The 1941 Quadrivium Tantalum

From Grönefeld -

Courtesy of Grönefeld

This is the latest from the Grönefeld brothers Tim and Bart. This is the 1941Quadrivium in tantalum.

Quadrivium (Quad) has four complications in this one watch. Per Grönefeld:

The 1941 Quadrivium unites four of the brand’s most admired complications within a single, extraordinary watch. Developed entirely from the ground up, it features a 7.5-seconds remontoire, a one-minute flying tourbillon, central jumping seconds, and a power reserve indicator, all driven by a movement equipped with serially connected concentric twin barrels.

Courtesy of Grönefeld

This new model is available in two different versions - tantalum (above) and platinum.

Both are limited to 28 pieces.

Should you have the means and the inclination, here are the pertinents, straight from the source:

Movement

Calibre G-09

Mechanical hand-wound movement; tourbillon, remontoire, dead seconds and power reserve indicator

Movement

Diameter 32.0 mm
Thickness: 6.15 mm

Number of components

473 parts in the whole movement

Number of jewels

49 jewels, partially set in gold chatons

Power reserve

50 hours
A satellite-wheel mechanism provides a precise indication of the remaining power reserve

Barrels

Two coaxially arranged barrels connected in series toprovide a continuous and balanced energy supply

Tourbillon

One minute flying tourbillon cage made in stainless steel Durnico 

Balance wheel

Titatium free sprung variable inertia balance wheel (10.0 mm diameter)

Frequency

21.600 vibrations/hour

Balance spring

Phillips terminal overcoil curve; Geneva-style stud

Escapement

Swiss lever escapement

Main Plate

Spotted and snailed ruthenium plated brass

Bridges

Hand bevelled; stainless steel. Micro-blasted centre; circular grain on the top; relief engraved in the micro blasted surface

Dead seconds

A dedicated dead-seconds mechanism, positioned above the conventional going train, allows the escapement to operate at its natural frequency while regulating the seconds-hand to advance in precise one-second intervals

Winding-setting

Conventional winding and setting mechanism; hacking seconds at the 60 seconds position

Case and Dial

Case

1941 Design. Round, three-piece case featuring a domed sapphire crystal on the front, with anti-glare treatment on both sides. The flat sapphire crystal on the case back is also treated with anti-glare coating on both sides. The case is engraved with the serial number and secured by eight security screws

Number of components

Case: 24 parts
Dial/hands: 27 parts

Case dimensions

Diameter: 40.0 mm
Thickness: 11.3 mm

Water resistance

3 atmospheres - 30 meters - 100 feet

Crown

Engraved with “G” logo

Dial

Base dial in brass, applied stainless steel segments and white gold hour markers. Choice of 5 colors

Hands

Hours and minutes, large counter poised seconds,power-reserve. All hands are steel and heat blued

Indications

Small hours and minutes at 2 o’clock
Extra long jumping seconds hand at the center
Power reserve indicator at 10 o'clock
Visible flying tourbillon cage at 6 o’clock
Visible governor of the remontoire mechanism at 9 o'clock

Strap

Hand-sewn leather, 20mm-18mm

Buckle

Tantalum or Platinum pin buckle, engraved with Grönefeld logo. 18mm

Weight

Tantalum approximately 108 grams, including strap and buckle
Platinum approximately 120 grams, including strap and buckle

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The SB04-E “TANTOSTER”

From Sartory Billard -

Courtesy of Sartory Billard

This is the latest from Armand Billard, and is an exclusive offering partnering with Oster Jewelers -

Sartory-Billard × Oster Jewelers — The SB04-E “TANTOSTER”

Per Sartory Billard -

We’re proud to unveil the SB04-E “TANTOSTER”, a limited collaboration between Sartory-Billard and Oster Jewelers in Denver.

This edition pushes the boundaries of traditional craftsmanship. For the first time, the timeless “grand panier” guilloché pattern has been engraved on tantalum — a noble metal revered for its deep grey tone, remarkable resilience, and near-impossible hardness.

Each of the ten dials represents an experiment in patience, precision, and perseverance — a study in how light dances across one of Earth’s rarest materials.

The result: something quietly extraordinary. A watch that balances texture and tone, strength and grace, made for those who seek the uncommon.

And for those who appreciate the craft behind the art — every half dial machined required a new cutting tool, as tantalum relentlessly wore down each one. Ten dials, countless tools, infinite dedication.

SB04-E “TANTOSTER” — limited to ten pieces worldwide.
Now available exclusively through Oster Jewelers, Denver.

US $ 6850 - price includes delivery and tariffs -

You can find more details here -

 
https://www.osterjewelers.com/products/sartory-billard-sb04-e-tantoster

Good Guys Sometimes Finish First - The SB04-E!

Courtesy of Sartory Billard

Okay, I want you to imagine...

Imagine you are a designer, you have a successful design studio. You have a wife, two kids, responsibilities. To celebrate you and your friend's birthday you design and produce a watch. It does okay. You then make a very successful - and very affordable watch. And then, feeling that there is still room to grow you go back to the woodshed and come out with a watch so cool it blows up Instagram. 

Oh, and imagine that you are pretty much universally liked not just for your designs, but also because you are a genuinely nice person?

Courtesy of Sartory Billard

Armand Billard does not fit the mold of the typical watch brand rock star... thank goodness!

Yesterday Watch Town's social media channels were alight with news of Sartory Billard's latest offerings, and with good reason.

From small production runs, to bespoke pieces, and now something in the middle! These two beautiful new time machines offer the aesthetic of a custom Sartory Billard watch at a more affordable price. And for those with the means, not to worry - Armand will still be offering his truly spectacular custom creations will still be available.

Here are the two new models -

Courtesy of Sartory Billard

First up is the SB04-E Tantalum. In Sartory Billard's own words -

Tantalum Hand-Engraved: This dial showcases the mastery of hand-engraving. Like feathers catching the light, the texture is born of meticulous work by Armand. The resistant nature of tantalum makes achieving this unique pattern all the more satisfying.

Courtesy of Sartory Billard

Want something brighter? Armand's got you covered! In addition to Tantalum, the SB04-E also comes in a pretty spiffy Ruby version -

Ruby Platinum: This dial is crafted from a single piece of exceptionally rare ruby, meticulously cut and shaped to reveal its captivating depth and unique brilliance. Each "Cœur de Rubis" dial is a one-of-a-kind cut, bearing the distinct character and natural variations of the stone.

Here are pertinents -

Technical Specifications and Pricing

• Movement: La Joux-Perret G101

• Winding Mechanism: Tungsten rotor

• Diameter: 26mm

• Height: 4.45 mm

• Frequency: 4Hz

• Jewels: 24

• Power Reserve: 68 hours

• Case:

• Material: 316L stainless steel 

• Diameter: 39.5mm

• Height: 10.3mm 

• Lug to lug: 46mm

• Water Resistance: 100m

• Crown: Screw-down & Lumed

• Strap: 

• 20mm Curved Delugs CTS rubber strap with deployant clasp. 

• Each watch also includes a voucher for a free additional Delugs strap.

• Dial: 

• Cœur de Rubis (Heart of Ruby) with a fumé sunray textured Platinum-plated outer ring 

• Full Tantalum with handmade “Feathers” engraving with a fumé sunray textured solid tantalum outer ring 

• Pad printed Minute track and Y design in white Super-LumiNova® BGW9 lume. 

• Diamond cut indexes and ring between the dial parts.

Pricing MSRP (Excluding VAT):

• SB04-E Ruby Platinum: €4700 

• SB04-E Tantalum Hand-Engraved: €3500

The UR-105 Tantalum Hull

It would seem that this is the end of the line for the UR-105. But if you're gonna go, you might as well go out with a bang -

Courtesy of Urwerk

This is the final curtain for Urwerk's UR-105, and it certainly puts an exclamation mark on a spectacular series.

Courtesy of Urwerk

This is truly a countdown as there are only 12 pieces for this final version.  

Here are the pertinents -

Movement
Caliber:
UR 5.03, automatic winding regulated by twin turbines

Jewels:
52

Frequency:
28,800vph / 4Hz

Power reserve:
48 hours

Materials:
Satellite hour Geneva crosses in beryllium bronze; skeletonized carrousel in aluminum; skeletonized nickel-phosphorus LIGA digital seconds; carrousel and triple mainplate in ARCAP

Finishing:
Perlage, bead blasting, frosting
Screw heads with polished bevels
Hours and minute indexes hand-painted with Super-LumiNova

Indications
Satellite hours; minutes, digital seconds
Power reserve


Case
Material:
UR-105 CT “soap bar” case in titanium and tantalum

Dimensions:
Width: 39.5 mm; length: 53mm; height: 17.8 mm

Crystal:
Sapphire crystal

Water resistance:
Pressure tested to 30 m / 3 ATM

Strap:
Vulcarbon© rubber reference “Kiska” with black DLC buckle

Price
CHF 77,000 (Swiss francs, excluding tax)

F.P.Journe Participates for the First Time in ONLY WATCH

And their first contribution to ONLY WATCH is a stunner!

Courtesy of F.P. Journey

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, may I present the F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain Bleu 
While every brand is providing a unique piece, I have to say that this one (for me at least) is "Best in Show" so far.  Tantalum, boys and girls, tantalum!  The case is 40 mm of tantalum goodness, and if the press release is anything to go on, it is the first time a tourbillon has been housed in a Tantalum case.  We see Tantalum mentioned from time to time in press releases, we know it's pretty valuable, but just what is Tantalum?  Glad you asked!

Per our old friends at Wikipedia (so you know it must be true!) -
Tantalum is a chemical element with symbol Ta and atomic number 73. Previously known as tantalium, its name comes from Tantalus, a hero from Greek mythology.

The movement (Calibre F.P. Journe 1403) is of gold, and is manual winding.