Baselworld 2012 - Chronoswiss Report

[hotnerd]

I visited Chronoswiss on last day of Basel world and it is always a pleasure to meet Mr. Tobias Buchner, previously with Stowa, and discuss with him current watch trends and industry in general.

We discussed the sale of Chronoswiss to Ebstein family in Switzerland. Mr. Buchner explained that while headquarter will move to Nidau, CH, production will remain in Munich (Karlsfeld). Mr. Lang has retired, but he will continue to consult on product development.


Mr. Oliver Ebstein and Mr. Gerd-Rudiger Lang

Chronoswiss produces approximately 5,000 watches annually. It is a niche brand and will continue to remain the same.

New models for 2012

Sirius Automatic
This is a simple and elegant dress watch with date complication. This also happens to be Chronoswiss’s best selling watch in Basel. It has a massive 21-part SS case measuring 40mm and 7.9mm height; and the strap screws-on to the lugs with their patented “Autobloc” technology. The movement is a reworked ETA automatic movement.



The SS version was stunning and quiet slim. It wore well on the wrist despite the large crown. It is available end of July, 2012.

Balance Chronograph DLC
This was the most unique watch from Chronoswiss – where I could not decide if it was a sports watch due to DLC with splash of red color throughout, or if it was a classic chronograph with silver guilloche DLC dial and Breguet hands. I would call this watch a sporty-classic. Adding to the uniqueness is the retrograde seconds and date.



Balance DLC Chrono was originally made for Singapore F1 and now has become part of regular lineup.
Movement is reworked ETA Valjoux automatic, housed in a 42mm case with 14.8mm height. It is available end of June, 2012.


Pacific Blue
Blue dial watches are the trend for 2012 and Chronoswiss has got the right combination of blue dial and retro design. I love the domed and cut crystal with AR, ocean blue galvanized dial with sunburst pattern, and zephyr shaped superluminova hands. It comes with a dark blue leather strap.




Pacific Blue is available now and is reasonably priced. This watch is sure to a get a positive reaction when worn outdoors – the blue sunburst really comes alive.

Pacific Chronograph DLC

Pacific chronograph has been available for some time and in my opinion it is one of the best retro sports chronographs for the price. This year Chronoswiss has added DLC bezel and silver-plated dial to make it even sportier.



I think it comes down a personal preference if you like the contrast of DLC bezel with red seconds and counters hands, and red stems of the pushers. It comes with domed and cut crystal with AR coating. This Pacific Chrono variant will be available in mid-June.

Kairos Automatic

I remember lusting after this watch several years ago and associated this model as what defined Chronoswiss besides the regulateur. This year reinterpreted this classic watch by increasing the case diameter size by 2mm to 34mm for ladies and 40mm for men. The watch however went on a diet and became much slimmer – from 10.1mm to 8.4mm.



This was still remains a classic with blue breguet hands, sterling silver guilloche dial, massive onion crown, and reworked ETA movement with a ball bearing rotor. Kairos Auto will be available end of July, 2012.

Kairos Chronograph
Just as the Kairos Auto, chronograph version has increased in size and slimmed down (42mm and 15mm). Out of all the Chronoswiss beauties, this watch was the most impressive. The case size was right size, domed and cut crystal with AR, sterling silver guilloche dial with blue breguet hands.





Kairos chrono is available end of July, 2012. Movement is reworked ETA Valjoux and comes on a Louisiana croco strap.
If there is one negative, it would be the size of the massive crown. I know it also happens to be the trademark of Chronoswiss, but just for this model I wish they could reduce the crown size.

Timemaster Automatic

Timemaster is a polarizing watch – some people love it and others hate it. The metal dial covered in Superluminova and is extremely legible in dark. Variant in black dial has numbers and marker in C3 Superluminova.





This is a sports watch I’d like to go into a club with UV black lights
Timemaster case is 40mm with reworked ETA automatic movement. Its available in mid-June, 2012.

Cheers, Bhanu