The Delbana Recordmaster Limited Edition 90th Anniversary

Swiss watch brand Delbana, whose headquarters are now situated in Lengnau and linked to Delma watches, is a family-run business that has dedicated the last 90 years to making luxury watches more affordable. The release of the new Delbana Recordmaster watch is an extension of this mission – a 90-limited-edition timepiece based on an original 1950s model with a vinyl-inspired hour track, luminous elements, a mechanical movement and a classic black leather strap.

Bringing back the Recordmaster

Delbana was founded in 1931 in Grenchen, Switzerland by an Italian who threw himself into learning about horological craftsmanship. His vision was to change the accessibility of a luxury timepiece, making them affordable and stylish without compromising on quality or reliability. One way to do this was to move with the times, so when the quartz movement was born, Delbana strengthened its values further, creating stylish wristwatches that utilised this new type of movement. When it merged with Delma in 2001, it relocated to Lengnau but remained family-run. 

Delbana first released the Recordmaster during the 1950s – a time when vinyl records were the main method of recording and transmitting sounds. Simultaneously the era also marked a successful time for Delbana watches, thus the new Recordmaster is an iteration that pays respect to both concepts whilst paying homage to the brand’s heritage. The watch was a tribute to the LP and its ability to bring the sounds of rock and roll into people’s homes. This new Limited Edition Recordmaster watch remains a true interpretation of the Long Play record, with features that recall the original.

An LP-inspired dial

The new Delbana Recordmaster celebrates a successful era for the Swiss watchmaker. Production was thriving during the 1950s and 1960s and sales were booming, just like the music industry during this time. Its dial comprises a series of stepped black microgrooves which create a contrasting backdrop against the applied Arabic numerals and arrow-head indexes that mark each hour. This unusual hour track echoes the grooved surface of an LP – the black concentric circles creating a three-dimensional effect. In addition to this, each hour location is accompanied by a luminous filled circular marker around the minute track. These markers are intended to remind the wearer of notes on a music sheet.

The Arabic hour markers are also retro-inspired, nodding to the 1950s style of the original Delbana Recordmaster. The centre of the dial is characterised by a silver guilloche effect, where cathedral-shaped hour and minute hands coated in mint green luminescent material are mounted, along with a vibrant red-coated central second hand. One noteworthy addition to the new Recordmaster watch is its date aperture that resides at the 3 o’clock location. The Delbana lettering at the top of the dial is vintage-inspired, recalling the style of the original classic.

The case and strap

The stainless steel case of the new Delbana Recordmaster watch spans a larger diameter than past models, measuring 40mm and features a transparent sapphire crystal glass exhibition caseback for watching its mechanical movement at work. The 50-meter water-resistant case is fully polished and equipped with a thin bezel, with lugs that lead to a classic black patent leather strap and traditional stainless steel pin buckle fastening. The case also features a ridged crown engraved with Delbana’s tower emblem.

The movement

Delbana’s new 90-piece Limited Edition watch is powered by the Sellita SW 200-1 self-winding movement, which provides a 38-hour power reserve. The reliable movement offers hours, minutes, seconds and date functions, performing at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. It recalls Delbana’s earlier timepieces from a period before the quartz movement and is put on show through a see-through caseback, complete with a customised rotor.

Availability & Price

The Delbana Recordmaster Limited Edition watch will be produced in 90 pieces. It is priced at CHF 750 or EUR 790 and comes complete inside a wooden presentation box. For more information and orders, please visit www.delbana.ch.