The present watch is the Berneron Mirage 38 Sienna in Yellow Gold, an extraordinary independent creation in which the movement itself dictates the shape of the watch. Conceived by Sylvain Berneron, the Mirage rejects the conventional premise of fitting a calibre within a predetermined case; instead, its distinctive asymmetrical form emerges directly from the architecture and requirements of the movement within.<\/p>\n
The result is an object of striking originality. Its 18k yellow-gold case measures 38 \u00d7 34 mm, with a slender 7 mm profile and a compact 42 mm lug-to-lug span. Though undeniably sculptural, the Mirage remains remarkably refined on the wrist. The asymmetry is neither arbitrary nor decorative: it provides the space required for the unusually large barrel, direct small-seconds display, and pocket-watch-inspired balance wheel of the calibre. It is a case whose unusual proportions have a clear mechanical purpose.<\/p>\n
Crafted entirely in yellow gold, the Mirage Sienna conveys an especially warm and discreet kind of luxury. The case, dial, hands, buckle, and even the spring bars are executed in 18k yellow gold, creating an unusually cohesive and uncompromising whole. A hesalite crystal with scratch-resistant coating protects the dial, while a sapphire caseback with internal anti-reflective treatment offers an unobstructed view of the movement.<\/p>\n
The Sienna dial is named for one of the oldest artistic pigments, originating in the Italian city of Siena. In its natural state, sienna is a yellowish-brown earth tone; when heated, it develops the richer reddish-brown hue associated with Renaissance painting. This warm, mineral-inspired shade gives the watch its depth and personality, creating a subtle contrast against the surrounding yellow-gold architecture. It is a dial colour chosen not for fashion, but for its historic and artistic resonance.<\/p>\n
At its heart lies the manually wound calibre 233, an extraordinary movement measuring 30 \u00d7 28 mm and just 2.3 mm thick. Made with an 18k solid-gold structure, the movement was designed to combine an exceptionally slim profile with substantial performance. Its unconventional layout permits the use of a larger barrel, delivering a generous 72-hour power reserve, while an inverted hand-setting construction\u2014placing the hour hand above the minute hand\u2014contributes to the Mirage\u2019s remarkable thinness.<\/p>\n
Comprising 135 components and 17 jewels, calibre 233 is fitted with a free-sprung balance wheel operating at 21,600 vibrations per hour, or 3 Hz, and a traditional Swiss lever escapement. The movement is finished to a remarkably elaborate standard, with guilloch\u00e9 bridges, hand-applied anglage, colima\u00e7onnage on the crown wheel, laser engraving on the barrel, cerclage on the hour wheel, traits tir\u00e9s on the click, and nuagage within the bridge recesses.<\/p>\n
The Mirage Sienna is completed by a supple Barenia leather strap, tapering from 20 mm to 16 mm, and fitted with a matching 18k yellow-gold buckle. With production limited to only 24 pieces per year, this reference represents a rare and highly personal vision of contemporary haute horlogerie\u2014one that balances technical ingenuity, old-world craft, artistic inspiration, and a form unlike anything else in modern watchmaking.<\/p>\n
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Berneron – bio<\/strong><\/p>\n Berneron is a Swiss-based independent watchmaker founded by designer Sylvain Berneron, formerly of Breitling and BMW. The brand gained international acclaim with the launch of the Mirage, a timepiece defined by its asymmetrical, “aspherical” gold case and matching shaped movement. By rejecting the traditional circular constraints of horology, Berneron creates sculptural objects where form and function are developed in unison. Each watch is produced in extremely limited quantities, emphasizing hand-finishing, precious materials, and a unique design language that challenges the aesthetic conventions of the luxury watch industry.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n