L&MR RAINHILL TRIALS

The L&MR Rainhill Trials collection by HVILINA takes its inspiration from a remarkable competition the world had never seen before – the first and only locomotive race in history. It reflects meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail, where every element forms a cohesive industrial composition. Drawing from the aesthetics of early locomotives, the collection transforms their legacy into a refined and expressive mechanical form. It is an ode to human boldness and creativity, to the engineering genius that changed the world.

At the heart of this design are two three-dimensional locomotive hands inspired by the legendary Rocket and Novelty engines, which competed in the Rainhill Trials of 1829. Measuring less than 4 mm in length, these intricately detailed metal miniatures are brought to life by a customized Swiss Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement, serving as functional hour and minute hands. They travel along three indication rings integrated into a complex skeletonized dial, connected by stylized depots and accented with industrial-inspired numerals, markers, and volumetric screws. Beneath this intricate composition, specially skeletonized movement plates and bridges reveal the mechanical architecture, uniting historical inspiration with technical ingenuity.

Beyond its distinctive design, the L&MR Rainhill Trials collection is built on a foundation of precision and mechanical ingenuity. It features a customized Swiss Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement with 26 jewels and a 41-hour power reserve, visible through a sapphire caseback. The industrial-style stainless steel case, sapphire crystals, and customized rotor echo the collection’s railway-inspired aesthetic. More than a timekeeping instrument, this collection is a tribute to the engineering vision that transformed transportation and reshaped the modern world, bringing a pivotal chapter of industrial history to life through contemporary mechanical watchmaking.