For 2013, Victorinox has produced a complicated version of their best-selling timepiece, the Chrono Classic. According to Alexander Bennouna, the CEO of the Victorinox Timepiece Division, the Chrono Classic 1/100th Perpetual Calendar is the result of a collaboration between movement manufacture Soprod and Victorinox. They worked closely together to produce a very cool technical piece.
“By simply pressing the crown twice, the classic watch turns into a chronograph accurate to 1/100th of a second. That simple gesture realigns the three central hands at 12 o’clock, while the date indicator at 6 o’clock becomes a counter at zero position. To start the chronograph, in the traditional manner, simply press the button at 2 o’clock. The red central hand then displays the seconds, while the others count out the minutes and hours. The same operation stops the time measurement—the 1/100th of a display is at 6 o’clock. A second pushbutton at 4 o’clock resets the chronograph.”
By double-clicking the crown you can switch back to the normal way of reading the time, even while the chronograph is running. The Swiss-made Soprod FM13D quartz movement functions include hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph (with numerically displayed 1/100th of a second), large date, and perpetual calendar.
It is available in four different variations: a dark grey dial and bezel with a Black Ice PVD coating on either a biologically tanned black leather strap or stainless-steel bracelet. Or with a champagne dial and bezel with gold PVD coating on either a biologically tanned brown leather strap or stainless-steel bracelet.
The Chrono Classic 1/100th Perpetual is presented in a 41 mm diameter stainless steel case with brushed and polished surfaces. The sapphire crystal features a special triple interior anti-reflective coating. The bezel is in brushed steel. The case back is solid. The water resistance is rated at 100 meters. Available Fall 2013. (Ref. 241616, 241618, 241617, 241619)