The three-dimensional, openwork movement and dial of the Nebula offer views into the very heart of the in-house manufacture calibre. Its gold case has been reinvented in a 38 mm diameter, magnifying the hypnotic micro-mechanical spectacle of the hand-wound movement.
Besides the careful attention to equilibrium, the powerful allure of the Nebula also derives from the calculated proportions and ratios of diameter versus height, size and placement of every gear and wheel. Rather than being an assembly of disparate components – case, dial, and movement – Nebula was designed from the ground up to be completely holistic, with all components blending harmoniously into one. For instance, no less than ten bridges of this complex calibre form the dial.
The balanced construction of A&S 5101 calibre – horizontally and vertically symmetrical, both front and back explains the watch lovers’ strong attraction to the refined Nebula 38mm. On the dial side, symmetry at top to bottom is provided by the two mainspring barrels, which provide a very healthy 90 hours of power above, and small seconds plus the oscillating balance wheel below. Seven of the skeletonized and chamfered triangular bridges with polished edges fixed around the perimeter of the movement and radiating inward, offer a contemporary take on traditional architecture.
“Nebula” (Latin for “cloud”) refers to the astronomical term describing a giant cloud of dust and gas thrown out by the explosion of a dying star. Nebulae are also regions where new stars are beginning to form. The seven bridges on the dial side radiate from the centre toward the perimeter and give an impression of stellar explosion to the sculptural movement.