l＆mr rainhill trials black

The outcome of the Rainhill Trials became a turning point in the history of industrialization – an event comparable in its impact to the invention of the internet or the first airplane. Within just two decades, railways would connect major cities across Europe and America, revolutionizing the transportation of goods and communication. The L&MR Rainhill Trials collection is an ode to human boldness and creativity, to the engineering genius that changed the world.

The models feature an entirely new industrial-style case that reinforces the conceptual essence of the collection. The form, combining polished and satin-finished surfaces, together with a textured crown, evokes the mechanical aesthetics of the Industrial Revolution while enhancing the dynamic visual rhythm of the dial.

The dial is compositionally divided into three indication rings connected by stylized “depots,” between which the volumetric locomotive hands move. The central axis hosts the seconds hand. The train moving along the outer track indicates the hours, while the one running along the inner track marks the minutes. Time is read when the front of the locomotive crosses the corresponding indication mark.

For convenience, when the hour locomotive is concealed within one of the four depots, a contrasting auxiliary hour hand runs parallel to it, located on the same radius as the minute locomotive but positioned slightly lower in the mechanism.

Each miniature locomotive – no longer than 4 mm and no higher than 2 mm – features an extraordinary level of detail and individual design. This remarkable precision was achieved through extensive experimentation with manufacturing technologies and materials.

The hour locomotive draws inspiration from the legendary Rocket locomotive designed by Robert Stephenson, the winner of the Rainhill Trials. The minute locomotive’s design pays homage to the Novelty, engineered by John Ericsson and John Braithwaite, which captured public admiration and took second place in the competition.

The indication style deserves special mention – it unites diverse elements such as numerals, markers, and volumetric stylized screws into a harmonious composition, maintaining the industrial aesthetic of the collection.

Through the skeletonized dial, the viewer can admire the Swiss Sellita SW200 movement – 26 jewels, 41-hour power reserve, accuracy −12/+30 seconds per day. A specially skeletonized version of the movement’s plates and bridges was developed exclusively for this collection.

The case back, crafted from stainless steel in industrial style, features a sapphire crystal window revealing the mechanism at work. The customized rotor design mirrors the skeletonized dial pattern, while the lower part bears detailed engraving.

The case is made of stainless steel; the front crystal is sapphire with double-sided anti-reflective coating; water resistance is rated to 50 m. The strap is crafted from genuine leather.

The limited-edition collection comprises four color variations, each produced in 500 pieces. Each watch comes with a special travel case.