Chronoswiss Delphis
More on Chronoswiss Delphis
Chronoswiss Delphis
Chronoswiss watches are exceptionally unique and appeal to faithful timekeeping connoisseurs. The watchmaker is known for honoring traditional watchmaking techniques and for being the first innovator (and specialist) of regulator-style watches, inspired by their use in marine chronometers and broadcasting clocks due to the exceptional accuracy with which they could be read. The Delphis, a traditional timepiece and revolutionary regulator, is the epitome of the Chronoswiss identity.
About Chronoswiss Delphis Watches
The Delphis is a prominent collection from Chronoswiss that boasts a harmonic blend of traditional high-watchmaking and avant-garde design, uniting three contrasting display methods to tell the time in a legible format.
The current Delphis lineup crafted in its Atelier in Lucerne is a modern (2023) revival of the groundbreaking original; it is a true haute horlogerie limited timepiece that does not renounce its legacy.
The Chronoswiss Delphis time display is a rare and distinctive complication, featuring a jump hour (digital hour), retrograde minutes, and small (analog) seconds. Its animated dial is brought to life with a three-dimensional design, featuring handcrafted guilloche on curved gold or non-gold dials that are layered in vivid colored grand feu enamel or CVD coating, a visible anthracite baseplate, and beautiful skeletonized curved bridges that its minute retrograde hand and seconds hand rest on.
It comes in a traditional-inspired pilot-style case characteristic of Chronoswiss and its predecessor, with a coin-edge bezel and caseback, onion-styled crown, and welded-styled lugs with screwed bars.
Chronoswiss Delphis History
The Delphis was a creation of the late Gerd-Rudiger Lang, one of the first independent watchmakers and a veteran of the Heuer golden era pre-quartz crisis; he founded Chronoswiss in 1983.
Already famous for its regulator watches, the Delphis (also a regulator), launched in 1996, would become a significant model in its legacy of leading the mechanical watch revolution. It was the first to utilize three display forms; its unique jump hour, retrograde minutes, and small seconds format was nothing short of revolutionary.
The original featured a flat dial; the latest model, revived in 2023 for the brand's 40th anniversary under Oliver Ebstein's leadership, remains faithful to its traditional roots with the usage of handcrafted guilloche, grand feu enamel, and high-end materials, yet in its modern evolution, it displays the time in a three-dimensional format, comes in contemporary dial colors, has luminescent material, and is equipped with an in-house caliber.
How Much Do Chronoswiss Delphis Watches Cost?
| Model | Starting Price | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|
| Chronoswiss Delphis Oracle | $39,800 | 18K red gold case, Curved solid gold handcrafted guilloche dials in blue Grand Feu Enamel |
| Chronoswiss Delphis Paraiba | $16,700 | Steel Case, Color Changing (primary) dial transforming from the depths of the jungle to the clear Caribbean Sea. |
| Chronoswiss Delphis Venture | $16,700 | Zigzag Pattern handcrafted guilloche dials in black and small sub-dial in blue |
What's Unique About Chronoswiss Delphis Watches?
The Delphis is a traditional complication watch that is also sporty thanks to its water resistance of 100 meters and a rubber strap.
It has a unique regulator dial layout with three distinctly different systems to display the time. The top half of the dial displays the jump hour and retrograde minutes, and the bottom half displays analog seconds.
Its dial is special for offering traditional hand-finished engraving in contemporary color and for its avant-garde execution. Featuring hand-finished guilloche on curved surfaces layered with colored grand feu enamel or CVD coating, cylindrical lume plots, a three-dimensional architecture, and skeletonized bridges.
Chronoswiss is a low-production, haute-horlogerie independent brand that has preserved traditional hand-manufacturing techniques. Each of the three current Delphis models is limited to 50 units. If you're looking for equally stunning timepieces that are also limited, check out the Chronoswiss Space Timer collection.
Chronoswiss Delphis Movements
The Delphis collection is powered by one movement developed specifically for it, the in-house caliber C.6004, which operates at 4 Hz, has 37 jewels, and 55 hours of power reserve. It has a skeletonized tungsten rotor akin to the skeletonized bridges on its dial. The movement is also ruthenium-plated and features Cotes de Geneve decoration emanating from its center.
Chronoswiss Delphis Watch Colors
The Delphis collection comes in three distinctive color offerings. The application of color is differentiated by the case materials.
The Delphis Oracle in red gold features hand-guilloche curved gold dials applied with seven layers of blue grand feu enamel for the most lavish finish.
The Delphis Paraiba in steel is equipped with hand-guilloche curved dials with industrial CVD coatings in color-changing greenish blue (named in honor of the rare Brazilian stone) and black for its sub-seconds dial. The Delphis Venture (steel) has a different zigzag guilloche pattern and comes in a CVD-coated subtle black paired with a bright blue sub-seconds dial.
Chronoswiss Delphis Watch Materials
The Chronoswiss Delphis is offered in two different case materials. The Delphis Oracle is the singular model offered in 18k red gold, with a red gold case, dial, hands/dial accents, and clasp. The Delphis Paraiba and Delphis Venture come equipped with a steel case, dial, hands/dial accents, and clasp. All models are equipped with a sports-friendly rubber strap.
Chronoswiss Delphis Sizes
The Delphis collection, in its modern guise, has adopted a 42mm diameter size for its case; this makes its three display forms very legible for the time and accommodates its avant-garde three-dimensional dial. It has a thickness of 14.5 mm, and when paired with a rubber strap, it is versatile in its daily wearability.
Buying Chronoswiss Delphis Watches
Chronoswiss Delphis watches are available worldwide through its own website, boutiques, and authorized distributors. Exquisite Timepieces is an authorized retailer of Chronoswiss timepieces. You can discover and experience the Delphis at our Exquisite Timepieces watch store in Naples, Florida. You can also conveniently shop from your own home in our online store.
Caring for Your Chronoswiss Delphis Watch
The Delphis is a haute horlogerie watch with complicated mechanical functions that is achieved with a high degree of mechanical skill and craftsmanship. With the appropriate care, it is made to last an eternity.
A traditional mechanical watch such as the Delphis, with numerous interplaying components to tell the time accurately and beautifully, will naturally experience wear and tear over time and would require its caring owner to keep up with the Chronoswiss recommended service intervals of four to five years.
The Delphis has a water resistance of 100m, and Chronoswiss advises having its seals and case checked annually. Chronoswiss only recommends an authorized service partner to handle your watch at all times.
A Chronoswiss timepiece must be sent to its manufacture, service center, or authorized retailer/service partner for any service or damage-related care. As an authorized retailer of Chronoswiss timepieces, Exquisite Timepieces is recommended by the brand and fully resourced with the right expertise to maintain any Chronoswiss timepiece to the highest standards.
Chronoswiss Delphis FAQ
When was the Chronoswiss Delphis released?
The very first Delphis model was released in 1996, and for Chronoswiss's 40th anniversary in 2023, the iconic model was revived.
How do you tell the time on a Chronoswiss Delphis watch?
A regulator watch such as the Delphis tells the time legibly with three distinctively different systems working in harmony. The hour can be read via its jump hour window at twelve o'clock, which displays the hour in a 24-hour format. The top part of the dial comprises a 180-degree arc that its retrograde minutes hand rotates along to indicate the minutes. The bottom part of the dial has a sub-dial displaying the running seconds.
Find your new Chronoswiss Delphis watch with Exquisite Timepieces
When purchasing a Chronoswiss Delphis, it is important for you to be able to experience and discover the collection to ensure a perfect purchase. This will be possible through an authorized distributor selected by Chronoswiss to carry its entire range, maintain its high standards of service, and provide after-sales service.
Exquisite Timepieces is an authorized distributor of Chronoswiss watches. We offer a warranty on all purchases, and you can choose from our selection online or physically within our luxury watch boutique in Naples, Florida.
An online Chronoswiss order will come with free shipping and complete insurance coverage until it is delivered to you. In-store purchases will be accompanied by our professional staff, who will guide you to the right purchase and offer you a luxury experience.
