Manometro ignited the mechanism that brought Giuliano Mazzuoli to the world of watchmaking. Subsequently, he was stimulated by memories of his past around the world of engines and automobile racing and designed “Contagiri,” inspired by the instrument that counts the revolutions of the engine (“contagiri” means tachometer or “rev” counter in Italian). His motor racing experience and the love that the designer has for the world of automobiles served as the primary inspiration for the Contagiri watch and putting one on their wrist allows the wearer to relive the emotions that only the equilibrium of mechanical perfection and aesthetic harmony present in a “rev” counter can provoke. It took several years of planning, prototyping, and international patents to create a jewel of time keeping. It was Mazzuoli’s biggest challenge in the world of watchmaking, and it remains his most complicated watch. Italian creativity and Swiss manufacturing know-how are combined in the Contagiri and it celebrates the world of auto racing through innovation and technological research. The “rev” counter has a symbiotic relationship with a race car driver and expresses an engine’s performance. This time it was a symbol of sport performance that inspired Giuliano Mazzuoli’s exclusive creation.
The essential lines and the simple graphics of the dial of the Contagiri create a revolutionary system to measure the hours and minutes. The watch has one hand that retrogrades after moving across an arc of 270° while pointing to numbers between 0 and 12 indicating the hour. On the side of the case is a stow-away lever that acts like a sort of “gear shift” that allows for the winding of the automatic movement and the setting of the time by turning the bezel.
Combining innovative technology with styling, Contagiri has a sporty personality that is emphasized by the choice of materials used. The first versions of Contagiri were in polished stainless steel and DLC (diamond-like-carbon). A totally black look in matte black DLC (diamond-like-carbon) was subsequently introduced.
Contagiri is the perfect watch for people who enjoy fine watchmaking and are looking for an original timepiece with a sought-after and essential design. It is for people who like to distinguish themselves without being flashy. Although not limited to any number, because of its complicated manufacturing process, every year an exclusive number of pieces of the watch are manufactured.
With the launch of Alfa Romeo’s limited edition 8C Competizione super car in 2007, Giuliano Mazzuoli dedicated a special version of his exclusive timepiece to the glorious sport tradition of Alfa Romeo calling it Contagiri 8C Competizione. The case of the watch comes in either an all-black version in matte black DLC or in polished stainless steel and DLC. The watch has a black dial that faithfully reflects the tachometer in the 8C Competizione. This version of Contagiri is limited to 500 pieces just like the limited edition series of the grand sports car. The watch back is inscribed with the same limited edition number of Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione cars.
