Introducing: The Ianos × Chronopassion Mihanikos

Collaborations embody a strong sense of partnership between brands and those passionate enough about the brands to assist in designing watches alongside them. Additionally, if a collaborator is also an authorized seller of the brand, execution is doubly important. The Ianos × Chronopassion Mihanikos is not your average brand/retailer collaboration, as we will see.

Pre-order surprise

There are many high-profile names in the world of horology. From collectors to retailers to brand owners, when certain names are involved, enthusiasts’ attention follows. As the founder of Chronopassion, a retailer established in 1988 and based on an enthusiasm for horology, Laurent Picciotto needs no introduction. When his name showed up on a pre-order for the Ianos Mihanikos diver released in 2021, Ianos took notice.

Looking at the brands that Chronopassion carries, each embodies a unique take on watch design. In this sense, a collaboration with Ianos makes perfect sense. When the Avyssos debuted in 2019, it was a unique take on how a dive watch functions. It drew inspiration from Greek sponge divers and harked back to an era long before modern dive technology. With a running seconds indicator inspired by the Antikythera mechanism and indices in the shape of ballast stones used by Greek divers, the ancient inspiration lends an archeological bent to this modern timepiece.

The Mihanikos, Ianos’s sophomore release, symbolizes the commercialization of the Greek sponge-diving industry in the late 1800s. It takes inspiration from the scaphandre diving suits that allowed for significantly longer bottom time (though with significant negative health effects). This release was the base from which this collaboration would take shape.

Ianos × Chronopassion Mihanikos

While the architecture of this Mihanikos edition is identical to the previous release, the goal was to present a more modern look. A cool gray tone was selected for the dial, with black hands filled with white lume and the familiar white hour markers. Working to capture a Parisian sense of style, the dial is monochromatic as both the running seconds mechanism and dial are the same tone of gray. Minimal dial text also leans into this aesthetic. The continued use of a white date disk for the date window at 12 o’clock remains a unique stylistic choice. The hollow marker at the topmost hour provides a nice contrast to the large white hour markers. A color-matched date wheel would complete the look, even if it reduced legibility.

The gray dial works quite well with the case architecture and finishing. This stainless steel case’s exterior is fully brushed. The bezel is bead blasted to the point it almost looks weathered and is rather wide working to visually reduce the dial aperture. The only marking on the bezel is a single lume pip. This monochromatic look is very on-trend and visually shrinks what is a larger watch at 43mm in diameter and just under 51mm from lug to lug. The case design features a mid-case band that also makes the 15.75mm thickness less noticeable.

The Greek groove

Despite the size of the case, this version of the Mihanikos also features the strap channel from previous Ianos releases. This is a 20mm groove in the middle of the case that allows the single-pass leather strap provided (or other similarly sized straps) to sit flush with the rest of the case back. This will alleviate any of the wobbling some of us experience with nylon straps running down a flat case back. The Mihanikos only measures 12.75mm to the base of the strap channel, making you wonder what this watch would look like with 3mm shaved from the bottom. Given the fixed spring bars, single-pass straps take advantage of the strap channel architecture best.

Final thoughts

Each year, it seems there is an “it” color in the watch industry. While we may not think of gray as a color but more of a blend of black and white, this blend is becoming increasingly popular. It makes sense, then, that a collaboration with a retailer located in Paris, a city known for its fashion, would yield a watch that both makes a bold statement with its presence but will not clash aesthetically with any ensemble. Thirty pieces in total, each numbered, will be delivered by September, while only 12 are for sale immediately. This model has a price of €2,900 and is available through Chronopassion. Much like the designs we see each season on the runway, the Ianos × Chronopassion Mihanikos will only stick around for a fleeting moment.