ArtyA Drops The New Luminity Wavy Micro-Rotor
ArtyA is one of those brands I’ve had on my radar for a while, but nothing ever quite spoke to me. The designs were bold, sure, but often felt more provocative than purposeful. Pieces like the Son of a Gun and Burning Spider always left a lot to be desired in my mind. I’ve never been one for the niche art-watch scene. But that’s not the case anymore. In the last few years, ArtyA has quietly evolved into something far more focused. The brand has found its footing through an impressive command of sapphire and nano-sapphire case construction paired with increasingly technical mechanical chops. The watch we’re looking at today, the new Luminity Wavy Micro-Rotor, feels like the culmination of that progress.
These new pieces are not powered by ArtyA’s in-house Purity movement. Instead, they run on a proprietary caliber co-developed with Télôs Watch SA, a name that should be familiar to fans of cutting-edge independent watchmaking. Add in the glut of case and material choices, along with a not-unreasonable price point, and this all amounts to a pretty tasty launch. Let’s dive in.
The case for sapphire is crystal clear
Let’s start with the case because that’s where the new Luminity Wavy truly makes an impression. You have two material options here — Grade 5 titanium or full sapphire. I prefer the sapphire version, not simply because it’s fancier or flashier but because of the shape. The Wavy case in sapphire looks sleeker, more fluid, and less bulbous than the titanium models. It somehow feels more in tune with the organic curves of the design. The titanium models are slightly more bubble-like in their proportions, with more visual heft, which won’t be for everyone. That said, there’s no denying that the titanium’s matte sandblasted finish, with a splash of polished edge work, still gives off a seriously modern vibe.
That contrast, the architectural edge on a soft, wavy form, is very ArtyA. The titanium also benefits from a DLC coating (with a choice of transparent or black) for scratch resistance, which gives it a hardness leap from standard 400 Vickers up to a very impressive 1,200. But for me, the case material of choice remains sapphire. Not only is it cool, but it also enhances the whole watch. The way it catches and bends light, letting the movement breathe inside it, elevates the entire experience. It’s an absolute nightmare for a photographer, but it’s a real spectacle in person. Of course, that extra appeal comes at a price. You’ll need CHF 37,900 to get your hands on the sapphire model with the sapphire dial. That’s more than double the cost of the entry-level titanium version. Still, if you’re chasing visual refinement and total transparency, it’s the one to go for.
What lies beneath the Luminity Wavy’s exterior
The main event is, of course, the new AMR-02 movement. This is ArtyA’s first proprietary micro-rotor caliber, and it shows real intent. It’s a slim automatic movement with a 3.6mm profile, twin barrels, and a tungsten micro-rotor for winding efficiency. The chronometer-certified caliber offers an impressive 82-hour power reserve thanks to its twin barrels running in parallel. Each one uses a longer, thinner mainspring, which helps deliver a more consistent and linear release of energy (torque) over time. That sort of refinement benefits performance and shows attention to detail in the engineering.
It helps that the AMR-02 also looks truly fantastic. Look at it! The layout is clean and architecturally modern without feeling too industrial. I know some people hate it when we describe elements of watches as “architectural,” but it’s the right word here. You get complete visibility through the transparent sapphire dial (if you choose that option over a colored one), with just enough layering to keep things interesting. In short, it’s a movement worth showing off, so I find the stone-dial options a bit of a curveball.
Don’t get me wrong, aventurine and meteorite are nice to see on a dial. In this instance, though, they feel like a distraction. You’ve got a brand-new caliber, purpose-built to be visible from the front, and then you partially obscure it? It’s a very subjective take, but I’d rather let the movement do the talking. That goes for the colored sapphire dials as well. If you’ve gone to the trouble of machining and finishing this level of transparency, I don’t want to be squinting through a tinted filter. The clear sapphire dial feels like the most honest and visually satisfying choice.
The Wavy case wears like a dream
Size-wise, the Wavy case comes in at a neatly balanced 40mm across and 13mm thick. On paper, that sounds average, but on the wrist, it feels more compact, almost like 39mm. I say this while not having tried on the new Luminity piece here, but I’ve tried the Purity “Stairway To Heaven” Wavy HMS in sapphire before, which appears to use the same case, and I can honestly say it wears wonderfully. There’s a softness to the curvature that helps it hug the wrist, and the full-sapphire construction makes it feel light but solid. It’s one of those watches that disappears in terms of weight but keeps reminding you it’s there every time it catches the light.
The sapphire models are rated water resistant to 30 meters, while the titanium ones are rated to 50 meters, which is fair given the materials involved. After all, this isn’t a tool watch. It’s a statement piece with a serious movement inside. The supplied nubuck strap and pin buckle complete the package nicely. No surprises and no weird, exotic choices. Just a simple, well-executed strap that doesn’t try to be overly clever or detract from the watch.
Where ArtyA goes from here after the Luminity Wavy
The ArtyA Luminity Wavy Micro-Rotor is limited to 99 pieces per reference, and it’s already clear that this probably won’t be the last time we see the AMR-02 movement. The brand has stated it will power more collections in the future, which makes sense. This is a movement with legs. The fact that it debuted in such a sculptural and transparent package only reinforces that idea. ArtyA isn’t playing it safe, but it’s no longer trying to provoke for the sake of it either.
What we see here is a brand refining its identity and flexing a different kind of muscle, one that combines expressive design with technical depth. And now it truly feels like the two sides are in balance. It’s no longer about shock value. It’s about execution. And for that reason alone, the Luminity Wavy Micro-Rotor might just be my favorite ArtyA release to date. To see the full range of case and dial combinations, visit the ArtyA website.
What do you think of these new watches? Let me know in the comments!
