The Breva Génie 02 Terre combines a mechanical timepiece with a high-performance mechanical altimeter.

The Génie 02 is the second watch of the young Swiss watch brand Breva. Founded by Vincent Dupontreué, Breva is specialized in high-end, i.e., highly complicated, watches powered by movements developed by Jean-François Mojon/Chronode (he’s behind other exotic complications, such as the MB&F – Legacy machine n°2 and n°1, HYT – H1, Harry Winston – Opus X, etc.).

Before we dive into the details of Génie 02, I would like to take a moment to present their first watch, the Génie 01. Released in 2013, it was the world’s first wristwatch with time, altimeter, barometer – for forecasting the weather – and power reserve indications provided by a fully mechanical movement, much of which is on display through the open dial and display back.

Released in 2013, the Génie 01 has an impressive list of functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, altitude indicator, barometric pressure indicator, power reserve indicator, air pressure equaliser, equaliser seal indicator, barometric scale adjuster, altitude scale adjuster.

The movement in the Génie 01 was also developed exclusively for Breva by Jean-François Mojon/Chronode.

A dial side tour reveals a plethora of easy-to-read indications to keep the wearer fully informed about current time, altitude, remaining power in the mainspring, and a weather forecasting barometer.

The Génie 01 is a limited edition of 55 pieces in white gold and 55 pieces in 4N pink gold.

Breva Génie 02 Terre: Altitude with Attitude!

Breva Génie 02

The Breva Génie 02 Terre combines the stunning sophistication of a beautifully crafted mechanical timepiece with the practicality of a fully functional, high-performance mechanical altimeter. Whether your passion is trekking, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking or just relaxing while enjoying the fresh air and stunning views, Génie 02 Terre helps keep you on time and on track.

Génie 02 Terre is 100% Swiss-made, from inception to realization. The superbly finished proprietary movement, much of which can be fully appreciated through the open dial and display back, was developed exclusively for Breva by award-winning movement constructor Jean-François Mojon (Chronode).

The dial side is dominated by a sub-dial at 8 o’clock displaying hours and minutes, and the precision altimeter sub-dial at 2 o’clock displaying meters (or feet). Arcing around the top of the dial is the large-scale altitude indicator, which displays up to 5,000 meters (or 16,400 feet), with small seconds below. At 4 o’clock, an indicator shows when the air valve is open or closed (it must be open to indicate the altitude), below which is the 65-hour power reserve indicator.

In pride of place at the bottom of the dial, the top of one of the two aneroid capsules measuring air pressure (from which the altitude is derived) is visible, with a high-precision arm multiplying by 200 times the expansion and contraction of the capsules and relaying the air pressure to the two altitude indications.

Three chevron-engraved crowns wind, set, adjust and operate the functions of Génie 02:

a. 9 o’clock: Two-position crown both winds the movement and sets the time.

b. 2 o’clock: A screw down rotates both the altitude’s precision-scale and large-scale to adjust for variations in air pressure, which affect altitude readings.

c. 4 o’clock: Screw down crown either seals air out of the movement or allows it in (for altitude function). Longevity and reliability of the timepiece are maximized by means of an osmotic Teflon membrane that filters any moisture and humidity from any air before it enters the movement. Just above the crown, a white indicator on the dial marked ‘SEALED’ warns when valve is unlocked.

Turning the Génie 02 over, the complexity of beautifully finished 415-component movement can be more fully appreciated. The movement is framed by the names of prestigious ski resorts − Aspen, Vail, Las Lenas, Gstaad, St Moritz, Zermatt, Courchevel, Cortina, Kitzbuhel, and Lech − along with their altitudes, engraved around the perimeter of the caseback. When winding the movement you can see the rotation of the cap of the mainspring barrel.

The name ‘Breva’ is inspired by ‘La Breva’, a warm southern wind that contributes to the agreeably mild microclimate around Lake Como in northern Italy.

Génie 02 is a limited edition of 55 pieces in titanium G5 and is available with either meter or feet calibrations.

Technical specifications

Génie 02 Terre technical specifications

Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, large-scale altitude indicator, precision-scale altitude indicator, power reserve indicator, air pressure valve, equalizer seal indicator, altitude scale adjuster.

Case, dials and strap:

Case material: titanium G5, with altitude calibrated in either meters or feet.

Dimensions:  44.7 mm x 15.6 mm

Number of components: 69

Crowns: winding setting crown at 9 o’clock, altitude adjuster at 2 o’clock, air valve at 4 o’clock

Crystals: sapphire crystal and display back treated with anti-reflective coating on both sides.

Dials: Grained and galvanically-treated Nickel silver, indexes and numbers in three-dimensional Super-LumiNova

Altitude scales: available in metric (meters) or imperial (feet) measurements

Water resistance: 30m

Air valve with Teflon moisture-resisting osmosis membrane

Strap and buckle: natural rubber strap with titanium tang buckle.

Movement:

Proprietary movement developed exclusively for Breva by Jean-François Mojon/Chronode

Diameter: 36 mm

Number of components: 415

Number of jewels: 45

Balance frequency: 3 Hz

Dual aneroid capsules specifically developed to derive altitude from air pressure

Power reserve: 65 hours

More about Breva on www.breva-watch.com