Introducing: The Chronoswiss Delphis Dracula, Horizon, And Dune
Chronoswiss is on a mission to revamp its lineup. Today’s Delphis watch trio marks the third new release in nearly four months. These three watches offer enameled and guilloché dials in cases made from gold or titanium. The brand also makes good use of its third in-house-designed movement, the C.6004.
Today’s Chronoswiss Delphis models are three special pieces with striking dials. They’re richly colored, but as we will see, these ornate models are meant to be worn. They have robust specs and come with rubber straps, but each is a display of detail and craftsmanship. I’ll begin with the common traits in the lineup and then briefly break down each model.
The latest Chronoswiss Delphis trio
These Chronoswiss Delphis models are 42mm × 14.5mm watches with a 100m water resistance rating. As mentioned, each variant comes with a rubber strap. Adding to the robustness, each has a sapphire crystal on the front and a screw-in, sapphire-equipped display back. As we’ll see, the three models use 18K red gold or titanium for the cases. Their shape resembles the classic Chronoswiss profile with vertical case flanks and ridged edges on the top and bottom. Furthermore, the familiar onion crown is round instead of the more recent interpretation. Just 50 of each model here will be produced.
The in-house-designed C.6004
Chronoswiss designed the C.6004 caliber inside these watches and relies on La Joux-Perret for manufacturing. Having debuted last year, the C.6004 is a 37-jewel automatic movement with 55 hours of power reserve. A variant of the calibers the brand uses in its other new models, it boasts attractive radial Côtes de Genève finishing and a ruthenium plating. In this rendition, the movement powers a digital hour display, retrograde minutes, and a small seconds sub-dial.
The Delphis Dracula
The word “Dracula” is hard to resist. I’m not a vampire junkie, but I love the story and the hold it has on fans more than a century after its original publication. Thankfully, Chronoswiss has stayed away from silly depictions of the Count on the Delphis. Instead, the brand has opted to focus on blood red and black, two colors that remind us of the villain. The watch uses an 18K red gold case with a dial boasting hand guilloché and red Grand Feu enameling. The artisanship is seen on the upper half of the dial and the sub-dial.
Another detail worth noting is that the base material underneath the handcrafted portions is also 18K red gold. Furthermore, Chronoswiss chose ceramic indexes along the edge of the retrograde minutes display. Gold-plated and skeletonized brass hands are used to show the minutes and seconds. The price for this Delphis Dracula is €41,800.
The Delphis Horizon
With its Grade 5 titanium case, the Horizon is the sportiest of the group. This model also brings together manual guilloché and Grand Feu enameling but, this time, in a sky-blue tone. Interestingly, the hour display is in black font on a white wheel, which provides a high level of contrast.
Despite the choice of titanium for the case, the Delphis Horizon also uses its share of gold material. Chronoswiss applies the guilloché and enamel to an 18K white gold base. The watch also uses white-gold-plated brass hands and retails for €21,800.
The Delphis Dune
Lastly, the Delphis Dune brings a highly distinct blend of colors. Here, an amber guilloché and enameled dial is paired with a Grade 5 titanium case. There’s a lot of contrast in this model, which continues with its 18K red gold base dial. It’s possible to see this as an outline around the top portion of the dial. Overall, this detail along with white-gold-plated hands creates a cool, wood-like combination that ranks as my favorite of the bunch. Like the Horizon, the Dune has a retail price of €21,800.
Final thoughts and availability
The Chronoswiss Delphis models are available now on the brand’s official site and at retailers. No, these watches are not inexpensive, but each brings a high level of craftsmanship, bold colors, and useability. Chronoswiss is on a roll with the releases we’ve seen in 2024, and I hope it pays off for the brand. When most companies are hunkering down and coming with dial variants, Chronoswiss deserves credit for doubling down with a new lineup. We’re excited to see what comes next!
