Son of a Gun: The Unnamed Society’s Revolutionary Timekeeper

January 8, 2021

By Katerina Perez

4 min read

For those fortunate enough to sail the seas in superyachts and purchase world-class jewels, there’s a different level of luxury to aspire to. In this sphere, you’ll need to know The Unnamed Society – a team of inventors, designers and craftspeople who fashion art objects for an exclusive clientele. Their most recent creation emerged from a collaboration with Swiss master clockmaker, L’Épée, and was inspired by the Mexican revolutionary, Pancho Villa. Continue reading to discover a timepiece that defies convention.

With a target client base of people who ‘have it all’, it is the role of The Unnamed Society to envision and create art objects that can surprise even the most privileged individual. Its most recent collaborative work is “The Diamond”, a gem-encrusted revolver table clock that symbolises the preciousness of every moment and the speed at which it can be stolen away. Its ethos is all about ‘carpe diem’ or a willingness to ‘seize the day’. To create “The Diamond” The Unnamed Society drew on the support of heritage Swiss clockmaker, L’Épée, and Swiss atelier, Salanitro, which specialises in the field of gem-setting for haute horlogerie. The Diamond comprises 2,518 round brilliant-cut diamonds of 21 different sizes with a total weight of 78.26 carats. It took 140 hours to make, plus an additional 300 hours of painstaking gem-setting by six master setters in Geneva.

'The Diamond' is a revolver-shaped table clock that symbolises the preciousness of every moment

'The Diamond' is a revolver-shaped table clock that symbolises the preciousness of every moment

 The Unnamed Society 'The Diamond' table clock features a movement crafted by Swiss clockmaker, L’Épée

The Unnamed Society 'The Diamond' table clock features a movement crafted by Swiss clockmaker, L’Épée

 Close-up detail of the black lacquer and diamond grip of 'The Diamond' revolver table clock

Close-up detail of the black lacquer and diamond grip of 'The Diamond' revolver table clock

A ‘snow spirit’ setting technique was utilised, which calls for a particularly difficult grain crimping method that only a handful of setters can achieve, especially on such large areas. On the barrel of the gun, the ‘snow spirit’ technique has been cleverly used to mimic the lingering smoke after a revolver is discharged. Although they appear randomly set, each diamond is placed in a pre-destined way to achieve the perfect result.

This unique revolver table clock was created by luxury gifting specialist, The Unnamed Society

This unique revolver table clock was created by luxury gifting specialist, The Unnamed Society

Between the black lacquer grip and the diamond-set barrel is the real star of the show, L’Epée’s bespoke watch movement. Interestingly, only three years separate inventor Samuel Colt’s patent for the first mechanically indexing revolver cylinder and the founding of L’Epée in 1839. The Swiss manufacture created a skeletonized movement that rotates two elements to display the hour and minutes. It’s refined, deceptively simple, and provides a visual balance with the diamond-set extravagance of the grip and barrel on either side.

Swiss clockmaker L’Épée created the unique movement for 'The Diamond' revolver table clock

Swiss clockmaker L’Épée created the unique movement for 'The Diamond' revolver table clock

 L’Épée chose a skeletonised movement for 'The Diamond' table clock

L’Épée chose a skeletonised movement for 'The Diamond' table clock

 The Unnamed Society, L’Épée and Salanitro collaborated to complete this unique art object

The Unnamed Society, L’Épée and Salanitro collaborated to complete this unique art object

 A closer look at the mechanical movement inside 'The Diamond' revolver table clock

A closer look at the mechanical movement inside 'The Diamond' revolver table clock

The concept behind “The Diamond” was based on Pancho Villa, a Mexican general and one of the most prominent figures of the Mexican Revolution (1910 – 1920). The Unnamed Society was inspired by the exclusivity of his inner circle and the legend that his reputation and actions fostered. He famously starred as himself in Hollywood films and gave interviews to foreign journalists, notably John Reed, who described his “Ancient Order” of supporters.

Photographs of 'The Diamond' were taken aboard the M/Y AFRICAN QUEEN superyacht

Photographs of 'The Diamond' were taken aboard the M/Y AFRICAN QUEEN superyacht

“The Diamond” was unveiled in December 2020 at the ART in Time gallery in Monaco, which is known for its displays of haute horological works and has been well-received by collectors. Although I normally write about timepieces in the context of high jewellery, it amazes me how, in a creative field with so many extraordinary talents, there is still something new to see. A diamond-set revolver table clock may not be to everyone’s tastes, but it’s the willingness to dream of something unique and bring it to fruition that inspires me.

 From left to right: Marine Lemonnier of 289 Conlsulting, Yohann Martinez, Director of Art in Time Monaco, and Arnaud Nicolas, CEO of L’Épée

From left to right: Marine Lemonnier of 289 Conlsulting, Yohann Martinez, Director of Art in Time Monaco, and Arnaud Nicolas, CEO of L’Épée

Pictures of “The Diamond” were taken aboard a superyacht named M/Y AFRICAN QUEEN… no doubt it will one day be used as a desk ornament aboard a similarly extravagant superyacht, private jet or in a penthouse apartment owned by a powerful individual.

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