Regulating Time

It's a double celebration for Swiss watch manufacturer Chronoswiss this year. The brand turns 35 while its flagship Regulator model is throwing a 30th birthday party.

The Regulator line was launched in 1988 as the 'Regulateur' and has since been identified with Chronoswiss, which is marking the independent brand's 35-year history with the Flying Regulator Open Gear Anniversary Edition.

Chronoswiss' bestselling Regulator collection embodies precisely the key role it played on the walls of watchmakers in the late 19th century: setting the time and the reference point for accurate timekeeping.

You won't find the special edition indicated on the case-back of the Flying Regulator Open Gear, as you normally would with such anniversary timepieces. It's actually staring at you when you read the time on the front - the red 35 on the minute scale, which is short for 35th anniversary. More obvious is the tiny plate on the dial at 3 o'clock. This tells the watch is a limited edition of 35 pieces - and what number is the watch on your wrist.

The Flying Regular Open Gear's unusual design is a play on the Regulator theme, placing it front and centre with the 'Open Gear' design. The dial is at the same time its module board, onto which the train wheel bridges of the skeletonised gears are mounted.

The anniversary timepiece comes in a limited edition of 35 watches in stainless steel case and 35 watches in red gold. The 41mm case has a dial in silver colour and blue outer rings. The red gold model features a blue dial and silver outer rings.

To commemorate the Regulator's 30th anniversary is the Flying Grand Regulator Skeleton, a skeletonised watch with an elaborately constructed dial and deep insights. Limited to 30 pieces, the watch has a dial in galvanic silver held in a 44mm stainless steel case.

The HL Vagabonde model reflects Hautlence's philosophy which is to create new approaches to display time. Inspired by satellite systems, the time machine features four discs, set at different levels, that add volume to the dial. The dial provides a deep black background. The largest disc, made of sapphire decked out in Hautlence's signature honeycomb pattern, shows the minutes within a 240 degree sector. Spinning around this central point and speed across the dial are three smaller skeleton discs, open-worked to make the hour numerals visible once they come into the correct alignment. The font for the hours resemble digital numerals made mechanical.

The model, which features a titanium case in the shape of a TV screen, is available in two versions. The HL Vagabond 01, a classic monochrome version, showcases tones of grey, black and white. The HL Vagabond 02 is a more sporty and dynamic version in black and vibrant orange.

Elegant and colourful dials mark out three new EBEL Wave models which the brand has rolled out for women. Inspired by the minimalist trend, the watches are outfitted with a delicate touch of Scandinavian polygonal design in the dials. "The graphic pattern - pink, bright blue or silver - gives sophisticated texture to the dial tone, while the wave bracelet perfectly complements this geometric shape," the brand says.

Launched in 2014, the EBEL Wave is an evolutionary interpretation of the iconic EBEL Sport Classic. The collection today boasts nearly 40 models for the ladies and around 15 for men. The model is powered by a quartz movement nestled in a 30mm stainless steel case which is fitted on a wave link bracelet with an alternating brushed and polished finish and deployment clasp.

The watches are available at Cortina watch boutiques.