Lightness, transparency and simplicity
At first glance, what draws the eye to Marc Newson’s Atmos 568 is its timekeeping mechanism, which appears to float freely in the air while actually being held in place by the rear part of the movement. The simple dial is optimised for easy legibility, and the light that passes through the clear glass face illuminates the blue transferred Arabic numerals. Enhancing the simplicity of the dial, the marker for the month has been designed to form part of the transparent dial. The counterweights are painstakingly designed to melt from sight while perfectly balancing the hands picked out in a harmonious echo of Newson’s chosen shade of blue. Uniquely for an Atmos, the entire cycle of the moon phase is shown — with a white moon and a blue sky — on a very smoothly finished disc embellished with concentric striations. On the movement’s reverse, the mechanism is visibly held in place at four points, rather than the three on traditional Atmos clocks, for symmetry. The membrane bridge, redesigned in a crossshape and with a brushed finish, showcases the membrane’s bellows to great effect. It bears the clock’s name along with the designer’s discreet signature in his trademark orange. Closer inspection reveals a continuous play of light on the movement, which was devised by artisans at the manufacture, with some components redesigned by Newson. It is worked in a very contemporary-looking matte satin-brushed finish, with a number of shiny areas that are thrown into brilliant relief by the light streaming through the crystal. A new design for the balance wheel features grooves with matte tooth surfaces and shiny hollows, so that as it rotates back and forth, it creates a beautiful pattern of remarkable subtlety reflecting the sun’s rays. Another mobile part of the movement, the membrane, is adorned with the same play of contrasting finishes — shiny depths set off by a matte exterior. As soon as you manage to tear your eyes away from the movement, you will be struck by the sophisticated elegance and sheer immateriality of the cabinet that houses it. Newson chose crystal — loved for its aesthetic qualities and unique finish — as the material for the casing, which resembles a rounded cube. Only a glasswork operating at the cutting edge of crystal manufacturing, such as Baccarat, possesses the necessary technical expertise, and lengthy research was needed to reduce the crystal thickness to a minimum — a mere 13mm in some places. The crystal cabinet allows light to stream over the clock it encases, while also creating its own subtle play of reflections in a real visual treat. Although not easy to smooth and even, this crystal has a remarkably beautiful finish. The fine contours of the casing, along with its thicker base, have been perfectly crafted by Baccarat artisans to give a fluid and harmonious effect, like a cushion of light. The casing is made up of two pieces of glass: a larger one comprising the sides and back, and a front panel that can be removed to give access to the movement. The clock is magnified inside its crystal cabinet, a bit like a ship in a bottle.