Chronoswiss Flying Grand Regulator Open Gear ReSec: Traditional Craftsmanship Meets Avantgarde Design

Chronoswiss has especially in recent years been a brand that unites the best of both worlds. On one side traditional craftsmanship is still a cornerstone of their DNA, but now they utilize this in a far more progressive way, cleverly playing into the trends of current times. The new Flying Grand Regulator Open Gear ReSec is a perfect example of this strategy.

With a diameter of 44mm is the Flying Grand Regulator Open Gear ReSec a bold and dynamic statement. Chronoswiss redesigned the case, showing a great variety of subtle details. It is fitted with short, angled lugs for increased wearing comfort. The strap that is attached to it is just as bold as the watch itself, as it is made from hornback crocodile. The leather of this hand-stitched strap is cut out of ridge of the crocodile, which is stronger and more pronounced than the other parts.

However, the case and strap of this Chronoswiss have to battle for attention with its stunning dial. With a remarkable three-dimensional design, it is made out of no less than 42 parts. The base is formed by the main dial which is hand-guilloched on a rose engine in the manufacture of Chronoswiss in the Swiss city of Luzern. On top of this, we find the regulator layout, with part of the gear train visible. Because Chronoswiss uses a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides, it seems like there is no crystal on top of the watch at all, making it look like you can touch the three-dimensional layout of the regulator dial.

While interesting enough by itself, Chronoswiss added another, very dynamic, ingredient; a retrograde seconds complication. Positioned on the lower side of the dial, a hand runs over a 30-second scale, jumping back at the end to its starting position to start its journey once more. It has a mesmerizing effect, especially above the guilloche dial.

Chronoswiss is offering the Retrograde Fusion in a few tempting varieties. While most people are familiar these days with black diamond-like-carbon (DLC), an extremely scratch resistant coating, Chronoswiss also has an electric blue version of this material in its collection. Because of its vibrant color, it is a very eye-catching watch, but for those who consider this too much of a good thing, does the brand also have one available in traditional black DLC.

Being a premium brand, Chronoswiss also loves to work with premium materials, which is evident from the 18k red gold version of the Flying Grand Regulator Open Gear ReSec. This material gives the watch a completely different look, precious and to some extent more traditional. A stainless steel version finishes off the balanced collection. Here a galvanic silver dial is combined with blue accents, giving it a bit of an industrial look, while at the same time effectively highlighting all the captivating details on the dial. Interesting to note is that this version is upon request also available with a stainless steel bracelet instead of the hornback crocodile leather strap.

Regardless of which Flying Grand Regulator Open Gear ReSec has your preference, they all offer the very well executed three-dimensional regulator dial with the added appeal of the retrograde second’s complication. While a bold statement with its 44mm large case and prominent onion crown, this Chronoswiss is cemented in tradition and craftsmanship, one of the reasons why this brand enjoys continuous popularity among collectors and connoisseurs worldwide.