Introducing the MCT Sequential Two S200 black DLC Limited Editions – hands-on with live photos & price

MCT stands for ‘Manufacture Contemporaine du Temps‘, that means, once translated from French, Contemporary Time Manufacture. Clearly, this suits the watches produced quite well. The way that the MCT Sequential Two is displaying time is both modern, unusual and unique. In a sense, what we are calling here contemporary watchmaking. Already available in Red Gold and in White Gold, the MCT Sequential Two S200 comes now in a black DLC limited edition with coloured accents.

Back in 2008, MCT introduced their first watch, the Sequential One S100. For a first attempt, it was a stunning one. The main idea of MCT was to create watches with a unique display, at the same time exciting and interactive but also extremely easy to read in a glance. By using four rotating module with prisms for the hours, a retrograde hand on 270° for the minutes and a central module moving from 90° every hours, MCT was able to create a watch both modern, innovative, playful and easy to use. The mechanism may be complicated, the legibility is superb. While the first watch was coming in a 45mm square case, the second watch created by the brand was coming in a more easy to wear round case. It was called the MCT Sequential Two S200 and it is now the base for a limited edition made of Black DLCed white gold and bright coloured numerals.

Technically speaking, these new limited editions are using the exact same base than the ‘usual‘ MCT Sequential Two – meaning that we’re in front of quite an interesting piece of horology. The S200 was introduced last year at Baselworld, in two gold editions (red and white). Using the same rotating prisms mechanism than the Sequential One, this new watch was keeping the same DNA but with a round case – that actually changed a lot the perception of this timepiece. The movement and display were also improved on several aspects. The MCT Sequential Two is not just a new case, it’s a whole new watch – with MCT’s DNA.

To understand what’s new, you first have to understand how this watch works. In his previous article, our executive editor explained it to us this way “The first difficulty is that the C-shape, which is relief-engraved with “Manufacture Contemporaine du Temps”, rotates counter-clockwise. The C-shape has a 90 degree opening, which unveils the actual hour. And that actual hour is displayed by means of five prisms, which rotate to show the correct number. The centrally positioned minute hand indicates the minutes on a minute track that is surrounding the dial’s perimeter. This ‘C-shape’ arc rotates 90° anticlockwise, every hour, so its opening unveils the new hour. This means that the hours have to be read from four positions on the dial, being at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock.“

This C-Shape arc was previously used on the S100 as a minute track, meaning that the minutes were displayed on 270°. In order to improve legibility, the minutes are now indicated on an external 360° track, as every usual watch. The new display makes it easier to read time but the magic of the jumping arc and of the rotating prisms is still alive. The other novelty comes from the movement itself. While the MCT Sequential One was using a mechanical hand-winding movement, the MCT Sequential Two brings an interesting self-winding mechanism, relying on a micro-rotor in 21k gold in order to keep the movement slim enough. The movement is of course fully developed in-house and exclusive to MCT. It comes with superb finishes, such as polished beveled angles, Geneva Stripes, perlage on the main plate and a modern layout.

For 2015, MCT decided to introduce some limited editions based on a black and bright colours scheme. The case is now made of 18K white gold coated with black DLC. Such a coating on a precious metal is surprising. However, black DLC on white gold brings a unique transparency that reveals the different finishes of the case – mirror polished or brushed surfaces – and the render is more precise than on any other material. Both the case, with its superb architectural lugs, the dial, the prisms and the strap are black. However, MCT chose to enliven this dark and cold scheme with bright coloured number and matching stitchings on the strap. The MCT Sequential Two looks sportier and maybe smaller than on precious metal.

The case and crystals are still using the same shape. The casebands are slim and the top crystal is highly domed. Thus you have the impression to dive into the movement and you can observe the sides of the prisms and their multiple gears. A sapphire ring inserted in the caseband allows to bring light into the indications, complication and movement, creating a stronger three-dimensional visual treat. On the wrist, due to the very curved and short lugs and the round case, the MCT Sequential Two remains extremely wearable – more than the squared S100 – even with a 44.6mm case.

The MCT Sequential Two S200 black DLC Limited Edition comes in three editions: light blue, yellow and orange. It will be priced at CHF 97.500 before taxes. More details on MCT official.