Chronoswiss Flying Grand Regulator Open Gear ReSec (Hands-On)

Founded in the 1980s, Chronoswiss made a name for itself with its regulator watches, with their characteristic separate time indications inspired by the master clocks of yesteryear. At Baselworld 2019, with the Flying Grand Regulator Open Gear ReSec (for retrograde seconds), Chronoswiss demonstrates that it still actively develops this signature display with a model boasting a distinctive identity.

As its name indicates, the specificity of the newest addition to the Chronoswiss regulator family is its retrograde seconds indication. The standout feature is the playful and captivating 6 o’clock seconds hand travelling on a 120° axle before flipping back to 0, every 30 seconds.

The regulator mechanism of this Chronoswiss Flying Grand Regulator Open Gear ReSec is put in the spotlight by the so-called “Open Gear” architecture: the train wheel bridges in charge of the off-centre hour display are skeletonised and screwed to the dial. The sense of depth is underscored by the hand-guilloché dial and the play of colours. At 3 o’clock, a cartouche bears the individual limited edition number xx/50. All in all, the dial is made of no fewer than 42 parts. The elongated triangle hands and the cylindrical hour markers are luminescent for optimal legibility in all conditions.

The Chronoswiss Flying Grand Regulator Open Gear ReSec comes with the brand’s signature round, cylinder-like case with an onion-shaped crown and side knurling. It measures a rather large 44mm in diameter with a thickness of 13.35mm. The straight lugs have been shortened for enhanced comfort. For now, it comes in steel, DLC-coated steel (in either black or blue) or 18k red gold. It is water-resistant to 100m.

Inside is the automatic Calibre C.301, based on the tried-and-tested ETA 2895 with a regulator and retrograde seconds mechanism fully developed in-house. It operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and its power reserve is of 42 hours. The exhibition caseback provides a view of the movement’s finishing (including perlage) and the openworked rotor.

The Chronoswiss Flying Grand Regulator Open Gear ReSec is secured to the wrist with a hand-sewn Hornback alligator leather strap with folding buckle. A steel bracelet is also available on request. The model is released in five different versions: a steel version with galvanic silver dial; two steel versions with black DLC coating and galvanic black dial (black/green and black/red); one steel version with an electric blue DLC coating and matching blue dial and strap; and one red gold version with a galvanic grey dial.

Prices for the Chronoswiss Flying Grand Regulator Open Gear ReSec start at CHF 9,150 in steel. For more information, please visit www.chronoswiss.com.