The new skeletonised Opus Chronograph Flag is an updated edition of a true Chronoswiss classic. The dial may be scarcely there after the careful and ingenious skeletonising process – but nevertheless the blue and fair subdial perimeters make a great impression. This modern mechanical 300-part horological marvel is sporting blue with highlights in white and red – the three most used colours for national flags.
The mechanical clarity of the Opus Chronograph is achieved by carefully paring away all superfluous material, leaving nothing but a filigreed skeleton – which functions just as well as when fully fleshed. On the new model the bridges of the Chronoswiss Calibre C.741S movement have a galvanic black finish, which provides a shadowy backdrop to the sweeping hours, minutes, seconds, date and the bright red chronograph seconds. You will also see the skeletonising clearer than ever before, as the curved sapphire crystal is now getting a double anti-reflection treatment.
Around for more than a quarter-century, the Opus architecture has been thoroughly updated. Its new geometry combines a 41-millimetre diameter with shorter lugs hugging the wrist more comfortably. Made of stainless steel, the solid construction calls for no fewer than 23 pieces. Finishes include a satin-brushed case band, shiny lugs and the typical Chronoswiss markers of a knurled bezel and generous onion crown. Water resistance has also been improved – now at 10 bar. And the alligator leather band is held in place with screw-in lugs featuring the Chronoswiss patented Autobloc system.
The skeletonising on the Opus Chronograph is executed with a pantograph technique – imagine having a larger template made after a handmade prototype. The pantograph uses a steel finger to follow the pattern on the large drawing while a mechanical arm guides the tool that mills the small movement components, in essence skeletonizing them. When Chronoswiss first introduced the Opus back in 1995, it was one of the brands pioneering this technique for skeletonising.
Technical Data
Model Opus Chronograph
Reference CH-7543.1S-BLSI
Stainless steel, galvanic blue and silver dial, skeletonized
Displays Sweep hours and minutes, seconds, analogue date, sweep chronograph seconds, 30-minute counter, 12-hour counter
Case Solid 23 pieces, stainless steel case, with satin finish and polished, bezel with partial knurling and curved, double coated anti-reflective sapphire crystal, screw-down case back with satin finish and sapphire crystal, onion crown, water resistance up to 10 bar, screw-in lugs with patented Autobloc system
Measurements Ø 41 mm, height 14.80 mm
Movement Chronoswiss Caliber C.741S, automatic, skeletonized
Diameter Ø 30 mm (13 1/4´´´)
Height 7.90 mm
Jewels 25
Balance Glucydur, three-legged
Balance spring Nivarox I
Fine adjustment Via excenter cam
Shock protection Incabloc
Frequency 4 Hz., 28‘800 A/h
Power reserve Approx. 46 hours
Special features Skeletonized and CVD-plated blue rotor with Côtes de Genève, ball bearings; polished pallet lever, escape wheel and screws; skeletonized bridges and base plate with perlage, galvanic black
Dial Skeletonized, galvanic blue and silver
Hands Breguet Losange shape, lacquered white and red
Strap Louisiana alligator leather, hand-sewn
