Weird Watch Wednesday: Chronoswiss Grand Opus DLC

This week’s piece provides not only a visual feast for the eyes but, unlike many of the other watches that feature in this category, it is also quite wearable. The latest evolution of the well-regarded Grand Opus chronograph series, created by Swiss watch maker Chronoswiss, this new piece effectively charters this traditionally conservative brand into new, darker territory.

Hence the name: Black Magic.

A New Look For An Old Favorite
Presented at this year’s Basel World, this new piece was an instant hit with us. For a start it looks sensational, with the selective use of color providing just the right level of contrast on the dial and ensuring that legibility isn’t sacrificed in the name of aesthetic appeal.

Well, as least as much as it is possible to do with a skeleton dial, the designs of which nearly always present issues with readability.

Still, if you are in the market for a skeleton dial you really cannot go past Chronoswiss when it comes to main-stream producers. They produce arguably some of the best skeleton dials available in the price range they compete in and this has been acknowledged previously with awards and the like. The attention to detail is impeccable and the finished result really is quite amazing.

The original Grand Opus in Rose Gold

Crossing Over To The Dark Side
In order to create and cross over to the “dark side” with these timepieces, Chronoswiss employed an innovative coating that goes by the name Dianoir®. Whilst this is a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, what sets the Black Magic apart is that unlike many other brands which simply use DLC coatings that are already commercially available, Chronoswiss invested in and developed its own original, patented process.

Using a pulsating ray of light, a plasma is created in a vacuum environment that is aimed at the substrate to be coated. Thus, a much higher amount of diamond is created that produces more than double the hardness of the coating, which you will really appreciate the first time you drop it.

Not only is the DLC casing incredibly robust, however, it is also very aesthetically pleasing both in the look and the feel. Moreover, it completely changes the appearance of this classic model, taking it from a vintage motor car to mean machine ready for action. It looks aggressive without being overpowering and provides a totally new perspective into the inside of the solid 39-part black case for the observer.

As you would expect the model still maintains the classic Chronoswiss characteristics, such as a fluted screw-down bezel, screw-down polished case back in addition to a solid metal ognion-style crown and screw-in lugs with patented Autobloc System. The hands are painted bright red and/or luminous white.

As a guide for pricing, the original Grand Opus Chronograph in red gold is available for $19,500, so I would expect this to come in at probably just a little under that.

The Final Word
Undeniably DLC coatings and black-out watches are in high-fashion at the moment in the luxury watch industry and so it comes as no surprise really that Chronoswiss have released this new Black Magic model. What really appeals to us, however, is how this coating has really changed the whole look and feel, and as a result the personality, of this previously classical timepiece.

The Black Magic is edgy and cool, whilst still retaining an exceptionally high-level of craftsmanship and finishing which you would expect in a much more expensive watch. It certainly won’t suit everyone’s tastes but we applaud the brand for making, what is for them, a bold move in a new direction.

Tags: Baselworld, black, Black Magic, Chronograph, Chronoswiss, DLC, Grand Opus, luxury, New, Swiss Made, watches, Wow Watch Wednesday

Category: New This Week, Wow Watch Wednesday