges.
The strap for the Robotic Minor chronograph options an ordinary two-piece leather-based building, and it presents a perforated rally-style design that tapers from 22mm on the lugs all the way down to 18mm the place it connects to its sandblasted titanium tang-style buckle. Though the strap fitted to the instance that was loaned to me throughout my go to had beforehand been worn, it’s clear from dealing with the Minor’s strap that the leather-based utilized in its building is of pretty top quality, and it will be snug and supple proper out of the field, with little to no break-in time required. Moreover, whereas the opposite colorways of the Robotic Minor are fitted with black leather-based straps, the Indy Sunburn model receives a darkish brown leather-based strap with a shiny blue keeper that remembers the blue stripe on the hood of the 1949 Aero Minor Sport that raced on the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Whereas Robotic’s small-batch manufacturing signifies that no mannequin is promoting a whole lot of items per 12 months, the Minor chronograph is definitely the model’s hottest, and roughly 30% of its annual gross sales come from the larger Minor assortment. Moreover, from a motion standpoint, the Minor is Robotic’s most advanced timepiece, though it isn’t the model’s costliest providing, and this probably helps to clarify why it has confirmed to be a best-seller. With an official retail worth of $5,370 USD, Robotic Minor is positioned more-or-less throughout the center of the model’s present catalog, and it finally represents a quite compelling possibility contemplating that you’re getting a titanium case, hand-finished elements, and an computerized chronograph motion from La Joux-Perret. Whereas Robotic’s aesthetic is inherently barely polarizing, the Czech model doesn’t purpose to be a mass-market marque, and the Minor assortment presents a novel expression of the traditional mechanical racing chronograph. For extra info on the Robotic Minor assortment, please go to the brand’s website.
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