Cyrus ETHERAL Twin Orbital Tourbillon: Innovation in a 3D Dial Masterpiece

Explore the Cyrus ETHERAL Twin Orbital Tourbillon: a futuristic timepiece with dual inclined tourbillons, jumping hours, and a rotating 3D dial.

Introduction: The Birth of a New Era

In 2024, Cyrus Genève launched a radical new wristwatch that marked a turning point in its history—the ETHERAL Twin Orbital Tourbillon. For the first time ever, the avant-garde Swiss manufacture introduced a round case, blending artistic futurism with cutting-edge mechanical innovation.

This ambitious project, initiated back in 2018, comes to fruition as a limited-edition masterpiece, limited to only 18 pieces worldwide. The Cyrus ETHERAL is not just a wristwatch—it is a kinetic sculpture, a horological marvel, and a technological statement all in one.

The Vision Behind ETHERAL

The ETHERAL project was born from a desire to push horological boundaries while embracing modern design language. The Cyrus team set out to develop a timepiece that would not just tell time, but narrate a story through motion, depth, and geometry.

Central to this vision was the idea of a mobile 3D dial, a vibrant stage that showcases horological complexity. To animate this dial, Cyrus chose two inclined flying tourbillons and a digital jumping hour display, coupled with an unconventional triangular minute hand. These components interact dynamically on a rotating frame, transforming the watch into a constantly evolving display of artistry and precision.

A First for Cyrus: The Round Case

The ETHERAL is the first Cyrus timepiece to feature a round case, a departure from its signature cushion-shaped cases. The choice reflects a new design philosophy—sleeker, more elegant, but still unapologetically bold.

• Material: A luxurious blend of 4N rose gold and grade 5 titanium

• Diameter: 44 mm (excluding crowns and inserts)

• Thickness: 16.3 mm

• Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both front and back

• Water Resistance: 5 ATM (50 meters)

The round case ensures ergonomic comfort while maintaining a robust wrist presence. The dual crowns—a signature Cyrus feature—serve separate functions. The crown at 3 o’clock is for manual winding and time setting, while the crown at 9 o’clock acts as a pusher for quick hour adjustment.

The Dial: A 3D Theater of Mechanical Poetry

At the heart of the ETHERAL is a rotating dial architecture that is nothing short of mesmerizing. Built on an openworked frame, the dial components orbit in unison, embodying motion and mechanical grace.

Key Dial Features:

- Jumping Hour Display:

• Utilizes two truncated cone-shaped discs, each inclined at 18°

• Displays tens and units of hours in a legible horizontal layout

- Minute Indicator:

• A futuristic triangular hand with a 4N gold-plated finish and one tip filled with white Super-LumiNova (blue glow)

- Tourbillon Cages:

• Two flying tourbillons, each inclined at 20°, rotating clockwise

• Feature helix-shaped bridges with 4N gold-plated bevelled finishing

- Rotating Frame:

• Carries all dial components in a synchronized motion

• Openworked design with a tetrahedral motif insert and black PVD finishing

The dial’s futuristic geometry and deep mechanical layering make it visually arresting. Whether viewed head-on or at an angle, it offers depth, dimension, and perpetual animation.

The Twin Tourbillons: Defying Gravity in Style

Tourbillons have long been symbols of horological excellence, and Cyrus takes this a step further with dual inclined flying tourbillons. Positioned at the left and right flanks of the dial, they rotate freely, unencumbered by traditional structures.

Tourbillon Specs:

• Number: Two flying tourbillons

• Inclination: 20° each

• Weight: 0.42 grams per cage

• Rotation: One full rotation every 60 seconds

• Mounting: Suspended on a rotating frame, giving a “floating” appearance

By inclining the tourbillons and mounting them on a rotating platform, Cyrus enhances both their visual impact and functional dynamics, ensuring a constant ballet of balance and motion.

Movement: CYR518-E – A New Standard of Complexity

At the core of the ETHERAL beats the newly developed calibre CYR518-E, an in-house, hand-wound mechanical movement designed from the ground up.

Movement Highlights:

• Components: 510 individual parts

• Jewels: 63

• Frequency: 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour)

• Power Reserve: 72 hours (via twin barrels)

• Escapement: Swiss lever escapement

• Balance Wheel: Free-sprung with variable inertia

- Decoration:

• Black PVD-treated bridges with circled surfaces

• Polished and bevelled edges

• Frosted anthracite pockets

The movement includes three patents pending, a testament to its innovation and uniqueness. The twin barrels are adorned with frosted, PVD-coated ratchet wheels engraved with the Cyrus logo—another detail that reinforces the brand’s obsession with finishing and identity.

Rear View: Functional Beauty

Flip the ETHERAL over and you’ll discover that its beauty extends to the case back. A sapphire crystal reveals the meticulously decorated movement, along with a power reserve indicator—a thoughtful addition for a manual-winding watch.

The case back bridges are designed to complement the dial aesthetics, featuring a similar PVD-finished, geometric motif. This harmony ensures that every angle of the watch maintains a unified artistic language.

Strap & Clasp: Luxury Meets Comfort

No high-complication watch is complete without a strap that matches its elegance. The ETHERAL is paired with a hand-stitched black alligator leather strap, offering tactile luxury and supreme comfort.

• Material: Black alligator leather

• Stitching: Hand-crafted

• Clasp: Custom-designed pin buckle in 4N rose gold and grade 5 titanium

The contrast of supple leather with polished metals enhances the sensory experience of wearing the ETHERAL, further affirming its place in the haute horlogerie pantheon.

Limited to 18 Pieces: The Pinnacle of Exclusivity

Cyrus has restricted production of the ETHERAL Twin Orbital Tourbillon to just 18 pieces worldwide. This not only enhances the exclusivity of the timepiece but also positions it as a collectible rarity destined for seasoned connoisseurs and elite collectors.

Each watch is numbered and comes with a certification of authenticity, elevating its value and ensuring it holds a unique place in the annals of modern watchmaking.

Aesthetic Philosophy: The Futurism of Time

The ETHERAL is a design paradox—it is both symmetrical and dynamic, traditional in craftsmanship yet futuristic in vision. It represents an aesthetic evolution for Cyrus, where time is not just shown, but experienced.

The orbital motion, angular typography, and geometric elements collectively echo themes of space exploration, kinematics, and industrial design. Yet, at its core, the ETHERAL is deeply human—a machine that celebrates ingenuity, creativity, and the passage of time.

Cyrus ETHERAL Twin Orbital Tourbillon Key Facts

Feature	Details
Case	44mm round, 4N rose gold & titanium
Dial	Rotating frame with jumping hours, dual inclined tourbillons
Movement	Calibre CYR518-E, 510 components, 72h power reserve
Functions	Jumping hours, triangular minutes, power reserve
Strap	Black alligator leather with custom clasp
Water Resistance	5 ATM
Edition	Limited to 18 pieces
Patents	3 pending

Final Thoughts: A Milestone in Modern Watchmaking

The Cyrus ETHERAL Twin Orbital Tourbillon is not merely a timepiece. It’s a bold experiment in mechanical architecture, visual storytelling, and artistic freedom. With its 3D rotating dial, dual inclined tourbillons, and unconventional display of time, it offers an entirely new way to engage with horology.

From a technical perspective, the CYR518-E movement with its 510 components and triple-patented features sets a new benchmark in the independent watchmaking scene. Aesthetically, the futuristic motifs and kinetic dynamics make it one of the most visually impactful watches of 2024.

For those lucky enough to secure one of the 18 pieces, the ETHERAL is not just a purchase—it’s a gateway into a new horological dimension where form meets function in perfect, perpetual motion.

Keywords: Cyrus ETHERAL Twin Orbital Tourbillon, Cyrus watches 2024, luxury tourbillon watches, jumping hour tourbillon, twin tourbillon wristwatch, futuristic Swiss watch design, high-end mechanical watches

[photo credits: Cyrus / cyrus-watches.ch]

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