Jumping Petals!

This one sort of slipped under the radar on me, so apologies one and all.  But when I saw it this morning as the sun was rising over the Pacific here our little seaside paradise, I thought of those dreadful mornings I spent as a Northern Youth growing up in Ohio.  Around this time of year my father would be out at 7:30 AM in his pajamas, snow boots and overcoat.  There would be blankets over the hood of the old Buick station wagon, and a series of extension cords jury rigged to a hair dryer.  My father, cursing under his breath desperately trying to warm the hood of the car so that the engine might start.  No, I have no sense of nostalgia for those "halcyon" days.

But for those of you in more unforgiving climbs, I thought this might offer you some small measure of cheer to help celebrate the shortest day of the year with today being the Winter Solstice.  Ladies and gentlemen; boys and girls allow me to introduce the Surya from Frédéric Jouvenot.

Courtesy of Frederic Jouvenot

And because sometimes pictures (particularly moving ones) speak louder than words, here is a brief video showing the progression of time from midnight to noon -

http://vimeo.com/100083118?from=outro-local


And here are the details, straight from the source.  So be sure to get out there and embrace the sun - at least as much as you can ; )

- New face indicating the passage of 24 hours with day and night ( patented system ) - Hour display without discs or hands, replaced by 12 petals with 12 jumping hours
- Display of minutes via a disc turning in the center of the watch
- White gold bezel set with 54 round diamonds totaling 2.15 carats
- 12 pink sapphire-set dial elements
- 88-piece limited edition
- Swiss made
- Two-year warranty

Details of the movement :
- Exquisite workmanship mechanical movement with hours and minutes. Black gold balance with screws - Movement bridges decorated and engraved with rhodium plated côtes de Genève
- Dial and bridges polished angles
- Screw-adjusted balance, frequency of 28,800 vph
- A hundred components are found inside the heart of the sun, measuring 12 mm in diameter and 5 mm in heig - Automatic winding, 50-hour power reserve
- 47 jewels

Details of the casing :
- White gold case, crown and back, 50 m waterproof
- Face and back sapphire glass cover with antirefective coating
- White gold folding clasp
- Black or pink alligator leather strap
- Case diameter : 42 x 52 x 14 mm