Some years and many timepieces later and the realisation has slowly been building at HORAGE that we created a monster: how you improve a product called ‘Supersede’?

They say, “Never change a winning set-up” and the Supersede GMT has been winning hearts round the world ever since launching back in 2020 (yep, it feels like a different century to us too).

The almost perfect balance of textures, angles and finishing is only revealed after careful and considered examination. Compact in size yet packed with features, equipped with the tools to withstand both rugged conditions and whatever adrenalin seeking activity you call fun. Just as capable of delivering mission critical information mid dive as in the departure lounge.

In the unlikely (and rest assured, entirely hypothetical) event of you only ever owning one watch: Supersede GMT must surely be at the top of any shopping list.

But time marches relentlessly forwards and the desire grew to revisit this story: with a view to make both technical and aesthetic improvements. Mindful of the need to balance new with old our engineering and design teams slowly inched forwards.

Our priority was on the overall user experience. Alongside bringing freshness to the range with three new dial colours (Dark Sky, Kalahari & Andaman Blue) we focussed both on improving legibility and implementing innovative technology deep inside the K2 engine.

A Clearer Reading Experience

The former has been achieved with two revisions. Firstly, we updated the power reserve indicator with a more minimalist design, with the indicator mimicking the skeletonised hours/minute hand design. Secondly, we cleaned up the seconds track making the new dial clearer and sharper. The boost in legibility is belied by the subtle nature of these slight changes.

Invisible Innovation

The latter change is one which most owners will never be able to see: other than in its effect. A GMT watch equipped with a jumping hour hand is one which should be used. Changes in time zone can quickly be made without upsetting minutes, seconds or date. Yet achieving this functionality is an engineering challenge. A host of additional geartrain components are required to make the magic happen and as with any gearbox engineers need to decide on certain trade-offs. The closer and tighter the teeth of individual pinions mesh with one another, the more energy is consumed, the more frequently servicing is required.

Flexible Gear Train

A greater amount of space between each teeth reduces friction and wear. The trade off? When re-setting the local time zone there is a slight movement of the minute hand when the crown is pushed in. This occurs as the corresponding cogs of the geartrain are disengaged to adjust the time. What if modern technology could provide a new solution? By implementing a flexible geartrain component we can achieve the best of both worlds.

This new cog is not cut from a solid piece of material like normal gear parts but is ‘printed’ using a lithographic process, allowing engineers unparallelled design freedom. New geometries can be created with no trade-off of friction vs. precision vs. smooth time changes. When changing the local hour hand the flexible train ensures the minute hand remains absolutely stable, preserving the time setting.

Anti-Magnetic Silicon Escapement

HORAGE used advanced materials science and engineering to be amongst the first independent watchmakers to deliver their very own silicon hairsprings to the market.

SUPERSEDE still earns its name featuring an independent micro-rotor movement with a full anti-magnetic silicon escapement consisting of silicon anchor, escape wheel and hairspring.

Function: True GMT with independently set Centre Local Hand. Centre Home Hour, Minute and Seconds Hands, 24 Hour Day/Night Indicator, Power Reserve Indicator and Big Date

Movement: K2 micro-rotor, 3.6mm x 30mm, silicon spring & escapement, screw balance regulation, hand finished Côtes de Genève & quadratic black gold bridge.

Power Reserve: 72+ hour power reserve

Micro-Rotor: Gold plated tungsten

Dimensions: Diameter 39.5mm, thickness 9.85mm, lug to lug 46.29mm

Case: 904L stainless steel, crown guards

Crown: 904L stainless steel, screw down