Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Pre-Baselworld 2018 – Chronoswiss Flying Regulator Open Gear
Chronoswiss introduces a modern version of its Regulator and announces a new strategic partnership.
With certain brands, it is sometimes hard to define the DNA, the essence of their creations or what is the common theme linking the collections. With Chronoswiss on the other hand, this is rather easy. Indeed, the brand has a clear segmentation, as most of its watches are based on a regulator display. The latest model in the collection doesn’t derogate from the general rule. Please meet the Chronoswiss Flying Regulator Open Gear, a modern take on the brand’s codes.
The regulator watch is closely linked to the history of Chronoswiss, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Indeed, the regulator was the first stand-alone model in the history of Chronoswiss and in subsequent years, it quickly became the brand ́s central theme. This model is even celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Thus, no surprises that the team behind the brand wanted this original display to be at centre stage in their latest creation, as a preview for Baselworld 2018.
However, before moving to this new Chronoswiss Flying Regulator Open Gear, what exactly is a regulator display? A regulator is a watch that relies on non-coaxial hands, meaning the hour and minute hands are separated. Regulators have been created to be precision clocks, as time reference instrument used in watchmakers’ workshops, positioned so that it could be seen by all watchmakers, in order for them to regulate the watches. The idea was that, by splitting the indications, watchmakers had a clearer view on the most important indication in such operations: the minutes.
Chronoswiss has become one of the leaders in the use of such display, which is now the hallmark of their collections. For the Flying Regulator Open Gear, the brand wanted the mechanism that drives this display to be visible – it is otherwise hidden underneath the dial. Here, the series of gears that “splits” the time becomes a central design element of this watch. The dial is constructed with multiple layers and the lower part can be seen as a module board, onto which the train wheel bridges of the skeletonized gears are mounted. These move on four ruby bearings, generating the least possible friction.
The bridges that hold the wheels are finished with great care (polished angles and straight-grained flat surfaces) as well as being fixed to the dial by thermally blued screws. On top of the dial are two floating rings onto which the tracks for the seconds and minutes are printed. The regulator display of the Chronoswiss Flying Regulator Open Gear is powered by an automatic movement (most likely an ETA-based calibre). It is housed in a 41mm case with the brand’s signature design – cylinder-like case, partial knurling and curved bezel, curved lugs with screwed strap.
The Chronoswiss Flying Regulator Open Gear will be available in four variants. Three of them are presented in a steel case with a galvanic black, galvanic blue or galvanic silver dial. A fourth edition, with a galvanic silver dial, features an 18k red gold case. While the base movement is out-sourced, the 37 individual parts of the dial module are manufactured in “Atelier Lucerne”, Chronoswiss own facilities. Price for the Flying Regulator Open Gear will start at CHF 6,490 for the steel variants. – available in the webshop. For more information, please visit www.chronoswiss.com.
Industry News
Alongside the launch of this new piece, Chronoswiss also announced a new strategic partner, Mr Patrik Hoffmann. As the former CEO of Ulysse Nardin and longtime industry expert, he will provide insights and contacts to the brand and joins as a member of our international team.
