Despite being Oracle in name, no one thought it was oracle in nature.
Known as the “Delphis Oracle,” Chronoswiss is bringing its icon back to life as part of its 40th birthday celebrations.
This time, it has been revived with jumping hours and retrograde minutes as part of a completely new development.
In celebrating 40 years of Chronoswiss in 2023, it is the first time the brand has taken the opportunity to reinvent one of its own models but sees the “Delphis Oracle” as the exception.
Reflecting on why now, Chronoswiss explained: “There is no better occasion than the brand’s milestone birthday, and the besides that, the old model held an immense amount of untapped potential, which Chronoswiss can now fully exploit with all its expertise and know-how.
“Therefore the “Delphis” returns in a completely redesigned version called “Oracle.” It is a limited edition of 50 pieces, but in the long run it will be the cornerstone of a new collection.”
The new Chronoswiss manufacture movement
From the original “Delphis,” Chronoswiss has preserved the double complication. First, a digital jumping hour displayed in a dedicated window at 12 o’clock and secondly, a retrograde minute indicated by a broad central hand sweeping across a 180-degree minute track.
The whole is complemented by an independent small second display, which occupies the lower part of the dial at 6 o’clock.
The movement that powers this composition is exclusive and has been newly developed, specifically for the new generation of the “Delphis”.
The former manufacture movement, was finally discarded in favor of this new Chronoswiss caliber, which is used here for the very first time.
The new movement is ruthenium plated and features a Geneva cut emanating from the center, which is a reminiscent of Chronoswiss’ well-known ray Guilloché.
Hand Guilloché & fire enamel on an 18ct curved gold crescent moon
The “Delphis Oracle” is where Chronoswiss unleashes all of its craftsmanship. It is the combination of the two atypical skills that have become the hallmark of the house that make the watch unique: Hand Guilloché and fire enamel.
Normally, dials are flat, which is already a challenge for the guillocheur while a curved surface presents a difficulty that very few can master.
In the upper part of the watch unfolds an 18 carat gold curved crescent made by the goldsmith. This is guilloched by hand and it is worth remembering that all Chronoswiss Guillochés are made entirely in-house and by hand.
The result is unique, as the Guilloché of the new Delphis Oracle also enters the third dimension. The art of Guilloché on 3-dimensional objects with the help of a machine that is over a hundred years old, is without a doubt extremely rare, especially since there has been no training for the profession of the guillocheur for almost 50 years.
The crescent is decorated with 7 layers of fire enamel – of course mastered in-house in the Atelier Lucerne as well.
Limited to 50 pieces, the “Delphis Oracle” is a watchmaking masterpiece and virtuously combines ancient artisan craftsmanship with state-of-the-art technology.
It is built by Masters and a worthy ambassador of the brand claim: Modern Mechanical.
Head to the Chronoswiss site HERE to find out more.
