C3H5N3O9

The name of the project is C3H5N3O9, which is usually known as the molecular formula for nitroglycerine; but that, in the minds of Maximilian Busser and Serge Kriknoff, founders of, respectevely, MB&F and Urwerk, has become the name for a brand, an experimental platform for high-end watches.

The new watch born from this collaboration is named Experiment ZR012 and it features Wankel engine inspired hour and minute indications in an asymmetrical zirconium case with articulated and compound lugs. Other amenities include 42 jewel movement and water-resistance up to 30 meters.The time is indicated by two releaux, one overlapping the other, which respectively indicate the minutes and the hours. The two polygonal releaux, that at first glance can appear to be circular, rotate eccentrically, tracking complex curves .

The Experiment ZR012 is set to be limited to just twelve pieces for 2012 and it is sold exclusively through the C3H5N3O9 website at a price of 110000 Swiss francs, about 91500 euros as of today.  For next year, there there are plans to produce additional twelve pieces made in red gold.