When you are not that much into watches, chances are big that you’ve never heard of Chronoswiss before. Chronoswiss is a relative small firm in München, Germany, lead by master watchmaker Gerd R. Lang. After working several years for the world renown Heuer factory, as a specialist for chronographs and stop watches, Gerd R. Lang started his own workshop in München. He specializes in chronographs and stopwatches and later on, he even writes a book on chronographs called ‘Chronograph Wristwatches: To Stop Time“. Amongst chronograph fans, this book is a standard work that belongs in their collection of watch books.
In 1983, Gerd Lang decides to start his own watch company by the name of Chronoswiss. A few years later, in 1987, Chronoswiss puts them selves on the horological map because of their Régulateur time piece. It is a mechanical handwound wristwatch (the Régulateur is still in production, using a mechanical automatic movement) and has a regulator dial, which means the seconds, minutes and hours all have their own (sub)dial, and all use their own pinion. This dial comes from the regulator clocks, that are being used to tell the time as accurately as possible, as the hands never ‘cross’ each other in such way, that the exact time can not be read.
In 2009, Chronoswiss introduces the Tachoscope Audi Centennial Edition, limited to 100 pieces world wide of which 35 in white gold and 65 pieces in platinum.The number 100 hasn’t been randomly chosen, it refers to the 100th birthday of Audi. I am not that familiar with Audi’s history, but I think the name Audi isn’t that old and is something that came from Auto Union. However, I think the average MotoringExposure reader is better informed on cars and their history then I am :).
The Chronoswiss Tachoscope Audi Centennial Edition is based on the dial of the Régulateur, except that it has an extra seconds hand for the chronograph functionality. The chronograph is being operated by one push button (monopulsante) located in the crown. Actually, this Audi edition is based on the regular Chronoswiss Chronoscope but has received an Audi make-over in terms of dial print (a bit more modern), less classic hands and the bezel of the Tachoscope Audi Centennial Edition is smooth instead of a decorative one.
Just like Chronoswiss’s Régulateur Automatique and Chronoscope, the Tachoscope has an automatic mechanical movement based on a vintage Enicar caliber 165 movement. The Chronoschope and Tachoscope (as opposed to the Régulateur) have a chronograph second-hand added to the movement and refer to this movement as being caliber C.125, just so you know.
The Tachoscope is fairly modest in size, having a 38mm diameter and a height of 11.8mm. Including the crown, this watch measures 42.8 in diameter. As you probably won’t impress other with the size of this watch, the watch probably does with its sophisticated looks and functionality. When you turn this watch around, the displayback will show you the skeletonised Audi-designed rotor, individually numbered and engraved with the years 1909 – 2009 as well as the Audi logo. Although the dial looks white on the photographs, it is actually sterling silver (marked 925). As written before, the case is either platinum or white gold.
The Chronoswiss Tachoscope Audi Centennial Edition is only available on a leather alligator strap with a folding clasp. Chronoswiss has some stainless steel (and gold) bracelets for their other models, but I wouldn’t bother looking at them. They will give the watch a whole different appearance and the watch will definitely loose the ‘sophisticated’ factor.
The white gold edition changes owner for €14,900 +/- $22K USD and the platinum model for €24,900 +/- $36K USD, consider these prices ‘list’ and negotiable.
Audi Chronoswiss Centennial Edition Watch
Pictures courtesy of Chronoswiss.
