Chronoswiss Timemaster Handwound

Chronoswiss Timemaster Handwound is a wrist watch made by professionals for professionals, devised by technical experts and craftsmen for connoisseurs who take perfection as the measure of their own standards.

Thanks to its ingenious design and meticulous craftsmanship, the Timemaster is also suitable for withstanding extreme situations in sport, science and technology.

The size of its 22-piece ground brushed and polished stainless steel casing reflects a deliberate decision. The diameter of 44 mm provides space for one of the most reliable and robust manual winding mechanisms: the 161/2-line calibre Unitas 6497.

However, it has been cleverly modified by Chronoswiss and precision-finished with all the ingenuity of the master craftsman. For the first time in a history dating back more than 30 years, the opulent timepiece has a sweep-second , a wheel-fly stop and a swan-neck precision regulator for the index. It therefore bears the calibre designation C.672 at Chronoswiss.

The high-quality time-signal indicator, comprising a Glucydur screw-type wheel fly and self-compensating Nivarox I hairspring performs a cool 18,000 vibrations per hour. An “incabloc” shock absorber protects the sensitive pivots of the wheel-fly stem against breaking. Finally, the coil spring stores sufficient energy for almost two whole days.

The exterior must of course reflect this high standard of workmanship in every respect. Because Gerd-Rüdiger Lang is no friend of design experimentation, the casing design that has long been acknowledged as a classic has remained largely unchanged.

However, the exceptional dimensions, its water tightness to a depth of 100 metres, the extra-long turnip – which allows the spring to be wound even when wearing gloves – and above all the bezel with luminous zero mark are new features.

The latter feature can be used for instance for setting departure times, so that the Timemaster also doubles up as a straightforward stopwatch. And nobody need worry about the protruding crown getting damaged. The body of the tube is bolted to the casing, and can easily be replaced in the event of a problem.

Large observation watches with luminous faces are extremely popular amongst ardent collectors of timepieces. They were made in the 1930’s and 1940’s for submarine skippers or pilots enabling them to clearly tell the time if they needed to, even in the deepest, darkest hours.

Admittedly there was a major snag with these practical timepieces – the luminous compound boasted a high level of radioactivity, which is why these collector’s pieces are to be enjoyed with great caution today.

Owner of Chronoswiss, Gerd-Rüdiger Lang obviously has no intentions of exposing his customers to these kind of risks. Since there have been more and more calls for this type of face in spite of this, he has given the striking Timemaster a brand new look.

It lights up almost as brightly as its military predecessors, but without the slightest hint of radiation, as Chronoswiss uses the innovative Super-LumiNovaC3 luminous compound.

Compared to traditional zinc sulphide pigments, Super-LumiNova boasts night-time intensity up to a hundred times higher. If this material is exposed to strong sunlight or fluorescent light for a minimum of ten minutes, it will glow light green for a whole night long.

The novel wrist straps with quick clasp can be changed in an instant. Every new Timemaster is in any case supplied with two: a black crocodile strap with quick clasp, and an extended cowhide leather strap with quick clasp for professional use of the watch over an outfit. The face is protected by scratch-resistant, non-reflective sapphire glass.

The matt black metal face with large, luminous numbers and indexes Super-LumiNova C3 (no rays), in conjunction with striking luminous hands, assures optimum readability in virtually all conditions.

In addition to the professional strap, the watch comes complete with a box of spare parts, just like in the old days, containing all seals, wheel-fly and winding stem and coil spring. Because nobody knows what the future holds in store.

Finally, there is a certificate of guarantee signed by Gerd-Rüdiger Lang in green ink.

Technical details

Model: Chronoswiss Timemaster Handwound – Large wrist watch with sweep-second and wheel-fly stop. Professional wrist watch for all extreme sports, with almost 2 days reserve movement

References
CH 6233 bk
CH 6233 LE bk
CH 6233 lu
CH 6233 LE lu

Displays
Hour, minute and second

Case
Solid 22-part casing, stainless steel case ø 44.0 mm, height 12.3 mm ground brushed and polished, bezel with luminous marking, scratch-resistant, non-reflective sapphire glass, sapphire glass base with full thread, screw-on crown tube body, special shape for turning crown when wearing gloves, turnip, watertight to 100 metres (10atm), screw-on strap links, Autobloc patent

Movement
Hand-wound, Chronoswiss calibre C.672, basis ETA 6497-1, 18 jewels, Glucydur with screws and Nivarox flat hairspring, 16 1/2″, 18,000 vibrations per hour, individually numbered, Incabloc shock absorber, swan-neck precision regulator, almost 2 days’ reserve movement

Dials
Luminous metal face made from Super-LumiNova C3 metal with black numerals, black varnished metal hands, “modern” shape Or Matt black metal, face with Super-LumiNova C3 (no rays) luminous figures, metal hands with Super-LumiNova C3, “modern” shape

Straps
1 black crocodile leather strap with quick clasp, 1 extended cowhide leather strap for professional use over the outfit with quick clasp. Width of ends 22mm

Accessories
Spare parts box with:1 balance stem,1 winding stem, 1 coil spring, 3 gaskets for crown and tube, 1 gasket for back cover