Between Art And Entertainment, Four Hentai Manga-Style Dials. With The New Limited Edition "Turbine Erotic", Perrelet Perpetuates An Ancient Watchmaking Tradition.
Mechanical Art Unveiled
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A protagonist in the history of watchmaking, the Maison Perrelet — founded in 1777 — reinterprets once again an ancient theme: erotic watches. A style that has already been explored on several occasions throughout its long history, most recently in 2022 when it successfully presented two timepieces from the Turbine collection in limited editions that were much appreciated by aficionados.
Today, the Maison is offering four additional models in the Turbine Erotic collection, which, like their predecessors, are illustrated in a hentai manga-style, featuring images from Japanese adult comics.
A production that is to be intended in the field of entertainment and erotic amusement, and to be considered to all intents and purposes a form of artistic expression.
Photo Courtsey: Perrelet
A centuries-old tradition
Deeply rooted in the watchmaking tradition, erotic watches were born in the 17th century for the Eastern market, first for the Chinese and later for the Indians, but soon began to gain popularity among an elite of European collectors as well. These were finely crafted pieces, made by skilled artisans, with figures painted in polychrome enamel or hand-engraved in gold. Sometimes the depictions were more allusive and malicious, and sometimes they were more daring and shameless. They became even more licentious in the mid-18th century with the introduction of automata, which used complex mechanisms, such as minute-repeater, to animate scenes and make them more realistic until the power reserve was exhausted.
Perrelet’s production
A renewed interest in this type of watch in the 1990s led to erotic content being transferred from pocket models to wristwatches, forcing the figures and movements to be further miniaturised. Since then, numerous high-end brands, both historical and contemporary, have developed different themed models each year and mainly produce bespoke pieces, although most prefer to keep this information confidential.
Perrelet is one of the few exceptions: it includes erotic watches in its current collection, openly declares its production, and promotes them.
Indeed, Perrelet boasts the Turbine line in its catalogue, which is particularly well-suited to accommodate this type of decoration from both a conceptual and practical point of view. Since the introduction of the patented Turbine technology in 2009, whose rotating motion partly reveals and partly conceals the sub-dial, the collection has featured countless themes and patterns. In the new Turbine Erotic watches, drawings of an intimate couple are depicted in shades of grey, enlivened by red details. But the "under 18s forbidden" positions only reveal themselves during the high-speed rotation of the turbine. When the turbine is at rest or moving slowly, its 12 blades hide the illustration from view, acting as a kind of curtain that “censors” the scene.
An unsuspected appearance
The new Turbine Erotic special series consists of four references that look identical at first glance: all versions have the same understated, mysterious black design. The exterior gives no indication of the items' true nature. The round case features the design of the Turbine EVO collection, which was launched in 2019, but in a smaller size of 41 mm in diameter. It is made of black DLC grade 2 titanium and is water-resistant to 10 ATM. Thanks to its harmonious proportions; it fits comfortably on the wrist and features the usual hallmarks of the collection: a flat, smooth bezel; a fluted case middle; triple lugs; and a large crown adorned with the letter “P” from the logo. The watch is worn with a supple black rubber strap fastened with a pin buckle.
The multi-layered dial features the distinctive Turbine technology, which has become the hallmark of the eponymous collection and an icon of the Perrelet Manufacture over time. As always, it comprises 12 black anodised aluminium blades, which are balanced underneath by tungsten counterweights and slide freely with the slightest movement of the wrist. Although it is designed purely for decorative purposes, it demonstrates technical expertise as it requires skill and expertise during its assembly. The traditional Arabic numerals, alternating with baton hour markers coated with Super-LumiNova® for maximum legibility, stand out along the circumference of the flange.
The entire dial is protected by a sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment on the inside and outside. Another sapphire crystal on the rear reveals the mechanical heart.
A reliable mechanics
Like most of Turbine's time-only models, the new Turbine Erotic is fitted with a self-winding movement manufactured in-house, calibre P-331-MH. This was conceived and developed by SOPROD, a specialised company owned by Spanish entrepreneur Miguel Rodríguez, to whom Perrelet and Festina Group also belong. SOPROD is part of a vertically integrated structure that serves as a veritable watchmaking hub, comprising six factories that produce all mechanical watch components in-house.
The P-331-MH calibre operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and offers a power reserve of 42 hours when fully wound. Its precision and reliability are guaranteed by two certificates from independent institutions: the COSC chronometer certificate and the Chronofiable® certification, which are issued after the relevant test protocols, are successfully undergone.
Through the transparent porthole, one can admire the movement, which shows impeccable finishing in keeping with the finest watchmaking tradition. This includes the rhodium-plated, circular-grained plate and bridges; the oscillating weight, which is mounted on ball bearings and openworked, rhodium-plated and personalised with the Perrelet logo.
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Availability
Limited to just 99 pieces each, the four references of the new Turbine Erotic line are presented in a customised box. These exclusive creations will be available from 19 June 2025 at official Perrelet retailers worldwide and on the official Perrelet E-commerce website (in Europe and the United States).
Upon request, within 90 days from the date of purchase, the watch equipped with the COSC-certified P-331-MH calibre can benefit from an international warranty extended from the traditional three years to five years.
For further information visit perrelet.com