A regulator dial enthusiast and journalist reviews the Chronoswiss Flying Grand Regulator

Regulator dials have a niche presence in the watch world. In recent years, many brands have added them to their portfolios to enhance their appeal. However, no brand has embraced the regulator format as much as Chronoswiss. The Flying Grand Regulator is a watch that focuses on the characteristics of the brand's first regulator dial watch, released in 1988. Here is a wearable review.

Chronoswiss "Flying Grand Regulator"

　For many watch wearers, regulators are an acquired taste, like caviar, Maduro cigars, or Islay whiskey. The first time you see one, it can seem intimidating, and you'll probably have trouble telling the time at first. Personally, I've always been a regulator lover. I wear my favorite regulator watches from my modest collection (though not Chronoswiss) to formal events that call for a dress watch.

　The Flying Grand Regulator I wore this time features a deep blue guilloched dial and a 44mm stainless steel case, making it an attractive model. Let's start with the case, which is made up of 21 parts. The rounded, polished bezel is subtly decorated with a thin coin-edge pattern. A slightly wider coin-edge pattern also runs along the edge of the screw-down caseback, which is fitted with a satin-brushed middle case. The coin-edge pattern is reminiscent of pocket watches of the past and was also frequently used in early Chronoswiss watches. The large, onion-shaped crown is another distinctive Chronoswiss feature. Elegantly curved lugs extend from the middle case, and the strap is secured with small screws.

　The multi-layered dial features a galvanically plated blue base with an intricate guilloched pattern radiating from the center, resembling ripples on the surface of water. It features a cone-shaped subdial displaying the hours (at 12 o'clock) and seconds (at 6 o'clock), as well as a central minute display. This classic style is derived from the basic form of 19th-century regulator clocks. The hands are diamond-cut and rhodium-plated, with the exception of the small seconds hand at 6 o'clock, which is red. The dial is also symmetrically decorated with the Chronoswiss logo and the inscription "Atelier Lucerne."

　The subdial at 12 o'clock, which is larger than the subdial displaying the seconds at 6 o'clock, features Roman numeral hour indices, while the minutes are displayed in Arabic numerals arranged in five-minute increments, further subdivided into fifths. Four metal pedal-type markers are screwed onto the main dial near the 2, 4, 8, and 10 o'clock positions. These are likely intended for practical purposes, such as fastening the outer ring or multi-layered dial.

　The sapphire crystal case back allows a view of the caliber C.678. As the absence of a rotor indicates, this movement is manually wound, and features include a large balance wheel, blued screws, 17 rubies, a large bridge decorated with circular Côtes de Genève patterns, and circular graining visible on the balance wheel's bearing surface.

　The strap and buckle are a little less user-friendly. The buckle pin that fits into the strap hole has a small screw that needs to be loosened, the pin needs to be placed in the appropriate hole, and then retightened. Once set, it's very secure, but unless you have a small screwdriver handy, adjusting it can be a bit of a pain. That aside, the Louisiana alligator strap has a nice texture, and the color matches the dial well.

　To be clear, I like regulator dials, and I also appreciate this watch's deep blue color, intricate dial structure, high decorativeness, and vintage-inspired details like the onion-shaped crown and coin-edge bezel. However, I should point out that legibility is somewhat poor in poor lighting conditions. The rhodium-plated hands don't contrast well with the dial, making it difficult to tell the time at a glance. Luminous paint would be out of place on such a classic-looking watch. For example, white hands and indices might be a better choice. However, I should add that the Flying Grand Regulator series offers enough variety to satisfy even those who prioritize practicality over aesthetics. There's sure to be a model to satisfy any aesthetic sensibility.