Certified Pre-Owned

 From Chronoswiss -

Courtesy of Chronoswiss

Buying a pre-owned watch can be a crap-shoot. From pawn-shop to "purveyor of gently used timepieces", there is never the type of certainty that you might otherwise hope for. Which is really unfortunate because a lot of folks out there would love to own a fine watch, but perhaps don't have the money to plump for a brand new one, and would be quite happy with a pre-owned one if they could count on its authenticity and provenance - remember what happened to that famous watch authority and collector, John Mayer?

Chronoswiss has a great solution - Certified Pre-Owned.  Now unlike a few larger known outlets where they promise to correct it if it "isn't so", Chronoswiss actually makes sure it will be correct from the get-go. 

Your Certified Pre-Owned Chronoswiss will come from 2 primary sources:

1.  Watches from previous exhibits and trade shows (like BaselWorld, for example).  This is something that a few other brands have tried, and I think it is a positive idea. The watches are brought into the workshops, polished up, timing checked and corrected as needed.

2.  Watches that a customer might have traded in towards a new Chronoswiss.  

So for those of you out there like this humble social worker who would like to own a special watch and not go into massive debt to do so?  This is a wonderful option for you.

Courtesy of Chronoswiss

The Flying Regulator Open Gear Ocean

From Chronoswiss -

Courtesy of Chronoswiss

This is the second part of the latest release from Chronoswiss.  Limited to 35 pieces.

Here are the pertinents -

CH-8753-GREBK

Stainless steel, yellow and black dial, 

Limited to 35 timepieces
DISPLAYS:
Off-center hours at 12:00, central minutes, small seconds at 6:00

CASE:
Solid 16-piece, stainless steel case, with satin finish and polished, bezel with partial knurling and curved, non-reflecting 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:
41 mm, height 13.85 mm

MOVEMENT:
Chronoswiss caliber C. 299, automatic, with stop seconds
Diameter:
35.20 mm, impulse-angle 51°
Power reserve:
Approx. 42 hours
Special features:
Skeletonized and CVD coated green rotor, with Côtes de Genève and colimaçon, with ball bearing; polished pallet lever, escape wheel and screws; bridges and plates with colimaçon

DIAL:
Elaborate construction on two levels: bottom level hand-guillochéd, with green CVD coating, upper level featuring screwed-on skeletonized train wheel bridges and funnel-like constructions for hours and seconds display

HANDS:
“Trigono” shape; lacquered; with Super-LumiNova inlays and tips

STRAP:
Hornback crocodile leather, hand-sewn

The Open Gear ReSec Chocolate

From Chronoswiss -

Courtesy of Chronoswiss

Here are the pertinents -

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

Case: 
Solid 17-piece, stainless steel case with brown PVD coating, with satin finish; bezel sand blasted matte with partial knurling and curved, double coated anti-reflective 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 galvanic-black-plated, 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 red varnish, 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: 
“Trigono” shape, especially designed by Chronoswiss; lacquered grey; with Super-LumiNova inlays and tips

Strap: 
Calf leather, hand-sewn

A Sunday in Luzern and Basel

So life is, in measures, what you make of it.  Sunday morning found me heading to Basel from Luzern.  But, I suspect on some subconscious level, I was really looking for something beyond watches.  I stopped in the early morning to take this -

Swans in Luzern

And I hurried off to catch my train to Basel.  And as I got off the train I was informed by several people that I should take the tram instead of walking.  Now something you need to know about me - I LOVE trams!  But, born in Ohio - I refuse to avoid walking when it is possible.  But alas, I missed a few turns, got turned around, and all seemed lost.  But then, I looked at my Ochs und Junior Tinta Tintin and thought what Herge's character would have done... kept his head - Tintin would not have been punked! He would have taken a moment, asked directions, and made his way.

And so I enjoyed a half hour actually wandering the streets of Basel, somewhat misplaced - not quite lost

I stopped at a gas station and got some directions.  So I wandered - and I reveled!  And I found some new friends.  I had forgotten what it was that I loved about Switzerland.  And I thank, really thank my poor sense of direction for reminding me of this.  A wonderful place with surprises around every corner!

So I thank you Luzern, Basel - and in fact - thank you Switzerland for reminding you
about what makes you so special!
                
So after a day of meeting with the watchmaking elite, I was winding my way back to the train station and ran into this -

I had arrived early in the morning to see several bands of "pipers" and drummers lining up.  I had no real idea what it was all in aid of.  And when I was "released" from the halls at 5:00 - much more was clear to me.  It was a festival!  I sincerely hope that you watch fans can forgive me for the non-watch content.  But I must say - merci and thank you!  Thank you for reminding me of what is truly wonderful about your beautiful country, thank you for welcoming me.

Thank you