At Baselworld 2014, Manufacture Royale launched the 1770 collection which is named after the year the brand was originally founded. Presented in a 43 mm by 11.72 mm case, crafted in either rose gold or steel, the 1770 is distinguished by a 60-second flying tourbillon, visible through the large dial aperture at 7 o’clock.

A “flying tourbillon” is not supported by a bridge, at both the top and bottom, instead, it’s cantilevered (being only supported from one side). The result is a better view of the delicate mechanics as they perform their gravity-defying ballet, for the wearer and any onlookers to admire.

The dial of the rose gold model has a silvered opaline finish with applied rose gold hour markers that have been diamond-polished by hand. Huge rose gold sword-shaped central hands indicate the hours and minutes. At 10 o’clock is a power reserve indicator, which reads shows how much of the 108-hour maximum mainspring energy is remaining (up to four and half days).

Animating all the functions of the 1770 is caliber MR03 which was manufactured in conjunction with brand partner Tec Ebauches. The manually wound movement beats at 3Hz, has 208 components, and features a silicium escape wheel and pallet fork, and a flat balance spring and screwed balance.

Everything has been hand-finished to perfection. The bridges and mainplate have been fine-sandblasted, hand-chamfered, and black-polished with satin or perlage finished. Additionally, the plate and bridges have been finished with a Côtes de Genève decoration.

The crown features an MR logo that has been sanded and hand polished. Water resistance is 30 meters. Each timepiece is paired with an alligator strap, with alligator lining and hand-rolled edges, along with a matching hand-polished pin and buckle. Retail is $58,000 in steel with grey dial and $70,000 in rose gold with silver dial (as shown).