After 9 months of development and thousands of votes and comments from its community, CODE41 has created the NB24 chronograph.
Discussing the decision to go with this complication, those behind the brand say the function, which allows the user to measure relatively short time intervals, is one of the most complex movements in watchmaking.
The timekeeping mechanism is initiated and stopped using a button located on the right side of the case. There is also a second button for resetting the count to zero.
In this case the central hand, or second hand, is tied to the chronograph function. It allows the user to measure the seconds elapsed, while the regular second display is achieved through a so-called ‘small seconds’ counter on the dial.
The majority of chronograph watches also include one or two other counters: the first for minutes and the second for hours (or tenths of seconds on certain models).
For CODE41, the NB24 encapsulates the story of its ambassador, Nigel Bailly, and his dream of taking part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
When this young paraplegic driver shared with his passion and determination back in 2017, CODE41 was immediately drawn in and decided to accompany him on his adventure.
CODE41 has already integrated one into their X41 movement, but for their NB24 chronograph, the brand has gone even further by making it visible on the dial side.
The NB24 chronograph is available in 4 Aerocarbon versions and 4 grade 5 Titanium versions. High-tech materials that reflect the strong, technical character of the case and the dial. Each model is offered alongside a wide range of 20 interchangeable straps.
Titanium offers the comfortable advantage of being around twice as light as steel. For their NB24 chronograph, the brand has chosen grade 5 titanium. It’s more expensive than grade 2, but it offers twice the durability and finer detail in the finishing.
So-called ‘automatic’ mechanical movements are fitted with an oscillating weight that recharges the watch through wrist movements (no battery required). As it swings from left to right, the weight rewinds the mainspring, which stores the energy required for the mechanism to function correctly.
The peripheral weight is a real technical feat, nowadays mastered by only a handful of brands.
For a watch to be considered Swiss-made, at least 60% of its value must come from Switzerland, its movement must be Swiss, and it must be assembled in Switzerland.
The NB24 project has achieved almost 85%, and so comfortably exceeds the requirements. Such a large quantity of Swiss components is very rare. The NB24 watches will bear no mention of being Swiss-made, because CODE41 has been opposed to this misleading label since the very beginning.
Reflecting on price, which starts at $3480, Claudio D’Amore, founder and CEO, said: “The price is not the result of market positioning, but a direct reflection of the cost of production.”
80% of Cdoe41’s turnover is generated through project pre-orders. Production of a series is only launched if a minimum number of pieces are sold.
The brand says this approach offers 2 specific advantages:
- Cash-flow optimization: CODE41 only produces what has been pre-ordered, so there is no risk of unsold stock or money tied up in stock.
- Safeguarded production: the financing of the entirety of production is guaranteed in advance by their cash-flow, and separate from any profits.
With its TTO label (Total Transparency on Origin), CODE41 has put transparency at the heart of their approach.
It clearly explains the production costs and the mark-ups required for the project to be profitable, so that they can concentrate on creating high-quality mechanical watches.
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