Boutique
IW RATING
SYSTEM LEGEND
30-39:
A great timepiece that may suffer from one or
more weak points weighing down the overall score.
40-49:
A superlative example
of fine timekeeping.
RUDIS SYLVA
Harmonious Oscillator
Now marking its tenth year since first
introduced, Rudis Sylva’s Harmonious
Oscillator is beating away on the wrists of just
over 100 well-heeled and savvy watch collec-
tors. Boasting an escapement unlike any other,
the Rudis Sylva Harmonious Oscillator may
not have the attention of the various factions
handed out plaudits and awards, but in my
opinion is more deserving of approbation for
its invention than any other regulating organ
currently beating in a mechanical watch. Chro-
nometer escapements, multi-axis tourbillons,
and even the frenetic
buzzing of the high-speed silicium oscillators do
not come close to combining classical
watchmaking mechanics with such an elegant
solution that effectively turns the sine wave flat
for this escapement.
Well beyond the resonance effect of other
dual escapement movements, the Harmonious
Oscillator physically connects two indepen-
dent balance wheels whose hair-springs are in
constant opposition to one another achieving
this amazing effect.
As if that were not enough, these two
antagonistic balances are mounted in a cage
that rotates once a minute like so many other
simpler tourbillon complications. In addition to
the inherent mastery of the mechanical, Rudis
Sylva also applies the highest standards of
finishing and elegance to a fine timepiece that
is at once very simple and very complex. If you
are a high-end collector, Rudi Sylva is a watch
you need to add to your collection – if you can
find one.
26 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | SPRING 2020