n the Open Gear ReSec, the retrograde second hand is the leading actor in the chronological play of time. Mounted on a hand-finished straight-grained bridge with polished edges, the second hand runs in a half-circle from four to eight. After thirty seconds it jumps back to begin again from four.

“This ‘jump back in time’ takes a millisecond, and the precision of the watch is well within ±5 seconds per day,” says Maik Panziera, Chronoswiss Head of Design, about the retrograde display – a truly hypnotic invention with roots stretching back to 17th-century pocket watches.

The elegantly gold-plated minute hand of the Open Gear ReSec circumnavigates the entirety of the 42-part dial. Its tip is extremely sharp, thus enabling you to see exactly what minute it is. Its matt finish resolutely contrasts the shiny hand-guillochéd dial made in Chronoswiss´ Lucerne atelier, which gives an extremely clear time reading. The dial is also encircled with hour indexes made of massive white cylinder-shaped blocks of Super-LumiNova®, ensuring the time is legible even in the darkest hours. Through the funnel-shaped hour subdial the wearer can also enjoy the mechanical ballet of open-gear horology with skeletonised wheels – truly an example of a modern mechanical timepiece.

Looking closer at the details, you will see finishing and engineering solutions on a level not usually found in watches in this price range. For instance, the bridges holding the retrograde complication in place have three different finishes: sandblasted matt, chamfered edges and polished surfaces. This attention for detail is also applied to the exterior: The electric blue CVD-coated 17-part case features matt, channelled sides and a shiny bezel and lugs. Even the bracelet pins holding the chunky hornback leather crocodile strap in place are more than meets the eye. They are held in place by cone-shaped screws that expand into the holes in a system which obviates the need for Loctite. This patented feature of ours is known as Autobloc. And when you pull out the generous onion crown, the stop-seconds system enables easy and exact time setting.

“A mix of new materials, old techniques and contemporary design – this is what it takes to be a modern mechanical brand,” says Chronoswiss CEO Oliver Ebstein.

Open Gear ReSec BLGO is made in a limited edition of 50 pieces.