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“My life, Black ice” – First Look At The New Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Black Ice From Watches & Wonders 2021

“My life, Black ice" - First Look At The new Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Black Ice From Watches & Wonders 2021

“My life, Black ice” – First Look At The New Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Black Ice From Watches & Wonders 2021

Editor’s note: Like you, we are also excited for the releases from the Watches & Wonders 2021. Before we get to dive deep into the releases and go hands-on with as many of these as the two of us here can, here’s our preview of the new Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Black Ice. For our other detailed hands-on reviews, please head to our dedicated reviews section here

New Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Black Ice

Quick Preview

“My life, Black ice, My life, Black ice” belt out the Aussie band AC/DC. Chronoswiss presents a timepiece for those who wish to live their life, their way. 

Encased inside a blacked-out body is the new Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Black Ice whose nomenclature has been inspired by the above heavy-metal song (apparently designer Maik Panziera was listening to it while designing this 2021 novelty). The ref. CH-6925-BKBK is released alongside another colour-segue, the Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Paraiba, and given we have covered that recently in more detail, we will simply preview the differences of the Black Ice version. 

Chronoswiss Open Gear Resec Paraiba Ch 6923 Tubk

Unlike the Paraiba version where colour is king, the new Black Ice is dark and sombre, thanks to its black DLC coating stainless steel case and a black dial. But rather than simply present with a subdued black design, Chronoswiss has managed to create numerous optical effects by creatively using the DLC coating that is employed on the case and the polished screws securing the bridges.

Adding another ‘shade of black’ to the mix is this bridge that is sandblasted with a black galvanisation, and so is the rotor along with being skeletonised and adorned with Côtes de Genève. This galvanising process lends the timepiece a pearly lustre that under changing light conditions should reflect different subtle shades of black. 

New Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Black Ice

Basic Specifications 

ReSec stands for retrograde seconds. The dial layout with separated hours, minutes and 120-degree retrograde seconds is typically Chronoswiss. 

The new Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Black Ice is limited to 50-pieces only and is presented in a solid 17-piece stainless steel DLC-coated case with a satin finish that contrasts against the sandblasted matt bezel with partial knurling. The case is topped by a curved and double-coated anti-reflective sapphire crystal. The timepiece has a decent water resistance of 100m (10 ATM) that is guaranteed by a display screw-down case back. 

It features the caliber C. 301 with stop seconds that comprises 33 jewels, beats at the frequency of 4Hz Hz, and offers a 42-hour power reserve. The 36.5mm diameter movement features a three-legged Glucydur balance, Incabloc shock absorbers, and while the base may be ETA 2895, but it is worthwhile to note that the regulator and retrograde seconds mechanism have been fully developed in-house. The calibre is encased inside a 44mm diameter and 13.35mm thick case.

New Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Black Ice

That’s All Folks! 

Just like the Paraiba, the elaborate 42-part dial like we said is what makes this release special. The bottom level is galvanic black, and the upper level while the same colour features screwed-on skeletonized train wheel bridges and a funnel-like construction for hour display, as well as a retrograde seconds display and cylinder and block-shaped Super-LumiNova indexes. The dial also features the brand’s self-designed  “Trigono” shaped lacquered grey hands with Super-LumiNova inlay and tips. 

Chronoswiss head of design Maik Panziera describes this succinctly: “This watch is like fifty shades of black, and the different blacks really contrast each other thanks to the different structures, finishes and coatings. Some surfaces are much darker than others; despite the monochrome palette they almost appear like different colours.”

For anyone who is a fan of blacked-out watches, retro-grade style dials, and appreciates the work put in by independents such as Chronoswiss, the new Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Black Ice is one excellent addition for their collection that continues the high standards set by the brand’s previous offerings such as the stunning Open Gear ReSec LE in Blue and Gold.

New Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Black Ice

To find out more about the new Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Black Ice and other Chronoswiss watches, please head to their website here. All images unless otherwise specified are ©CHRONOSWISS. Make sure to check out our reviews of other Watches & Wonders 2021 releases here.

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