The Melding of Classic and Contemporary
There is distinctive charm in wearing a watch made by a relatively unfamiliar brand, especially when that brand has the cachet of a headquarters and workshop high in the famous Jura Mountains watchmaking region of Switzerland, and a commitment to making “Swiss Made” watches.
Claude Bernard is such a brand, and its Classic Chronograph model is an excellent example of what the brand does so well – meld classic with contemporary. The overall look of the Classic Chronograph hints at a 1960s sport watch with one exception, the size. The round stainless steel case is 42 mm in diameter, or what may be deemed as the modern standard for men’s watches. But the uncomplicated curved lugs, small capped chronograph pushers and knurled crown all echo a classic look and feel.
Rather than contrasting colors, this model of the Classic Chronograph showcases contrasting textures. The brown dial combines three traditional surfaces to achieve an understated, modern look. The first texture is a circular grain used on the sub-dials; the second is Geneva stripes, which adorns the inner area of the dial, and third; a sunburst pattern highlights the surface of the outer dial, over which the hour markers are applied and the seconds indicators are printed. The flange (between the dial and the bezel) features a tachymeter for measuring elapsed time – another quintessential chronograph feature.
| Claude Bernard Mens 01002 3 BRIN Classic Chronograph |
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| Click to Enlarge Image |
The Classic Chronograph uses a conventional three sub-dial layout: the chronograph sub-dials are side-by-side with the 30-minute counter at 10 o’clock and a tenths-of-a-second counter at 2 o’clock. The sub-dial positioned at 6 o’clock tracks perpetual seconds, while a long central seconds hand tracks elapsed seconds for the chronograph.
The “lance” style design of the hour, minute and sub-dial hands adds yet another touch of elegance and juxtaposes the contemporary appeal of the open date window, which reveals three numbers on the date wheel (an arrow points to the current date).
A solid caseback features the Claude Bernard logo. The dial is covered by an anti-reflective sapphire crystal. The watch is water resistant to 165 feet, which helps to protect the reliable ETA quartz movement inside. A croc-patterned brown leather strap gives the Classic Chronograph a dressy finish, as does the traditional tang buckle.
Claude Bernard Mens 01002 3 BRIN Classic Chronograph
List Price: $525
- Swiss made timepiece
- Precise ETA quartz movement
- Chronograph function
- Stainless steel case, diameter 42 mm, thickness 10.5 mm
- Textured brown dial, open date window, tachymeter
- Anti-reflective scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
- Croc-patterned brown leather strap, width 21 mm, tang buckle
- Water resistant to 165 feet
- 2-year manufacturer’s warranty
The overall look of the Classic Chronograph conveys an elegance that does not belie its sporty roots. Contact an authorized Claude Bernard dealer today for information about availability and go try one on – if the brown dial doesn’t get you, the black or white dial will.
About Gevril Group
Gevril Group, watchmaker and wholesale watch distributor, is the exclusive U.S. agent for exquisitely designed and crafted European luxury and fashion watch brands, distributing and servicing some of the best affordable luxury and Swiss watches and trendy fashion watches. Gevril Group also operates a full-service watch repair, staffed by master Swiss watchmakers. Contact Gevril Group by email or by calling 845-425-9882.
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