The watch itself makes an immediate impression, with an open dial revealing the beautifully finished chronograph works below. The movement, crafted by Pinaud, is hand wound, and features an integrated column wheel and horizontal clutch, which can be started, stopped, and rest all via the single button nestled discreetly within the crown at 3 o’clock. Turning the watch on its side reveals an exhibition window along the case wall, providing another unique view within the movement.
The dial plate is placed at the top portion of the dial, and is produced by Comblémine SA, the dial manufacturer owned by Kari Voutilainen. An hour and minute hand track time within this sub dial of sorts, while a large timing seconds hand is mounted at the dial’s center. The running seconds and an oversized 45 minute totalizer are placed below the centerline, rounding out the complication.
A large bridge underpinning the dial plays a strategic role here in shaping the focal point, creating a clean backdrop against which to find and read the time, while clearing enough space below to reveal the workings of the complication. It creates a clear division within the dial that sacrifices some added drama for the benefit of the practical nature of the watch as a whole. Truth be told, there’s still plenty of drama in the small details to enjoy, however, when compared to something like the Czapek Rattrapante chronograph, this collab exercises a welcome level of restraint.