Just Under The Radar - The Neografic

From White Star -

Courtesy of White Star

Proof positive that I am often late to the party, this is the Neografic from White Star. I think it's safe to say that you'd be forgiven for never having heard of White Star before. But with that being said, today's the day! 

White Star is the re-boot of a firm that started out in (I am assuming here) 1895. A family company, it survived the ups and downs that most companies did, and like many companies tossed in the towel in the 80s, selling the company. It was given the Sleeping Beauty treatment, and has been awakened by Cédric Berruex.

Courtesy of White Star

The Neografic has my favorite complication - a moonphase, and enhances it with a day / night indicator. And as I am a man of a certain age, the large and prominent date window is an added plus.

I will try to come back with more about the White Star brand and the people behind it shortly. But we will leave it for now with the Neographic. It is very well priced at 2,635 CHF, and it is definitely not something you will see on too many other wrists. At least not yet ; )

Here are the pertinents -

Case:

904L stainless steel, alternating mirror polished and finely satin finishes.

• Dimensions: Diameter: 39.5 mm. Lug to lug: 47.0 mm. Thickness: 12.20 mm. Lug width: 20.0 mm.
• Crown: 904L stainless steel.
• Bottom of box : 904L stainless steel, 6 star-shaped screw heads.
• Glass: Box-shaped sapphire crystal, treated with six layers of colorless anti-reflective coating.
• Water resistance: 10 ATM / 100 meters / 328 feet

Caliber:

Sellita 285-1 b, White Star oscillating weight.

• Complications, functions: Hour, minute and second in the center, moon phase at 5 o'clock, day/night indication at 9 o'clock and date at 2 o'clock.
• Rubies: 26
• Power reserve: 41 hours
• Frequency: 28,800 Hz
• Finishes: Geneva stripes, beaded mainplate. Bevels, crown wheel, ratchet and snailed barrel, blued screws. Nickel-plated.

Dial:

The meticulously crafted decoration reveals a subtle gradient of browns and beiges achieved through precise color matching. The concentric circles, applied with particular care and coated with Grade X Super-LumiNova®, create a remarkably fine, off-center "radar" effect. A luminescent moon phase, also made with Grade X Super-LumiNova®, and the day/night function stars are also featured. The dial is adorned with a metal White Star logo appliqué.

• Index: Individually diamond-cut, rose gold plated by electroplating and coated with grade X1 Super-LumiNova®.
• Hands: The hour, minute, and second hands are custom-made and diamond-cut, creating a mirror-like polished surface. The seconds hand, with its curved tip, follows the domed shape of the sapphire crystal. All hands are filled with X1-grade Super-LumiNova®.