Derek Pratt Remontoir d'Egalité

Inspiration

Luca Soprana, as an artisan watchmaker committed to pure, uncompromising watchmaking based on the values of the codes of fine mechanics, pays tribute to the heritage of an English watchmaker, Derek Pratt. This timepiece perpetuates the exceptional heritage of an English watchmaker known only to connoisseurs of 20th century watchmaking. His legendary discretion was matched only by the importance of his contribution to the development of certain calibres, and in particular his collaboration with Georges Daniels was decisive in the development of the co-axial escapement later industrialised by Omega. Derek Pratt has made pocket watches for Urban Jürgensen, including the famous 'Oval watch' recently sold at auction.

Using the mechanical concept that Derek Pratt had perfected in tourbillon escapements, the remontoir d'égalité à la seconde on a Reuleaux ruby cam, Luca Soprana has completed the master's work that began in 2009. The "Derek Pratt by Luca Soprana "Remontoir d'égalité" timepiece is a tribute to a concept of watchmaking based on technical mastery and refined aesthetics.

In 2022, Luca Soprana took on the monumental task of bringing Pratt's unfinished dream to life: creating the iconic wristwatch that had never been made and demonstrating that the split-second winding system he had used on the tourbillon could work equally well on a 'static' escapement. With meticulous respect for Pratt's original drawings and his own bold vision, Soprana not only completed this masterpiece, but he also elevated it to a level of refinement and mastery that had previously seemed unattainable. This is how the Derek Pratt Equality Remontoir finally saw the light of day in 2024 with a limited series and this new version with a Roman numeral dial presented in 2025.

DP07 movement

Entirely designed and crafted in Luca Soprana's workshop, the hand-wound DP07 calibre is distinguished by its remontoir d’égalité mechanism, which acts as a constant force by means of a Reuleaux triangle. Directly engaged with the winding pinion, which rewinds the mainspring every second, the small seconds hand at 7.30 o'clock jumps in time.

The two barrels are beautifully suspended without being hidden by a bridge. A Maltese cross limits the power reserve to 40 hours to ensure that the winder never stops working. By making the transmission of energy extremely stable (variation in amplitude of max 3 degrees), the mechanism allows isochronism and therefore very high market precision. The escapement fitted with a Breguet-curved balance-spring is magnificently enhanced by a very subtle movement architecture. The conical, cradled cockerel follows the coherence of a visual decomposition of the various elements of the regulating organ. The equal winding system is clearly visible, with its highly distinctive aesthetic dear to Derek Pratt, featuring the geometry of the Reuleaux triangle. The frosted mainplate contrasts beautifully with the blocked polished bridges and the matt-grained barrel bridge. The movement is signed with Derek Pratt's name and adorned with a "Derek Pratt Invenit" plaque.

Front side

Following the logic of the calibre's subtle aesthetic, the ruthenium-decorated nickel silver dial is decorated with a "chemin de fer" minute track and Roman numeral hour markers engraved and decorated with black lacquer. A small seconds hand is visible on a counter at 07.30, decorated with a "chemin de fer" minute-circle and coloured with black lacquer. The hour and minute hands are arrow-shaped in blued steel, while the small seconds hand is diamond-shaped. The dial is signed by Derek Pratt. In this way, Luca Soprana is paying his respects as a spiritual heir without even putting his name on the timepiece he created.

The case is soberly classic, with alternating polished and vertical brushed finishes. The horns are attached and welded to complete the subtle aesthetic.