The formerly German and now Swiss-based watchmaker has finally introduced a chronograph model into its Kairos range. The Chronoswiss Kairos Chronograph (ref. C7541-KR) sports all the goodies you can expect from the brand that deals only in highly exclusive, daringly-luxury timekeepers.
There is a heavily-, yet meticulously guilloched solid silver dial, Breguet-type blued hands that look like they were heat-treated, and, of course, the traditional onion-shaped setting crown that is here to operate a high-quality Swiss-made automatic movement.
Judging by the info that I was able to dig, the automatic Chronoswiss C7711 caliber is based on (or rather a redecorated version of) the time-proven ETA Valjoux 7750 blank caliber: a bullet-proof, natural-born chronograph movement that not only keeps good time when properly regulated and maintained but also makes the watch easier to resell when the time comes for it to go.
When most watchmakers usually limit their tinkering with base calibers to equipping them with branded rotors and, in some cases, treating the plates with rhodium, the German company goes a couple of steps further.
Besides a skeletonized and rhodium-plated oscillating weight with the usual Cotes de Geneve finish, the personalized movement also sports a circular-grained baseplate, as well as its bridges decorated with the same Cotes de Geneve motif.
Yes, the level of personalization may not be as extensive as with some other watchmaking brands, yet the final result looks convincing.
The rest of the technical specs remain the same: the movement is built on 25 jewels, beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph, and has a minimum power reserve of whole two days (48 hours.)
As usual, I actually like that the main technical specs are unchanged (although I have heard that the brand invests some time to properly regulate and fine-tune the mechanism in order to make it run better than the same mechanism that is installed in less expensive watches on the “as is” basis with maybe some basic quality control) since, being in production for literally decades, the mechanism has proven its work-horse reliability and doesn’t need any modifications to run better.
The timekeeper sports the standard (for the brand) rose gold body.
Only 42 millimeters in diameter and almost 15 millimeters thick, the case has rather long horns (if you have a narrow wrist, make sure to try one before ordering it online) that seem to be welded to the body and features a pair of nicely executed chronograph pushers as well as the signature onion-shaped crown.
The latter not only visually dominates, um, the landscape but also makes it easier to wind and set up the piece.
As for the dial, it doesn’t look like an example in legibility, but you can’t also call it cluttered: it is just a normal dial of a watch that caters to the needs of those who have always dreamed about a real Breguet, but never could afford one. Well, this watch will not be too cheap either: I highly doubt that it will sell below $15,000 USD.
See also: Louis Erard 1931 Chronometer Chronograph (79 220 OR 22)
WWR Verdict
Originality 3/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Overall Legibility: 4/5
Nighttime Legibility: 1/5
Value for Money: 3.5/5
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Photos: Chronoswiss
Chronoswiss Kairos Chronograph C7541-KR specification
Movement: Automatic, caliber C771, base ETA Valjoux 7750, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 25
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 48 hours
Movement decoration: Skeletonized and rhodium-plated rotor with Cotes de Geneve finish; plates are circular-grained; bridges with Cotes de Geneve motif
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, day of the week, date
Case: Rose gold, 18-karat
Shape: Round
Size: 42.00 mm
Case height: 14.70 mm
Dial: Silver, guilloched
Numerals: Arabic
Hour markers: Black
Hands: Blued steel, Breguet-type
Water resistance: 30 meters
Strap: Brown alligator leather strap
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Sapphire, antireflective