by Elizabeth Doerr

Chronographs are a hot topic right now in the watch industry, and justifiably: this timer constitutes one of the most popular complications in watchmaking.

History has shown just how difficult it is to construct a chronograph that is different from others yet remains reliable and functional.

Two brand-new chronographs debuting at Baselworld 2014 illustrate extreme sides of the coin.

De Bethune DB29 Maxi Chrono Tourbillon on the wrist

De Bethune DB29 Maxi Chrono Tourbillon

De Bethune’s long-awaited manually wound DB29 Maxi Chrono Tourbillon features the patented De Bethune 30-second, silicon-infused tourbillon, beating at the unusually high, and very precise, frequency of 36,000 vph.

Of course this chronograph looks nothing like any other chronograph on the market: a single-button (monopusher) chronograph, it boasts five co-axial hands created with the aim of making it easier to read the chronograph times. These are not placed in the usual subdials, but rather utilize a scale encircling the dial, which also provides the display for the chronograph’s second hand and the minute counter.

De Bethune DB29 Maxi Chrono Tourbillon

To differentiate them, the chronograph second hand is blued, and the minute counter hand is gold. The shorter hand closer to the center of the dial is the hour totalizer.

Though at first glance it may appear a bit busy, once the eye has sorted the dial out, it becomes very easy to read. Its design alludes to the roots of the brand, which were more classic than the avant-garde aesthetics now prevalent in the company’s output.  The hinged lid revealing the movement when opened is a very nice new element.

Movement of the De Bethune DB29 Maxi Chrono Tourbillon

De Bethune’s patented, futuristic tourbillon is at 3 o’clock, though not visible from the dial side. Containing three column wheels, the company’s own patented absolute clutch and self-regulating twin spring barrels, this chronograph is unlike any other currently on the market.

For more information, please visit www.debethune.ch/collections-db29.htm

Glashütte Original Senator Chronograph Panorama Date

Glashütte Original Senator Chronograph Panorama Date

Glashütte Original is a Swatch Group-owned brand located in the heart of Glashütte. This company boasts a long history in mechanical chronograph mechanisms, having developed six since the first one in 1955. The last one was the Senator Rattrapante (Caliber 99) from 2007.

The declared goal of the new Senator Chronograph Panorama Date was to conceive a contemporary chronograph with balanced functions that is reliable, legible and luxurious. To achieve this, the company’s experienced team took the best elements of its previous chronographs, added the company’s signature panorama date, and created the automatic, flyback Caliber 37-01, an integrated, column-wheel chronograph with distinct Glashütte-style elements.

Glashütte Original Senator Chronograph Panorama Date

At Baselworld, it launched in two exquisitely finished versions: red gold with a very special silver-grained dial and platinum with a hand-finished silver-colored dial.

Through the display back of the Glashütte Original Senator Chronograph Panorama Date

For more information, please visit www.glashuette-original.com/collection/the-4-pillars/detail/senator-chronograph-panorama-date/.

Quick Facts Glashütte Original Senator Chronograph Panorama Date
Case: 42 mm, red gold or platinum
Functions: hours minutes, seconds; panorama date, flyback chronograph
Movement: automatic Caliber 37-01

Quick Facts De Bethune DB29 Maxi Chrono Tourbillon
Case: 46.3 mm, pink gold
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds; monopusher chronograph
Movement: manually wound Caliber DB2039 with 30-second tourbillon
Limitation: 20 pieces only per year