Swiss brand creates watchmaking history with new complication-Montres Etoile combines Islamic and Gregorian Calendars in one watch

April 28, 2021:  Swiss watchmaker Montres Etoile announced the launch of its first complication, an automatic, tri-retrograde, Islamic Lunar and Gregorian Dual - calendar timepiece with moon face. This complicated wristwatch based on an automatic Swiss made movement is completed by a complication module made by Agenhor in Geneva and is housed in a steel watchcase. 

The watch is available through select retail partners across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman & Kuwait in time for the Eid gifting season as well as at boutiques and POS in Switzerland, Korea, China and Ukraine. Watch enthusiasts and collectors from other markets can contact the brand through their website.

The Islamic calendar began in 622 AD and is still used in most Islamic countries. To integrate the Islamic calendar together with the conventional Gregorian calendar on a mechanical wristwatch is a unique feature worldwide. The Etoile dual-calendar wristwatch is housed in an octangular shaped watchcase measuring 42mm in diameters indicating hours and minutes with two large hands in the center of the dial.

The date of the Gregorian calendar is indicated by a retrograde - hand starting from the left at 10 O'clock and ending at the right at 2 O'clock with the 31st day of the month. The date of the 30 days of the Islamic calendar are indicated at 6 O'clock with Arabic numerals. At 4 0'clock the retrograde hand starts indicating the first month of the Hijri calendar and ends at the left side of the dial at 8 O'clock with the last month.

Creatively inspired design and untiring technique have been the driving forces behind Stefan Hafner’s search for innovation in Etoile watches and jewellery since 1967. A collection in which there is play between volume and flexibility in a three dimensional game. Etoile launched its first watch and jewellery line in 1986.  It is the famous Swiss Italian creator, Stefan Hafner who designed and manufactured the watches and jewellery of this first collection.

At that time, most watches were of very traditional concept. Etoile longed to free its design from conventional restraints and imposed its very own style by creating sumptuously worked wrist watches, blending the erudite geometry of Islamic aesthetics with flowing art Déco designs. Thanks to its audacious and daring designs, Etoile has been introduced successfully in Europe, the Middle and Far-East. That same passion and philosophy inspires the brand today to create new models. By blending aesthetics of sober and pure lines with top quality Swiss movements, Etoile watches, created now created by Fulvio Borel, allow the brand Etoile to reaffirm its unique style.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Case diameter: 42 mm, including crown: 47.8 mm | Height: 12.5mm
Material: steel | Water resistance: 30 meters
Movement: Sellita SW 300/25 Jewels | Power reserve: 36 hours
Complication module: Agenhor | Functions: Hours and minutes
Hijri calendar, Day, month and moon-face | Gregorian calendar day of the month
Frequency: 28'800/h /4Hz | Strap: Rubber strap with folding clasp in steel