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Cimier Bigmatic 16? Limited Edition (ref. 6110-BP021)

September 17, 2011 by Evgueni MatoussevitchFiled Under: Swiss Brands

Cimier Bigmatic 16½ Limited Edition Automatic (ref. 6110-BP021)

The limited-edition Cimier Bigmatic 16½ (ref. 6110-BP021) is powered by a legendary Unitas 6497-1 movement that you have probably never imagined in such a shape. Besides a serious redecoration, the good old caliber has also undergone an unusual modification. Initially designed in the 1950s as a hand-wound caliber, the mechanism was equipped with the brand’s own automatic winding system.

Although the movement was supposed to animate only pocket watches, it has finally become a movement of choice for the watchmakers that have oversized wristwatches in their product range. All of this comes thanks to its good reputation among the independent watchmakers, including niche-based dwarves that sell their timekeepers by hundreds at entry-level prices and much more established houses that can afford to extensively modify and decorate the historic calibers.

Cimier Bigmatic 16½ Limited Edition

Often installed “as is” and sometimes heavily decorated and even gold-plated, the movement usually preserves its main hand-wound design. Well, in fact, I have never heard of a brand that would attempt to equip it with an alternative winding system.

However, for the new Cimier Bigmatic 16½ the caliber was thoroughly reworked by Cimier’s engineers and equipped with their in-house automatic winding module.

Frankly speaking, I see no practical reason for such a transformation now, when there are so many natural-born Swiss-made automatic movements that offer an almost perfect combination of high quality, impressive reliability, and uncompromised robustness.

Cimier Bigmatic 16½ (front view)

Well, maybe that was precisely the reason behind the modification: perhaps, Cimier simply wanted to equip their new timepiece, which is limited to only 200 pieces, with an absolutely unique movement: huge like a Tiger tank and robust like a Rolls-Royce oldtimer.

If you haven’t guessed that already, I can explain to you the secret behind the name of the new timekeeper.

Although today we tend to give you dimensions of calibers in millimeters, there still exists a centuries-old tradition to describe a caliber’s diameter in ‘lignes’: a non-metric unit of length that was in use in France before the Revolution. Each ligne roughly converts to 2.25 millimeters. The Unitas 6497-1 ebauche, for example, has a size of 16.5 lignes (or 16.5”’.) Hence the part of the name: “16½.”

Cimier Bigmatic 16½ (transparent case back)

Presented in a relatively compact stainless black PVD steel case, the watch is only 43 millimeters in diameter and is just over 14 millimeters thick, which makes it a nice choice for those who want a watch with a sense of presence, but doesn’t want to wear something resembling a hockey puck with a fancy dial.

Speaking of the dial, I must admit that, despite its original layout, the face is one among the most legible jobs that I have recently seen.

The Matte black dial offers a perfect background for the satin-finished hour and minute hands, while the extra chapter ring in the inner part of the dial makes it easier to understand time in the military format.

Cimier Bigmatic 16½ (transparent case back, modified ETA Unitas 6497-1 caliber)

My only complaint here is the lack of luminous substance on the open-worked hands, which makes them unusable in darkness (or in an IMAX.) Otherwise, this is an interesting model and I can highly recommend it if the price is right for you.

See also: Cimier Petite Seconde Venom

WWR Verdict

Originality 4.5/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Overall Legibility: 4.5/5
Nighttime Legibility: 1/5
Value for Money: 4/5

Overall Rating: 4/5

Photos: Cimier

Cimier Bigmatic 16½ (ref. 6110-BP021) specification

Price: €4000
Movement: Automatic, ETA Unitas 6497-1, 36.60 mm in diameter, modified by Cimier, Swiss Made
Movement decoration: Oscillating weight branded and engraved, blued and polished screw heads
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Power reserve: 53 hours
Case: Stainless steel, black PVD
Shape: Round
Size: 43.00 mm
Case height: 14.30 mm
Dial: Black
Numerals: Arabic
Hour markers: Blue
Hands: Open-worked
Water resistance: 50 meters
Strap: Black natural leather strap
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Sapphire

Evgueni Matoussevitch

Yep, this is me. Just had my beard trimmed.

I am a founding father of this weblog since 2008.

Bought my first mechanical watch in 1986 and it took me ten more years to realize that I have a problem: at some point in time watches became my passion. Well, it could be worse.

 

Tagged With: 43 mm, 50 m, Cimier, ETA Unitas 6497

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