When it comes to pushing the boundaries of horology, few brands capture industrial artistry like OTSUKA LOTEC. The new № 9 Free Wheel Maillechort is more than a timepiece—it’s a mechanical sculpture that challenges the norms of classic luxury watchmaking. Crafted by Jiro Katayama, this avant-garde model embodies steampunk influences with a case design that appears to have been forged in a metal atelier—angular, industrial, and unapologetically bold.
At 44mm by 30mm, the stainless steel case features a sapphire crystal wrapping around the movement itself, offering dramatic side views of the intricate mechanics. The curved solid steel back makes the watch surprisingly ergonomic, while details like the top-left crown and hammer-like hour strike pusher lean into its machine-age aesthetic.
What sets this piece apart is its refusal to rely on traditional hands; instead, the time is displayed through two mechanical marvels—a jumping hour disc illuminated by a luminous block, and a retrograde minute disc powered by a hairspring, snapping back to zero each hour.
Beneath the sapphire, the Caliber SSGT movement runs the show with a tourbillon, seven-day power reserve, and even the world’s smallest 1.5mm ball bearing. However, perhaps the most striking element is the pipeline-shaped gong integrated into the case, which delivers a crisp, industrial chime as the hour advances.
Limited to just 50 pieces worldwide and priced at $108,000, the OTSUKA LOTEC № 9 is more a kinetic piece of wearable art than a watch—designed for collectors who thrive on exclusivity, mechanics, and raw visual impact.
For more horology news, see the Ulysse Nardin Freak X Crystalium.
