Horologii

Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Chocolate Limited Edition Review

For us luxury watch connoisseurs, Switzerland is best known as home to the world’s greatest watch manufacturers, but for most ordinary folk, it is more likely associated with holey cheese, the army knife, the iconic Matterhorn and of course, Swiss chocolate. Combining the mouth-watering appeal of Swiss chocolatiers with the quiet legend that is Swiss horology, Chronoswiss has launched their latest Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Limited Edition nicknamed the “Chocolate” for its smooth-as-chocolate dark brown case and chilli-red varnished dial.

With an aesthetic good enough to eat, the Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Chocolate Limited Edition is inspired by the artisanal dark chocolate considered a speciality in the watchmaker’s hometown of Lucerne, Switzerland. The unique hued scratch resistant PVD coated case is a gorgeous dark brown shade and is paired with a chilli and cranberry red coloured dial enhanced by the exposed train wheel bridges, gears and retrograde seconds. Alongside the purchase of every Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Chocolate, which is limited to only 50 pieces, every proud owner will be treated to a one-year exclusive chocolate subscription service from famed Lucerne confectioner Max Chocolatier.

While also inspired by the holiness of Swiss chocolate, the Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Chocolate Limited Edition has been carefully engineered to be worn with everyday denims. The grainy dial surface, which actually forms the mainplate of the movement, brings to life a casual and contemporary vibe that we can see pairing perfectly with a nice pair of jeans. The dial’s overall layout continues to follow suit to other Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec watches in the same collection with a striking triangular central minutes hand, a sweeping retrograde seconds complication and a skeletonised chapter ring.

Engineered from brown PVD coated stainless steel, the case of the Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Limited Edition measures to 44mm in diameter and 13.35mm in height serving as a statement piece that can still be easily hidden beneath the cuff of a shirt. The case is partly polished and partly vertical satin finished with an onion style crown, polished screw down bezel, anti-reflective treated sapphire crystal glass and a screw down case back detailed with flat sapphire crystal which provides a fascinating view of the innovative movement inside.

Considered one of the brand’s most complex movements, the C.301 automatic winding calibre powers the Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Chocolate Limited Edition and provides hours at 12 o’clock, central minutes and retrograde bottom seconds which jump every 30 seconds. While based on the ETA 2895, the Calibre C. 301 includes both an in-house regulator module and a retrograde seconds mechanism. It also promises a power reserve of 42 hours, a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, 33 jewels and a Côtes de Genève decoration on the openworked rotor.

The original objective of a regulator dial was to enhance the legibility of every complication in order to allow watchmakers to set each timepiece to the regulator’s standards. Chronoswiss ensure this further with the addition of lacquered “Trigono” shaped hands with Superluminova inlays and tips. To complete the chocolate-inspired and over-indulgent aesthetic, the Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Limited Edition is also fitted with a 22mm strap handsewn from dark brown calfskin leather and a brown PVD stainless steel deployment clasp.

Retailing at £8,500 and limited to only 50 pieces, the Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Chocolate Limited Edition is a must-have for any avid collector with a sweet tooth for fine craftsmanship and unique design. You can order your own on the Jura Watches website here alongside interest free finance and free delivery.

Specifications: Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Chocolate Limited Edition (CH-6927-REBK)

  • Case Size: 44mm
  • Case Material: Stainless steel with brown PVD coating
  • Bezel: Fixed
  • Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
  • Case Back: Screw down with flat sapphire crystal
  • Water Resistance: 100 metres
  • Movement: Caliber C.301 automatic
  • Functions: Hours at 12 o’clock, central minutes and retrograde seconds at 6 o’clock
  • Power Reserve: 42 hours
  • Jewels: 33
  • Frequency: 28,800vph
  • Dial: Red with Superluminova hands
  • Strap: Brown calfskin leather
  • Buckle: Deployment
  • RRP: £8,500
  • Limited Edition: 50 pieces