Dust and smoke rise into the sky as gigantic mechanical beasts from all over the world collide in the Transformers’ universe, and Kross Studio’s latest creation, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Collector Set, arrives on the scene with a big bang to bring more power to your wrists. To mark the release of the new Transformers: Rise of the Beasts movie, the collection was unveiled at the Las Vegas Licensing Expo.
After introducing several action hero-inspired masterpieces such as the Batmobile clock and the Wonder Woman tourbillon watch, the Swiss manufacturers tapped all the power and creativity of the Transformers universe into this 10-piece limited collector’s set. The Transformers series has been an enormous hit since it started in the 1980s, enjoying unwavering fascination from the fans who are enthralled by the war between the Autobots and Decepticons. Inspired by the energy of the series, Kross Studio took the reins to spin these super cool robots and machines into wrist watches.
The design aesthetic and components of the watch go beyond the merely creative and mechanical, as it is powered by the in-house KS 7 ‘005 movement, an innovative and futuristic central floating tourbillon developed and patented by Kross Studio. The central floating tourbillon – also seen in Kross Studio’s first in-house branded watch – hovers just below the sapphire crystal dome, creating a floating impression. With the tourbillon and its fixed second wheel levitating above the movement and hands, the design reveals the brilliant engineering of the watch beneath it.
The level of detail transcends every creativity the design team has showcased so far, with the most distinguished materials including green SuperLuminova and lightweight grade 5 titanium. While you’re not watching the movie, the dial of the watch, bedecked with Inca murals, will remind you of the Maximals’ existence on Earth.
The time-setting pusher has the words “Time Set” inscribed in Cybertronix language and covered in Mechatron Green lacquer. The Autobots emblem graces the winding and time-setting D-ring key on the watch’s case back, surrounded by Inca images of the Maximals. With ample attention to both ergonomics and aesthetics, the timepiece has a D-ring winding and time-setting system located on the case back and the “Time Set” push button placed between 3 and 4 o’clock. The straps are also easily changeable thanks to the additional buttons located on the back of the watch.
This much is for the horological part, but the creative in-house crew at the Kross Studio never lets the cult collectors down. A treat for the Transformers’ avid fans, the watch comes with a functional sculpture dedicated to one of the significant characters of the movie, Maximal Airazor. It’s a polyresin sculpture, expertly sculpted by Kross Studio workers to be precise and lifelike.
In the movie, you see the Airazor artifact kept at the museum hide a precious secret for thousands of years; similarly, in this Kross Studio x Hasbro collector set, the Airazor artifact keeps the equally precious Kross Studio Transformers: Rise of the Beasts central tourbillon timepiece. But that is where the magic begins. Something you will expect from the Kross Studio design team is a mind-blowing mechanism to open the artifact. The watch only appears when you press down on the sculpture’s head, causing it to spread its wings and engage a lever system. The sculpture can close with the same pressure applied to the head. Thrilling, isn’t it?
