Introducing The Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec In Blue And Gold

Chronoswiss' Limited Edition Open Gear ReSec In Blue And Gold is a bold take on a design rooted in classic watchmaking. This regulator timepiece evokes styling cues from past models, but now, it boasts a multi-dimensional blue dial with a variety of finishes. The main attraction is the retrograde seconds hand; it flows in a subdial in 30-second increments from four o'clock to eight o'clock before jumping back to the point of origin. Housed in a striking blue CVD-coated case with gold-plated lume-covered hands, this 50-piece limited edition is yet another progression in the very particular, yet classic spirit of Chronoswiss design. 

Founded in 1983, Chronoswiss served as one of the leaders of mechanical watchmaking and design in the wake of the quartz crisis. The brand's founder Gerd-Rüdiger Lang, a noted chronograph expert and master watchmaker, was known, among many things, for bringing the regulator out of antiquity and back into the wristwatch. While the brand may be under new ownership as of 2012, it still continues to combine classic mechanical watchmaking with a flair for design. 

For this new watch, the design inspiration of the dial harkens back to pocket watches from the 17th century. Once you look past the blue CVD-coated case, that becomes very clear: Each detail, from the traditional typography of the text to the Roman numeral hour markers and the simple minute plots, speaks to a more reserved and classic design heritage. This fusion of modern and traditional is certainly the norm for the brand. Even the use of the regulator layout, a mainstay for the brand, is something seldom seen on wristwatches and more at home on traditional wall clocks. The regulator layout itself is not known for quick time-telling capability. While taking an extra moment to tell the time, however, you will be able to take in the extra details of the dial, such as the gradient blue wave pattern and the skeletonized wheels of the movement behind the hour subdial.

As noted, the retrograde seconds hand snaps back every 30 seconds on the subdial located at six o'clock. This jump takes but a millisecond, and the watch itself boasts an accuracy of ±5 seconds per day from the Chronoswiss caliber C. 301 movement. The bridges holding the retrograde complication in place sport a sandblasted matte finish, chamfered edges, and polished surfaces. The electric blue 44mm CVD-coated case also features matte finishes, channeled sides, and a polished bezel and lugs. Topping off the classical design cues is the oversized onion crown. 

With the attention to design and detail, the watch gives up nothing in function. It features shock resistance and a generous application of Super-LumiNova. The watch is a confluence of modern design and classic watchmaking techniques that builds upon the existing design heritage of the brand itself.  This watch comes on a blue hand-sewn Hornback crocodile leather strap and is limited to 50 pieces.

Brand: Chronoswiss
Model: Open Gear ReSec
Reference Number: CH-6926-BLGO

Diameter: 44 mm
Thickness: 13.35 mm
Case Material: Stainless steel with blue CVD coating
Dial Color: Electric Blue
Indexes: Lume filled circular indexes
Lume: Super-LumiNova
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap/Bracelet: Hornback crocodile leather, hand-sewn

Caliber: Chronoswiss caliber C. 301
Functions: Off-centre hours at 12:00, central minutes, retrograde seconds at 6:00
Diameter: 36.50mm
Power Reserve: Approx. 42 hours
Winding: Automatic with stop seconds
Frequency: 4 Hz
Jewels: 33
Chronometer Certified: No
Additional Details: Skeletonized blue rotor with Côtes de Genève and ball bearing; polished pallet lever, escape wheel and screws; bridges and plates with perlage 

Price: CHF 9,900
Availability: Immediately
Limited Edition: Yes, 50 pieces

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