SpotlightGlacial Inspiration: Introducing The Chronoswiss Delphis Sub Zero Timepiece In Silver And Blue Hues

Defenders of mechanical watchmaking, Chronoswiss are known for fusing traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques in their timepieces. Pairing age-old techniques like hand guilloche with colour, new materials and modern-day treatments such as CVD (or chemical vapour deposition), Chronoswiss are committed to preserving their watchmaking heritage while modernising their timepieces to make them relevant. This is especially apparent in their latest release, the Chronoswiss Delphis Sub Zero watch, with a regulator-style dial in hues of blue, black and silver, against a blue CVD-treated steel case, and a matching blue rubber strap. Inspired by glacial hues of silver and blue, the Delphis Sub Zero is an undoubtedly cool timepiece.

Chronoswiss Delphis Sub Zero: Electric Exterior, Precise Heart

First released in 1996, the classical-looking Chronoswiss Delphis collection received an update in 2023 with more colour, texture and dimension. Since then, the brand have released some stunning Delphis timepieces such as the Delphis Paraiba, Venture, Sapphire and Horizon watches, the last of which was released just earlier this year as part of a trilogy of new hues. With the release of the Chronoswiss Delphis Sub Zero, the brand display their commitment to expanding the stunning collection in a variety of themes and shades, while keeping the traditional yet contemporary essence of the Delphis intact.

Sized at 42mm, with a height of 14.5mm, the steel case of the Delphis Sub Zero timepiece features a brilliant blue CVD coating, and offers a water resistance of 100m. The brand’s distinctive oversized onion crown, fluted double ring along the profile and straight lugs with screws for the strap feature a uniform finish in an electric blue. A matching blue rubber strap adds to the watch’s captivating and icy appeal. On turning the timepiece over, the automatic C.6004 calibre can be viewed through the exhibition caseback. Here, a skeletonised tungsten rotor offers a better view of the polished escape wheel and screws, Nivarox balance spring, and ruthenium-plated bridge decorated with Geneva stripes. The calibre offers the timepiece a power reserve of 55 hours.

Icy Silver Face Of The Chronoswiss Delphis Sub Zero

It is on the dial of the Chronoswiss Delphis Sub Zero that the glacial inspiration for the timepiece shines best. A silvery hand-guilloche base for the retrograde minutes dominates the upper half of the three dimensional dial, bordered by a recessed black track on which numerals for the minute track are displayed. Surrounding this track, against a white background, are blued markers that correspond with the numerals. At 12 o’clock on the textured upper half of the dial is a window for the jumping hours complication that makes the Delphis collection so special.

A silvery hand-guilloche base for the retrograde minutes dominates the upper half of the Delphis Sub Zero's dial, surrounded by a recessed black track on which numerals are displayed

At 12 o’clock on the textured upper half of the dial is a window for the jumping hours complication that makes the Delphis collection so special

In contrast, the lower half of the dial features a grained black finish with two matt-finished bridges holding up a small seconds sub-dial in electric blue. Here, a guilloche texture—which is different from that in silver on the upper half—stands out against the black background, complementing both the grained finish and the silver pattern above. With just three hues in varying patterns and a construction in multiple layers, the dial stands out for its depth and striking aesthetic.

Chronoswiss have presented some striking Delphis timepieces in the past, but this latest Delphis Sub Zero is perhaps the coolest of them all. Wouldn’t you agree? Let us know in the comments.