Chronoswiss: All watches on board?
Even if it doesn’t seem that way at first glance, there are clear connections between cars and watches. Both are results of high standard technology and both have a long tradition, which allows them to evoke strong emotions and can inspire many people. Furthermore, each can be rich with intrinsic values, since the outer appearance is often heavily discussed. In addition, cars without clocks have to be called fossils nowadays. The trend towards the serial-auto-clock has only evolved since after the Second World War. It is then that electrical time measuring devices gradually received the reputation of becoming an indispensable part of functional dashboards.
Until then, the clocks in most of the serial four wheelers were timeless. As the dashboard clocks were still ticking correctly, only the manufacturers of luxury limousines pampered their clients with such accessories. Roadster freaks or normal users had to, if wanted, acquire their decorative cockpit accessory at the respective supply shop. But the creative clock industry supported the ticking enthusiasm of many automobile drivers. Already in 1911 the first chronometers existed for retrospective installation in the dashboard.
In the beginning oft the 1930s, the watchmakers were challenged by the fast moving development in the fields of aviation and auto sports and the media coverage running rampant on auto rallys and Grand-Prix races. The sensational victory of Tazio Nuvolaris at the Mille Migla with an average speed of 100.45 km per hour, the founding of Scuderia Ferrari in Mode in Modena and the discovery of the challenging city course in Monaco were all events which basically screamed for new board clocks. These had to serve the new conditions. At rallys for example, an important criteria for victory was the abidance to the time limits. For this an easy to read and precise stoppable second hand was needed.
As a result of these thoughts, a whole model range of different, many of shining chrome, auto clocks with chronographs, were invented. Sporty pilots were able to shop their exact moving road performances any time. At the present, all these early auto tickers are very popular and given a high value by fans of Oldtimers and watches/clocks. Chronoswiss owner Gerd-Rüdiger Lang, an enthusiastic roadster fan himself, knows of this dilemma. That is why he has decided to design a new dashboard clock set in the style of old times. It includes a “Boardtimer”, a precise time chronometer, which displays the day time and/or the individual driving time. Its exclusive caliber C.671 (Basis ETA 6497-1), 18 stones, finetuner for the regulator, shockproofed, has a stoppable central second hand.
In addition there is “Stoppmaster“, a functional fifth of a second stopwatch with a central 60-minute and decentral 12-hour-counter. The caliber used here is a C.951 (Basis Minerva 19/56, 7 stones, Swiss lever escapement) which allows stops to be added. The high value, each exclusively for Chronoswiss reserved, manual winding movements are built into compact aluminum cases with coated mineral glass. Both clocks have a rotating bezel with a reminder arrow, which makes it possible to set important future times or time of departure. A useful mounting plate is included in the delivery for the fixation in the cockpit. Black dials with distinctive tritium lit up numerals and metal hands ensure the most effective clearness of display during the ride.
As an official time keeper at sport tournaments and an ambitioned rally pilot himself, Gerd-R. Lang knows exactly what it takes in the competition. That is why the board clock set, which can also be separately purchased, can count as a result of a long respective experience. Even with the modern electronics of today, the decision to use conventional mechanics was clear for two reasons: first, because Gerd-R. Lang wanted to stay true to his self-chosen philosophy; and second, only passed down technology guarantees that these instruments will sometime be as valuable as the classics earlier epochs.