REB 7 Régulateur

The Regulator timepiece has an almost mystical status in horological history due to its traditional role as the reference clock used by the watchmaker to time the accuracy of all other clocks and watches. The Regulator had to be both extremely accurate and easy to read so that the precise time could be quickly ascertained without the possibility of confusion. To ensure the readability the indications were usually separated into a central minutes hand with hours and seconds on their own sub-dials.

Rebellion's stunning REB-7 takes that traditional Regulator design and reinvents it for the 21st century. Displaying both the minutes and seconds centrally has enabled Rebellion to include a very legible large date indication as well as providing easy reading of the exact time.

Developed to Rebellion's exacting specifications by master watchmaker Laurent Besse, the audacious REB-7 offers as much in the way of technical surprise as it does in the way of aggressive visual excitement. 

The hours on a (opened) sub-dial at 12 o'clock and central minute hand are the only cues Rebellion borrows from traditional Regulator design; the rest, like everything the brash young brand does, is very much its own. The first thing that attracts attention is the complete absence of a dial; perhaps even more impressive is the fact that though there is total visual access allowing the viewer to appreciate the complex movement within, there is no compromise to the ease of quickly and precisely reading the time, right down to the exact minute and second – a quality essential in a true Regulator.

The open architecture of the design means that virtually all of the dates are visible all of the time and apparently floating in air, yet the correct date manages to visually leap out. This ingenious effect is achieved by turning the laser-cut black gold date ring over a black gold movement plate and passing it over a luminous zone under the date window at 6 o'clock.

Rebellion's timepieces are bold and racy, and it should come as no surprise to find this carried through to the back of the watch. Turning the watch over, a display back reveals the mechanics, bright colours, wheels and brake disk (the automatic winding rotor) of a high-performance racing car.