How much crossover is there really between fans of pop culture-defining franchises like Star Wars and Space Jam, and haute horlogerie enthusiasts? Well, there is certainly enough for Kross Studio to build their reputation making central tourbillons inspired by the aforementioned universes. Fresh off the back of a significant investment by Chanel’s watchmaking division, however, founder Marco Tedeschi is unveiling the roadmap for Kross Studio’s future, and one that widens the scope of potential customers, starting with the Tourbillon 7 Jours MT1.1. As a development of the existing MT1, the latest Tedeschi-branded piece is the first of 12 proprietary calibres that the manufacture is promising, all inspired by their original, patented central tourbillon.
What is it?
Defined by the now-signature round pebble case, the MT1.1 is available in a choice of three metals – titanium, tantalum, or 5N red gold, measuring 44mm in diameter all-round thanks to a lugless case. Don’t get too concerned about the 15.3mm thickness either, as a whopping 5mm of that is thanks to the super-domed sapphire crystal. Tedeschi recognised the importance of maintaining the uniform lines of the case, so the cut-out you see at 3 o’clock is actually a function selector that switches between winding and setting mode, while the crown is replaced by a ring on the caseback.
The manually wound tourbillon calibre is on full display from the front, engineered to deliver a skeletonised aesthetic that makes sure you don’t have to take the watch off to admire its intricate inner workings. Going from top to bottom, you’ll see the Marco Tedeschi branding that has moved to 12 o’clock compared to the off-centre positioning on the MT1 model, followed by the power reserve indicator which is a completely new addition. You’ll then move past the horizontally positioned silver gears of the motion works down to the main event, the flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock.
As Kross Studio is a well-equipped manufacture, the MT 7010 IRM that powers the Tourbillon 7 Jours is almost completely made in-house. There’s not much to see through the caseback, other than the zen garden-inspired engravings, given the design of the calibre is to be shown off dialside. As you may have guessed from the name, the calibre features a seven-day power reserve thanks to a large barrel positioned just below the power reserve indicator, with the winding set-up helping reduce the strain that such a strong mainspring would have on a regular crown stem.
First impressions
I usually try to be a little more methodic when introducing a new release to make sure you get all the basics and outline the individual components, but every once in a while, we’ll have elements informing the design of others, and think that’s very much the case here. The best way to describe the pop culture work Kross Studio has previously done is niche, though that doesn’t mean it’s not worthy of attention, but the Marco Tedeschi-branded watches to me represent the brand maturing and letting everyone know that they can still offer mechanical relevance without any gimmicks. Part of the reason why they’re able to do this, as well as introduce the exciting, 12-step roadmap that’s launching alongside the MT1.1 is that they can design and manufacture nearly everything themselves, to the point where they’re comfortable enough to offer their services to others. Even with the definition of in-house becoming flimsier by the day, that’s something that very few manufacturers can lay claim to.
As for the Tourbillon 7 Jours itself, it’s admittedly a fairly subtle development of the first Marco Tedeschi watch, though the changes the brand has made are sensible. For a manually winding watch with such a long power reserve, an indicator is a bit of a no-brainer, and I think it also helps balance the dial while giving more opportunity for well-finished surfaces. Speaking of the dial, the openworked nature of it does mean legibility is going to be affected despite Kross using a set of contrasting baton hands, but that’s not really the point with a watch like this, now is it? If anything, you’ll spend long enough staring at the finishing each time you take a glance at the dial that you’ll have a good chance figuring out what time it is, too.
My favourite part of the watch is without doubt the case. I’m yet to get any of the Tedeschi models on wrist – something that I’m hoping will change in the coming weeks – but from a design perspective, it solves a pet peeve of mine that too few brands get right. How many times have we seen a similarly round shape – be it a classic disco volante or something more space-age – interrupted by an awkward crown jutting out the side? I may be able to look past it at the entry-level with an off-the-shelf movement, but this is what we want to see from a manufacturer that gets to make their own decisions about movement design and function. Expect to see this one as part of our best-of-2026-so-far round-up come the end of April.
Kross Studio Marco Tedeschi Tourbillon 7 Jours MT1.1 pricing and full specifications
The MT1.1 by Kross Studio is available in three different materials – titanium, tantalum, and 5N gold – and is a standard-production model, with availability directly from the brand’s website. Price: CHF 69,900 (titanium), CHF 79,900 (tantalum), CHF 89,900 (18k 5N gold)
