ReviewUp Close: Edox Chronorally Chronograph – A Timekeeper for F1 Racers

Edox was founded in 1884 in Les Genevez – in the heart of the Swiss Jura mountains. Over the last 125 years, Edox has achieved many milestones. It was the first to create a world timer watch. Edox created the slimmest watch ever made. It has been official timekeeper to the World Rally Championship, Dakar Rally, leading watersport and yachting events. It has served as timekeeper to multiple Formula One teams. The launch of the Chronorally collection was also an equally important milestone in its rich heritage.

An iconic watch with a 48 mm titanium case with a carbon fibre dial that is inspired from a chequered flag. It features a big date and retrograde day function, a tachymeter, beautiful hour marking indices and a special wheel caseback. Extended and oversized chronopushers allow usage with driving gloves. The rubber strap with tyre imprints is clearly inspired by cars. The watch is finished to perfection. Every aspect of the watch pays homage to motorsports and all auto enthusiasts will instantly fall in love with it.

A carbon fibre dial inspired by motorsport dashboards and speedometers

The dial of the Edox Chronorally takes inspiration from the dashboard of cars meant for racing. The carbon fibre dial, which represents the iconic chequered flag of the racing world, adds modernity to the watch. The top part of the dial, contains a crescent-shaped part which is not finished in carbon fibre. This prevents the carbon fibre dial from overwhelming the look of the watch and allows for the day function to be easy to read.

The placement of the days in the form of a retrograde function (displayed as a semi-circular arc) between the 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock window is very appropriate in terms of legibility. The big date window at 6 o’clock gives great depth to the watch and ensures that the watch doesn’t look like a simple printed dial. It really brings out the effort that the watchmakers put into making this watch. The inner part of the bezel houses a tachymeterwith red etched markings, which can be used to measure average speed. The watch features large indices which are filled with SuperLuminova. The hands are diamond cut which are also inspired by the speedometer of racing cars.

Extended Chrono pushers and detailed crown

The chronograph comes with an over-sized and unique chronopusher in red that gives the perfect grip to the rider, making it extremely easy for him to time his laps and keep a track of accurate intermediate timings. The size allows for the chronograph and crown to be used with gloves on. Many motorsport enthusiasts love to drive their cars with gloves on and this is a feature they would love. The red colour is inspired by the braking calipers which are common to supercars around the world. Only one of the two chronopushers is in red.

The crown is grooved and extremely well finished. The grooving also allows greater grip and ease of use. The logo of Edox, the hourglass, is marked on the crown.

The big date : big beauty

It is very easy to read time on this watch given its carbon fibre dial, applied silver indexes, a classic tachymeter scale and the beautiful big date. Providing the wearer with a significantly larger view of the date are two separate windows side by side with the left going from 0-3 and the right displaying 0-9 at the 6 o’clock marking. The inner part of the bezel which houses the tachymeter adds a certain depth and character, ensuring relief and better legibility.

48 mm titanium case made to withstand the toughest conditions

The new Edox Chronorally Chronograph is dedicated to rally drivers, true virtuosi of the tarmac and icy roads, and to all devotees of the automobile world. It features a 48 mm titanium case with a thickness of 15mm, that is tough enough to survive the harshest conditions: speed, mud, snow, shocks, and heat. The anti-reflective sapphire crystal protects the watch from scratches. The caseback takes its inspiration from the wheels of a Formula One car.

Rubber strap with tyre imprints

The more you look at the watch, the more apparent its inspiration from a Formula One car will become. The watch has an integrated rubber strap with markings that look like the treads of a Formula One car tyre. The pin-buckle fastens it well around the wrist.

Highest quality quartz movement

Edox believes in providing proven movements from the most reputable specialists. The chronograph houses the calibre 38 quartz which is based on the Ronda 8040.N. With a standard life of 48 months, the super quartz movement incorporates features such as 1/10 seconds up to 30 minutes, 30 minute counter, small seconds, add and split functions, day retrograde, and big date, making the Chronorally a powerhouse. A water resistance of 100 meters is an added advantage.

Official timekeeper for Formula 1 teams

Edox and motoracing have shared a ceaseless relationship ever since the launch of Chronorally. The fact that Edox is the official timekeeper for a leading Formula One team – Sauber F1, corroborates Edox’s association with motor racing even further. Formula One, the Sauber F1 Team and Edox in particular, stand for Swiss precision, cutting-edge technology, innovation, and history. Not only are crafts and timing two shared attributes that define both Edox and Sauber 1, but both companies have a tradition as family businesses in Switzerland and stand for efficiency, accuracy, high-tech, design, further development and continuing optimisation.