Chronoswiss Delphis Platinum Retrograde Jump Hour CH1420

Chronoswiss largely fly under the radar, but pieces like this Delphis CH 1420 S show us that we're probably missing out on one of the best kept secrets in the horological world.

Born out of the quartz crisis, it was founded by master watchmaker Gerd-Rüdiger Lang, formerly of Heuer, with an aim to help revive the sector by focusing solely on mechanical watchmaking and complications. One of these complications is the regulator, and this is perhaps what they are best known for. 

The Delphis Jump Hour is perhaps this complication in it's most pure and aesthetically pleasing form, and is a real hidden gem from the neo-vintage era. Featuring a 38mm case crafted in platinum, it measures just 11mm thick with a lug-to-lug of 46.5mm, with signature coin edges for the bezel and bottom of the mid-case and screwbars for the Piccadilly-style lugs. While these cases are just phenomenal to wear, the real star of this show is the gorgeous dial. It features an abundance of guilloche in multiple forms, and is topped with magnificent pear-style blued hands. The way it catches and plays with light across all of its surfaces is endlessly captivating.

The movement powering it is based around the vintage Enicar 165 automatic, known here as the Chronoswiss C.124, with platinum rotor, atop of which sits a retrograde minutes complication with jump hour. We love a jump hour here at WV, but in combination with that heavily sprung feel of the retrograde minutes hand pouncing back to zero makes it feel very special. You can both feel, and hear it in action, and it is very satisfying indeed. 

This particular piece would date from the early-2000's and presents in TZ 'Near Mint' condition, with the it showing only very light marks on the case sides, and some swirlies and hairlines on the polished surfaces. There's a very small mark on the guilloche near 7 as well. Please see images for full condition details.

It comes mounted to a beautiful German made Fluco Canvas strap with platinum Chronoswiss pin buckle.

Was recently adjusted by Woods Watchmaking, with the Retrograde minutes reset, case back and bezel lubed to prevent galling, and regulation. All functions operating as they should.

Comes with outer box, inner box (missing cushion), CS Loupe, booklets, warranty paperwork (expired) and booklet holder.

These were limited to 99 pieces and rarely pop up on the secondary market. It is a phenomenal amount of watch for the money, and just beautiful on the wrist. 

Brand: Chronoswiss

Model #: CH1420 S

Style: Dress

Circa: 2000's

Case Material: Platinum

Case details: 38mm

Bracelet: Fluco Canvas, Chronoswiss Platinum Pin Buckle

Movement: Automatic C.124

Dial: Guilloche

Hands: Blued

Paraphernalia: Outer box, inner box (missing cushion), CS Loupe, booklets, warranty paperwork (expired) and booklet holder

TZ Grading: Near Mint