Horological Meandering

Question for the experts here.
Does Chronoswiss use hand-guilloche or CNC for their dialwork?

I've been thinking about acquiring a Chronoswiss Delphis. This was one of the first watches that really drew me into this hobby. So, while I've now been collecting watches for a while, I never actually owned a Delphis before (or even any other Chronoswiss).

I think I'm ready to pull the trigger now on one of "my first loves". But want to check how their dials are made. Information online is a bit vague.

Incidentally, I also noticed that the Delphis is no longer made, so I'll have to hunt down a pre-owned piece now.

(Pic is not mine, so no offence to the actual owner).

Likely CNC. As CNC use a rotary tool/drill bit, the "valleys" formed will be rounded. Meanwhile, a rose-engine guilloche uses a physical hardened engraving/cutting tool which enables sharply defined, V shaped valleys

Regards,
Skyeriding

This is the best side view of the dial pic I could find (from the Sold archive of European Watch Company dot com). I hope they don't mind I use their pic to illustrate this comment.

What do you think?

And if so Chronoswiss would not miss to mention this marketing and quality aspect of this model.

I think you must be right but from the information online, Chronoswiss do seem to mention guilloche dials as their main distinguishing feature and seem to imply it's hand-guilloche, unless I am mistaken.

Chronoswiss' DNA lies in Regulatuer style dials, coin edge bezel, onion crown etc, so you are on the right track. At this price point, machine stamp guilloche is actually quite acceptable. Along my horological journey, in the early days, I bought a few ChronoSwiss, especially after reading a small green cover book ghostwritten by Gerd Lang and how he purportedly saved mechanical watches 😂 post quartz crisis. I still have a few of them, amongst them a early generation Enicar movement chrono and their first STT derived Tourbillon. If you buy into the Chronoswiss story, I humbly suggest you buy a Chronograph, which is Herr Lang's love and specialty.
Good luck and best,
Horo

Yes, I read the G Lang green book too ;-)
That was one of the very first watch-related books I read. It helped to get me hooked on horology.

When you suggest a Chrono, do you mean one of these OPUS ones?

They are now based in Lucerne since a few years - in easy walking distance from my home.

I am not really familiar with Chronswiss and I don't know anybody there, but I can go there and ask them. What I remember is that they display samples of guilloche and enamel dials in their shop window.

Best

Stefan

If you could verify with Chronoswiss directly that would be AMAZING.

Them having samples of guilloche and enamel in their window is exactly the sort of thing I am trying to clarify.
To me, that implies they are proud of doing guilloche - but is it hand guilloche or machine guilloche?

A direct answer would be very helpful.
Regards

End of next week should be possible.

Best

Stefan

I appreciate your help with this very much.
Looking forward to hearing what you find out.
Thanks

Dials of the artist collection are hand guilloche at their Lucerne atelier, but the dials of the regular collection are all stamped.
best
Stefan

I really appreciate the effort you took! Kind regards

I am not sure how the things are now, but I remember reading long time ago that  Deplpis was the only Chronoswiss model with hand guilloche dial. On the rest of the models the guilloche pattern was stamped.

Maybe hats where my confusion lies.
Delphis is the model I REALLY want.

The description for this model, for example, explicitly state "Solid sterling silver (925), guilloche and fire enameled by hand".
www.chronoswiss.com

The SS watches looks interesting. Quarter Repeater for low low price. Jumping Hour that is a tenth of a Zeitwerk. Petite Hour watch that is a rival for Bovat. Hmmmm.

The answer is yes and no.

Chronswiss has however an inhouse atelier for hand guilloche and enamel dials at their HQ in Lucerne -  see from the photos below. They use hand guilloche for their Artist collection, and you can order custom-made dials.

Regarding you specific question regarding the Delphis: obviously it is out of production, and the gentleman giving me a short tour of the Chronoswiss was not 100% sure whether at the time stamped or hand guilloche dials have bee used. I should get an answer by next week. He mentioned however that the retrograd mechanism of the Delphis is a bit sensible and they get quite a number of  Delphis back for servicing and repair. You might want to make sure that the watch got serviced recently when buying a Delphis or you keep in mind that you might have to send the watch for service after purchase.

Best

Stefan

"House of Chronoswiss" in Lucerne. It is housed in a previous Hotel , close to the Lion Monument , a major tourist attraction of the city.

The House of Chronoswiss brings the flagship store, the final assembly of the watches as well as the guilloche & enamel dial atelier together. On the upper floors  are offices and administration.

Another view of the assembly department. On a Saturday, it is quite and only one watchmaker is at work.

samples of hand guilloche and enamel dials

Hand guilloche machine from 1924, used for circular guilloche

Machine for vertical and horizontal guilloche patterns

Enamel atelier

custom made pieces

Thanks for the time and effort you invested. Looks interesting. Very decent prices for SS models.

What a great review of the brand and thank you for the tip about the Delphis.
Really appreciate the time and effort you invested in this!
HAGWE

Do not have a Chronoswiss but read this thread with interest. Really impressed with the support and guidance offered by everyone.

Absolutely! The kindness and dedication of the members here is wonderful.
This is a terrific community, isn't it!

At the moment I just have two - the "classic" regulator and the chronograph. I never bought a Delphis for the reason mentioned earlier - I am a bit wary of a movement feature that involves jumping components ... Regulator dial (also comes in black with white hands and dial markings)



The most accessible priced skeleton watch





This version is quite old. The watch was listed for sale, I was looking for a Chronoswiss, and this ad pulled me into the PuristS. It was ThomasM's watch...



This is a real enamel dial, on the Orea. This ladies model is a rare variant with red 12. My friend Jane wore this watch so long and hard that it was almost worn out - crown rounded off, strap wasted, crystal scratched up. 

No message body

My local watch shop was having an event and my saleslady told me Chronoswiss was bringing its founder over for a visit. Because he liked Jaguar cars, they wanted to impress him, and lined up a silver XK140.



NIce, but it blended in with the pavement color, so I arranged another 140 from my pal Steve.



We really stopped traffic that day

Thanks so much for sharing that story.
Cheers

PS That red Jag really is SOMETHING!!!

That skeleton Chrono is really something. Particularly YOUR one previously belonging to Thomas too.

Actually that model seems to be quite significant. I listened to an episode of the " On Time" podcast where the guest mentioned this particular model as an inspiration to get into learning how to skeletonise movements and experiment with guilloche.

Cheers
PS I really like the dial lntjat RGM. Will have to look up that model. New to me.

I didn't buy Thomas' watch ... but my wife knew that I loved the skeleton so she bought me a new one for my birthday no long afterwards.

I can't remember how I got the "beads of rice" bracelet, but this morning it's on the original strap.

Really a nice story of meeting Mr Lang and his daughter.

And the Jag's are phantastic!

Thanks fir sharing

Stefan

Not Chronoswiss-related, but I bought my first nice watch, a Rolex Sub, way back around 1991 from Leo Hamel Co.

Cheers,
John