Central Impulse Chronometer, Reference 9012 | A limited edition stainless steel chronometer wristwatch | Circa 2024
Dial: pacific green with guilloché center field
Calibre: cal. 9012 manual winding, 45 jewels
Movement number: 12/25
Case: stainless steel, snap-on sapphire crystal display case back
Case number: 12/25
Closure: stainless steel Lederer buckle
Size: 44 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: no
Accessories: Lederer COSC certificate dated 22-03-2024, instruction manual and presentation box with outer packagingThe Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer Series 4 represents the final chapter of Bernhard Lederer’s landmark chronometric project, bringing to a close a rigorously limited production of just 100 pieces across four series. Conceived as the culmination of decades of research into escapements and constant-force mechanisms, the model was initially introduced in 2020 and quickly distinguished itself with its reinterpretation of George Daniels’s independent double-wheel escapement, itself rooted in Breguet’s natural escapement. This breakthrough was formally recognized with the Innovation Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) in 2021, firmly establishing the watch among the most significant horological developments of its time. Across all iterations, each watch is powered by the in-house Calibre 9012, featuring two independent gear trains, dual escapement wheels, and twin 10-second constant-force remontoires, ensuring an exceptionally stable transmission of energy and near-perfect chronometric performance. Following the first two series in white gold (each limited to 25 pieces), Lederer introduced Series 3 in 18k rose gold with a black rhodium dial, before unveiling the final Series 4. Each of these last two series was likewise limited to 25 examples, thereby definitively completing the model. Series 4, offered in 904L stainless steel with a distinctive Pacific green dial, stands apart not only as the final execution of the Central Impulse Chronometer, but also as the only version produced in steel. This choice of material is particularly significant: unlike gold, which is softer and more prone to wear, 904L steel offers superior durability, exceptional corrosion resistance, and long-term structural integrity. Its use in haute horlogerie remains rare due to the complexity of machining it, requiring specialized tools and techniques, yet it yields a uniquely resilient case with a lasting, refined luster. The decision to maintain identical pricing across all four series, irrespective of case material, underscores Lederer’s philosophy that the true value of the watch resides in its movement rather than its external components. As such, Series 4 embodies both a technical and conceptual conclusion, marking the end of one of the most ambitious independent watchmaking projects of recent decades, and securing its place as a historically significant, finite series within contemporary horology.
