The introduction of Fabergé’s debut fine watch collection in 2015 met with resounding applause, even attracting a Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève award – the Oscars of the watchmaking industry – for its charming though infinitely complex Lady Compliquée.

But one piece of the puzzle was conspicuous by its absence. Whilst Fabergé’s female clients were presented with an enviable choice of high jewellery masterpieces, complications and elegant two-handed timepieces, the offering for men consisted of a single, spectacular flying tourbillion – the Fabergé Visionnaire I. 

This year Fabergé adds new depth to its men’s offer with the introduction of not only the Fabergé Visionnaire DT, but also a men’s core collection, the Fabergé Altruist. As its name suggests, the Fabergé Altruist offers much to the man who chooses to wear it, through its carefully considered design from the intricate, traditional motif on the dial to the tactile pleasure derived form winding its unique crown. 

Fabergé Altruist is an elegant, three-handed 41mm watch presented in 18-carat white and rose gold variations; resolutely modern in construction, but traditional in its design.

The round case and bold, yet softly tapered lugs create a classic silhouette for a versatile timepiece. The Fabergé Altruist is wound and adjusted by a Fabergé crown with pivoting finger-grip, which swings out to afford better purchase and offers a winding experience like a clockwork key of old. This distinctive crown offers a playful, kinetic element which is sure to draw back its owner time and time again like a familiar talisman. 

The centerpiece of the Fabergé Altruist is its guilloche dial motif that radiates out form its centre-point in waves. The 18-carat white gold model is presented using a technique long-associated with Fabergé; namely a hand-guilloched motif over which Grand Feu enamel is applied, offering added depth in a lustrous blue to the exquisitely intricate dial.

Fabergé signs the dial of its Fabergé Altruist collection with italicised Roman numerals at the quarter positions of the dial. 

The white opaline dial of the 18-carat rose gold model is treated to an added flourish of depth and detail with applied rose gold indices. While at first glance the hands might appear to the Breguet in style, instead of the traditional circular apertures the Fabergé Altruist features elongated, egg-shaped openings to create something altogether more Fabergé. A variation on this style of hand unique to Fabergé – is also shared with the lady’s core collection, Fabergé Flirt. 

A domed sapphire crystal, that unbreakable design code of contemporary Fabergé timepieces, offers the complete timepiece an organic, pebble-like frame, while a sapphire crystal case back affords aview of the 3000 calibre’s bespoke 22-carat gold oscillating weight.  

The Fabergé Altruist collection is water resistant to 30m and is secured on an alligator strap with matching 18-carat gold pin buckle.

The heart of the manufacture

The models of the Fabergé Altruist collection are all equipped with self-winding Vaucher Manufacture movements. Designed, manufactured and assembled in traditional fashion, they are the fruit of the expertise that is unique to Swiss watchmakers. In the same spirit, each component is worked to ensure the greatest possible brilliance. All are decorated with motifs based on objects produced by Peter Carl Fabergé himself. The calibres are self-winding and make use of an oscillating weight decorated in the Fabergé style. To highlight the precious and rare character of this movement, it is produced in 22-carat gold. The movements equipping the Fabergé Altruist collection are thus all distinguished by haute horlogerie features.