As its second contribution for the Only Watch charity, Chronoswiss once more chose to excel in artistic craftsmanship. For 2015´s charity auction, the brand proudly presents a timeless interpretation of the ancient “Ouroboros” theme in a sophisticated quarter repeater wristwatch. Dating back to ancient Egypt, mankind has always been fascinated by this symbol of self-reflexivity and the eternal re-creation process. This concept has been translated into a most intriguing timepiece with a high proportion of demanding craftsmanship. Set in a case made of solid white gold, the Ouroboros has been engraved by hand into a solid white gold dial. This is a time-consuming and extremely elaborate process which results in a three-dimensional serpent with a beautiful coating of patina.

In the very center of the dial encircled by the Ouroboros´s body, the white gold has been embellished with côtes de Genève in galvanic anthracite, further adding to the mysterious allure of the timepiece and exactly matching the color of the elegant alligator skin watch band. After the serpent has been engraved into the dial, the artisan still has to perform one demanding step in the creation process of this unique piece: the cutting of the Breguet thread. The resuscitation of these historical, to a degree almost forgotten, handcrafts is something that is near and dear to Chronoswiss CEO Oliver Ebstein who founded a special workshop at the brand´s headquarters in the Swiss town of Lucerne in spring 2013. Here, ticking treasures like the “Ouroboros” are created by artists, partially with the aid of historical tools, such as an antique rose engine built in the year 1924 in La Chaux-de-Fonds. 

While the dial as the “face” of the watch receives a lot of attention, the insides of the timepiece, which are visible through the transparent case back, also create a great amount of fascination. Technically speaking, the quarter repeater mechanism which is featured on Chronoswiss´ manufacture caliber is counted among the great complications. One little hammer strikes its gong to ring out the number of hours (“ding”), then two little hammers strike against two meticulously tuned gongs to ring out the number of quarter-hours (“ding-dong”). The sound of the “Ouroboros” is crystal clear, pure and truly beautiful – almost a contradiction to the beast on its dial. 

About the Only Watch timepiece:

In its second contribution, “Ouroboros”, Chronoswiss pays tribute to the ancient symbol of a serpent eating its own tail, a metaphor for eternal re-creation. This fascinating timepiece is yet another example for artistic craftsmanship performed at Chronoswiss, the white gold dial having been engraved by hand.