SpotlightFlamin’ Hot: Chronoswiss Delphis Firestarter

One still remembers the sense of awe (and bated breath) watching the American superstar Rihanna on a suspended 60-feet illuminated platform during her 2023 halftime Super Bowl performance. The watch industry, however, had a field day trying to discern the bloody red timepiece she wore to match her red Loewe jumpsuit. Turns out it was the Jacob & Co Brilliant Skeleton Northern Lights watch. Yes, its 251-diamond encrusted bezel cast a surreal flair, but for connoisseurs the pièce de résistance of this watch was the red mineral crystal dial; opaque, see-through, and gave the inner skeletonised movement the appearance of being submerged in sweet jelly. Red watches evoking unabashed daredevilry are a rare find, and the Chronoswiss Delphis Firestarter qualifies in this league. Its hand-guilloché enamelled fan-shaped panel on the top half dial displays a red jelly-like texture akin to the Northern Lights edition. This latest Delphis also stands out for its new innovation—the fiery red case that Chronoswiss have christened as the ‘Titanium Core Nano Shell’.

Give Me Red: Delphis Firestarter

The Delphis Firestarter serenades with red and dark grey dual tones and slivers of titanium. Solely, appearance wise it looks like an evolved version of the Delphis Dracula timepiece, another red and grey watch, but cradled within an 18-karat red gold case. The Firestarter, on the other hand, features a 42.6mm bright red case that the brand has called Titanium Core Nano Shell. It features Grade 5 titanium as the base (core). This titanium base has been merged with an ultralight, yet hard 0.4mm coating, carved from one single solid block of high-performance composite. Overall, this 17-piece case is hand polished, protected by a fluted bezel and matching onion crown.

Matching this unique case is the Firestarter dial that carries forward signature timekeeping elements of the Delphis line. What stands out is the 3-D fan shaped panel on the upper dial. This 3-D element involves wavy hand-guilloché applied onto 18-karat white gold, further coated in five layers of red Grand Feu enamel. Along the periphery, runs a minutes’ track, interspersed with white numerals and red ceramic dots at 10-minute intervals, indicated by an aluminum skeletonised solitary central retrograde hand, which performs a retrograde motion from 60 to zero. In the true Delphis fashion, a tiny square aperture (below the conventional slot allotted to the 12 o’clock hour marker) indicates the digital hour in Arabic numeral/s. The round analog small second at six o’clock appears like an open umbrella/blazing warning sign, placed on the black matt textured surface and framed by two prominent bridges on the bottom half dial.

Chronoswiss Delphis Firestarter: Revolutionary Movement

The attached sapphire crystal on screwed and satin finished caseback offers unobstructed views of the skeletonised manufacture C. 6004 calibre. On display is the skeletonized tungsten rotor and ball bearing, three-spoke escape wheel, armature, polished screws along with a Geneva cut, ruthenium plated bridge. This movement promises upto 55 hours of power reserve, beats at 28,800vph and comes equipped with the Incabloc shock protection. A technical red rubber strap with patented autobloc system completes the timepiece.

The Chronoswiss Delphis Firestarter In A Nutshell

• Case: 17-piece solid Titanium Core Nano Shell case; 42.6mm; titanium core with polished bezel with side fluted decorative ring; fluted bezel and matching onion crown
• Functions and display: Wavy hand-guilloché applied onto 18-karat white gold; red Grand Feu enamel; Digital hour at 12 o’clock; aluminum skeletonised retrograde central minute hand; analog second at six o’clock
• Movement: Skeletonised manufacture C. 6004 calibre; upto 55 hours power reserve; 28,800vph; Incabloc shock protection
• Strap: Technical red rubber strap with patented autobloc system

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