Chronoswiss Delphis Art Deco: A Modern Take on a Classic Complication

The Chronoswiss Delphis collection, first introduced in 1996, has long been a canvas for the brand's innovative spirit. With the new Delphis Art Deco, the Lucerne-based manufacture pays homage to the geometric elegance of the 1920s while retaining the technical complexity that defines the line. This limited edition of 150 pieces showcases a refined palette and meticulous detailing that will appeal to collectors who appreciate both horological sophistication and artistic design.

A Legacy of Regulator Dials

Chronoswiss, under the stewardship of the Ebstein family, continues to honor the legacy of its founder, Gerd-Rüdiger Lang. Lang was a pioneer in adapting the regulator clock's precision-oriented dial layout to the wristwatch, creating a distinctive brand identity characterized by coin-edge bezels, onion crowns, and straight lugs. The Delphis collection evolves this classic regulator concept by incorporating jumping hours and retrograde minutes, offering a contemporary twist on a traditional display.

Art Deco Inspirations

The Art Deco movement, with its clean lines, symmetrical patterns, and bold color contrasts, provides the thematic foundation for this new model. The dial's surface is nickel-coated and laser-structured to create a subtle, grained texture that echoes the streamlined aesthetics of the era. The deep rectangular aperture at noon, engraved into the dial, hosts the jumping hours window, while the elegant arched minute track occupies the upper half of the dial. The minutes are indicated by a metallic blue PVD-coated aluminum hand that performs a decisive retrograde jump from 60 to zero at the top of each hour.

The gold-plated minute track, printed with black Art Deco-style numerals on a slim railway track, contrasts beautifully with the soft grey dial. A sweeping openworked, double-arched bridge divides the dial, adding a three-dimensional element. The small seconds counter at 6 o'clock is a standout feature, decorated in-house at the Atelier Lucerne using century-old guillochage machines. The hand-guilloché base is coated with a vibrant Art Deco Blue lacquer, and the counter's surface is printed with white Art Deco-inspired numerals, indicated by a smaller blue PVD-coated aluminum hand.

Notably, the small seconds counter is not flat; its base is slightly elevated, protruding from the dial to enhance the viewing angle. The Chronoswiss plaque at 6 o'clock, the frame around the small seconds counter, and the axes of the hands all share a warm golden color that harmonizes with the minute track.

Case and Movement

The case is crafted from Grade 5 titanium and comprises 17 parts, measuring 42mm in diameter and 14.4mm in height. It features the signature oversized striated onion crown and knurled decoration below the bezel and caseback. The lightweight case has a matte, slightly grained finish, and is fitted with double anti-reflective sapphire crystals on both front and back, ensuring water resistance to 100 meters.

Powering the Delphis Art Deco is the contemporary automatic caliber C. 6004, developed by La Joux-Perret. The movement features an openworked tungsten rotor shaped like the bridges on the dial, and ruthenium-plated components. It beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a power reserve of 55 hours. The movement is visible through the sapphire caseback, showcasing its modern finishing.

Availability and Pricing

The Chronoswiss Delphis Art Deco is paired with a soft black nubuck strap. It is a limited edition of 150 pieces, with a retail price of EUR 15,900. This model is a testament to Chronoswiss's ability to blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, making it a compelling choice for collectors seeking a distinctive timepiece.

Technical Specifications

• Case: 42mm diameter x 14.4mm thickness - 17-part case in Grade 5 titanium, matte grained finish - oversized onion crown - knurling below bezel and on caseback - sapphire crystal both sides - 100m water-resistant
• Dial: grey nickel-coated dial with laser-engraved surface - digital jumping hour display in aperture at noon - retrograde minutes display with gold-plated arched track in upper segment of dial with black Art Deco-style numerals and railway track, skeletonised blue PVD-coated retrograde minutes hand - small seconds sub-dial at 6 o'clock decorated with hand-guilloché and Art Deco Blue lacquer, skeletonised blue PVD-coated aluminium pointer hand
• Movement: Chronoswiss calibre C. 6004 (La Joux-Perret) - automatic - 37 jewels - Glucydur balance - Nivarox balance spring - Incabloc shock protection - 28,800vph - 55h power reserve
• Strap: black nubuck
• Reference: CH-1423TM.1-GRGO
• Availability: limited to 150 pieces
• Price: EUR 15,900