Carl Suchy & Sohne Belvedere Midnight

The world of horology is brimming with renowned watchmakers, each with their own distinctive heritage and design ethos. Carl Suchy & Söhne, a name synonymous with Viennese watchmaking excellence, has been crafting exquisite timepieces for over 130 years. The brand's rich history is deeply embedded in the cultural tapestry of Vienna, and their meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality shine through in every creation.

In 2023, Carl Suchy & Söhne unveiled the Belvedere Collection, marking a new chapter in the brand's narrative. The collection embodied a captivating duality – a fusion of modern functionality and elegance on the exterior, interwoven with the essence of Vienna's cultural heritage. This year, the Belvedere story takes another exciting turn with the introduction of the Belvedere Midnight.



Carl Suchy & Söhne's story began in 1886 when its namesake, Carl Suchy, established a watchmaker's workshop in the heart of Vienna. Suchy, a true pioneer, possessed a relentless passion for watchmaking and a keen eye for detail. His dedication quickly garnered recognition, and the company flourished, establishing itself as a purveyor of timekeeping instruments for the Austrian aristocracy.

Throughout the 20th century, Carl Suchy & Söhne weathered the storms of war and economic hardship. Despite these challenges, the company remained steadfast in its commitment to quality and innovation. In 1904, they achieved a significant milestone by securing the title of "k.u.k Hofuhrmacher" (Imperial and Royal Court Watchmaker) to the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph I. This prestigious appointment solidified Carl Suchy & Söhne's position at the forefront of Viennese watchmaking.

After World War II, the company faced a period of reconstruction. However, the Suchy family spirit of perseverance prevailed. In 1957, Hubert Suchy, Carl's grandson, revived the brand, ushering in a new era of creativity and acclaim. Today, Carl Suchy & Söhne continues to honor its heritage while embracing contemporary design sensibilities.

The Belvedere Collection: A Symphony of Modernity and Tradition

The Belvedere Collection, launched in 2023, marked a significant turning point for Carl Suchy & Söhne. The brainchild of the brand's current owner, Monika Suchy, the collection drew inspiration from Vienna's famed Belvedere Palace, a baroque masterpiece that embodies the city's artistic and cultural grandeur.



The Belvedere timepieces captured the essence of the palace's architectural splendor through their refined forms and meticulous craftsmanship. Each watch in the collection seamlessly blended modern functionality with a touch of Viennese flair. The Belvedere Collection proved to be a resounding success, solidifying Carl Suchy & Söhne's reputation as a watchmaker that expertly bridges the gap between tradition and contemporary watchmaking.

The Belvedere Midnight, the newest addition to the collection, is a testament to Carl Suchy & Söhne's unwavering dedication to innovative design and exceptional quality. The watch's captivating aura is evident at first glance. The image depicts a timepiece with a bold and sophisticated presence. The deep black color scheme, achieved with a resilient DLC coating, exudes a sense of understated luxury.

The watch's fluted bezel, a characteristic element of the Belvedere Collection, adds a touch of textural intrigue. A closer look reveals a meticulously crafted dial, its lacquered finish providing a perfect canvas for the watch's other captivating features. The concave rhodium-plated indexes, filled with SuperLumiNova for enhanced legibility in low-light conditions, stand out with a subtle brilliance.

The watch hands, another notable design element, deserve special mention. The skeletonized dauphine hands, rhodium-plated and also filled with SuperLumiNova, offer a sophisticated interplay of light and shadow. The inclusion of a golden second hand adds a touch of warmth and vibrancy to the overall composition.



The heart of any mechanical watch is its movement, and the Belvedere Midnight houses a movement of exceptional quality. Collaborating with renowned Swiss master watchmaker Marc Jenni, Carl Suchy & Söhne developed the CSS201 automatic movement, based on the Dubois Dépraz DD90000, exclusively for the Belvedere Collection.

Known for its reliability and precision, the CSS201 beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), ensuring smooth and accurate timekeeping. It boasts a power reserve of 42 hours, meaning that even if the watch is not worn for a day or two, it will continue to keep time reliably.

However, the movement's true beauty lies in its intricate details. A transparent exhibition case-back offers a mesmerizing view of this mechanical wonder in action. The gold-plated oscillating weight, adorned with a micro-engraving of Vienna's iconic Belvedere Palace, rotates smoothly with each movement of the wrist, winding the watch automatically. The attention to detail and the celebration of Viennese heritage through this embellishment is a testament to Carl Suchy & Söhne's commitment to both form and function.

One of the most distinctive features of the Belvedere Collection is its unique date display. Instead of a traditional date window or sub-dial, the Belvedere Midnight showcases a moving date window that advances day by day. This design element not only guarantees excellent legibility but also creates a sense of dynamism on the dial. The moving date window evokes a subtle but mesmerizing playfulness, reminiscent of the dynamic seconds disk incorporated into the Waltz N°1 from Carl Suchy & Söhne.



The Belvedere Midnight embodies a harmonious blend of materials and masterful finishing techniques. The 40.8mm case is crafted from black steel treated with a Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating. This coating provides unparalleled scratch resistance and gives the watch its deep, lustrous black finish. The use of DLC underscores the Belvedere Midnight's subtle sporty spirit, making it a watch equally suited for discerning gentlemen and adventurous spirits.

The domed sapphire crystal, known for its superior scratch resistance and clarity, adds a touch of refinement while protecting the watch's intricate dial. The screw-down crown, adorned with the Suchy guilloché pattern, ensures water resistance up to 100 meters (10 ATM), making the Belvedere Midnight not only a visually stunning timepiece but also a practical companion for everyday wear.

True to the spirit of the Belvedere Collection, the Belvedere Midnight incorporates subtle design elements that pay homage to its Viennese roots. The gold-plated oscillating weight with its intricate micro-engraving of Belvedere Palace has already been mentioned, offering a mesmerizing view of this architectural landmark. However, the celebration of Vienna extends even further.

The integrated rubber strap features a surprise – a micro-engraved pattern of the Belvedere Garden, offering a hidden layer of detail that is both luxurious and playful. This embossing, while unseen most of the time, speaks to the exceptional level of craftsmanship and the brand's dedication to delighting its wearers with thoughtful details.



The Carl Suchy & Söhne Belvedere Midnight isn't just a watch; it's a testament to a legacy of watchmaking excellence that spans over 130 years. Each timepiece comes with its own engraved serial number, making it truly unique. The watch comes beautifully packaged in a high-quality velvet box, handcrafted in Vienna, accompanied by a genuine leather travel case – luxurious accoutrements that further enhance its desirability as a collector's item.

The Belvedere Midnight exemplifies Carl Suchy & Söhne's unwavering dedication to quality, refinement, and innovation. It's a testament to the brand's ability to honor its rich heritage while embracing contemporary design sensibilities. It's a watch for those who appreciate meticulous craftsmanship, understated luxury, and the allure of owning a piece of Viennese horological history.