Chronoswiss Flying Grand Regulator Open Gear Retrograde Second

With the Flying Grand Regulator Open Gear Retrograde Second, ReSec for short, for the first time in its more than 35-year history, Chronoswiss presents a regulator timepiece in a striking 44mm case with an automatic movement.

The C.301 is an exceptional automatic calibre developed by Chronoswiss. The refined Open Gear construction makes the regulator mechanism a main design element.

It is put into the spotlight at the face of the dial, where the train wheel bridges in charge of the off-centre hour display were skilfully skeletonized and screwed firmly to the dial, which in turn becomes part of the movement. The eponymous retrograde seconds hand sweeps along the tracks of a 120 degree scale and every 30 seconds jumps back to the start in a trice.

So much technical sophistication demands taking a look at the exterior of the new arrival: the case reveals a dynamic touch and was specially redesigned by Chronoswiss.

The bezel is distinctly robust and, depending on the case finish, radiates a fascinating lustre. With its shortened horns, the timepiece sits comfortably on the wrist. The 42-piece dial is also worth a second look through the double-coated sapphire crystal.

Regardless of the intriguing play of colors, which make each variant something special, it impresses with its high level of sheer craftsmanship: the dial surface is elaborately hand-guillochéd for each individual timepiece in the series. This is administered with much love and skill on a historic rose-engine in the workshops of the House of Chronoswiss, Lucerne, thus creating an exceptional fusion of innovative design and traditional craftsmanship.

The hand-guillochéd dial means, however, that the Flying Grand Regulator Open Gear ReSec can be made only in a limited edition of 50 units worldwide. They all carry their individual limited series number on the dial. Other noteworthy features include the intense indexes that glow persistently in the dark, made of a mix of Super-LumiNova and ceramics, whose massive cylinder shape provides a perfect match for the 3-D design of the dial.

The hands in the shape of elongated triangles and also equipped with Super-LumiNova inlays ensuring optimal night readability, were specially designed by Chronoswiss. The rear of the Flying Grand Regulator Open Gear ReSec is also worth a second glance, as the beauty of the embellished movement can be admired through the sapphire crystal back.

Versatility determines the collection in all five versions. Particularly eye-catching is the model in blue, whose color is by no means limited to the dial, with its case being entirely “Electric Blue”. It derives its fascinating color through the coating with a high quality, extremely scratch-resistant DLC (diamond-like-carbon) finish with a hardness of 4,500 Vickers, also ensuring its irresistible lustre.

The components used for the complex dial construction are also coated with blue DLC, such as the skeletonized gear train bridges and the hour gauge funnel. And even at night, the blue color variation remains true, because all the fluorescent elements such as the inlays of hands and indices match the blue of the Super-LumiNova Blue Line. It’s no surprise that the bracelet also fits into the color scheme.

The versions with highlights in bright green or red are also colorful, standing out effectively from the black DLC case and the hand-guillochéd, black galvanized dial – and in the truest sense of the word, since all colored parts are further prominently highlighted on second and third levels. The stitching of the distinctive Hornback crocodile leather straps is bright green or red enhancing the particular accent.

There are finally two more variations both classical and yet contemporary. While the timepiece with a solid red gold case and elegant grey strap and dial is impressive, the alternative stainless steel case houses a galvanic silver dial with blue accents, taken up by the blue Hornback crocodile leather strap. This variant is also available with a steel bracelet on request.

Technical details

Model: Flying Grand Regulator Open Gear ReSec (Retrograde Second)

Reference Numbers
CH-6921R-GRSI 18-karat red gold, dial in galvanic grey
CH-6923-SIBL Stainless steel, dial in galvanic silver
CH-6925-BKGRE Stainless steel, DLC coating, dial in galvanic black, bright green highlights
CH-6925-BKRE Stainless steel, DLC coating, dial in galvanic black, red highlights
CH-6926-BLBL Stainless steel, blue DLC coating, blue dial

Displays
Off-centre hours at 12:00, central minutes, retrograde seconds at 6:00

Case
Solid 17-piece, red gold or stainless steel case, with satin finish and polished, bezel with partial knurling and curved, double coated antireflective sapphire crystal, screw-down case back with satin finish and sapphire crystal, onion crown, water resistance up to 10 bar, strap holders screwed down with patented Autobloc system
Measurements: Ø 44 mm, height 13.35 mm

Movement
Chronoswiss caliber C. 301, automatic, with stop seconds
Diameter: Ø 36.50 mm, impulse-angle 51°
Jewels: 33
Balance: Glucydur, three-legged
Balance spring: Nivarox 1
Fine Adjustment: Via Excenter
Shock protection: Incabloc
Frequency: 4 Hz., 28‘800 A/h (semi-oscillations)
Power reserve: Approx. 42 hours
Special features : Skeletonized and, depending on the respective style, either red goldor rhodium-plated, or green, red or blue rotor with Côtes de Genève and ball bearing; polished pallet lever, escape wheel and screws; bridges and plates with perlage

Dial
Elaborate 42-part construction on two levels: bottom level hand-guillochéd, upper level featuring screwed-on skeletonized train wheel bridges and funnel-like construction for hour display, as well as a retrograde seconds display and cylinder shape Super-LumiNova indexes

Hands
New “Trigono” shape, especially designed by Chronoswiss; thermally blued, red gold- or rhodium-plated and polished, or lacquered; with Super-LumiNova inlays and tips
Feuille shape; curved, rhodium-plated and diamond cut

Strap
Hornback crocodile leather, hand-sewn