hile today, a chronograph wristwatch is seen as an aesthetic enhancement to stylish attire, albeit with practical applications, that was not always the case. In the days Delma’s first chronograph was brought to market, the measurement abilities were sought after by consumers for their precious unmatched functionality. Counting minutes and seconds with accessible, portable convenience meant daily activities such as correspondence, competitions and travel were more accurate and measurable.

To celebrate this legacy, the Heritage Chronograph Limited Edition joins Delma’s collections in 2021. Limited to only 75 pieces, it maintains the essential characteristics of the original per model and features a tachymeter and a telemeter with an automatic movement.

The bespoke Tachymeter was used to calculate speed, specifically units per hour. While today such measurements are readily presented to us with various electronic instruments, this scale preceded them by using a fixed marker to give an accurate measurement of the rate of travel of a car, train or even a plane.

The Telemeter, featured on the inner ring of the perimeter, was conceived to measure the distance between the timepiece and a visual element through the speed of sound, a prime example being the proximity of lightning through the measurement of its visual appearance and the thunder heard. While this may seem novel today, this functionality was crucial on the battlefield and in various other applications.

A further nostalgic element is the three elongated lines on the minute counter at 3, 6 and 9 minutes, originally used to time phone calls at payphones as they would end in 3-minute intervals (if no further money were inserted).

While the new limited edition Heritage is undoubtedly a revival of a historic chronograph, it is also subtly enhanced with new design elements and materials. Cathedral shaped hour and minute hands in a blued finish with old radium luminous markers have been introduced to yellow gold and rose gold PVD case varieties. A new black dialed version features stainless steel hands with C3 SuperLuminova. The central seconds hand rotates through the enlarged and luminous Arabic numerals now displayed in a slightly bolder, modernized typeface.

The Heritage collection represents Delma’s uncompromised commitment to creating classic quality timepieces. Now comprised of a 3-hand, as well as bicompax and three counter chronographs, it demonstrates the timeless nature of a quintessential timepiece, improved over time with the innovation of new technical features and materials while the design and quality remain eternally modern.

TECHNICAL DATA

• Case and dial 43mm polished stainless steel, yellow or rose gold PVD case. Thickness 15.7mm. Domed sapphire crystal. Sunray-brushed dial with two circular guilloche-pattern counters, Tachymeter and Telemeter. Stainless steel or blued cathedral shaped minute and hour hand, central seconds hand. Arabic numerals, minute and hour hands with SuperLuminova. Date window at 6 o’clock.

• Movement Automatic Sellita SW510 Bicompax chronograph movement Small seconds at 9 o’clock, 30 minutes at 3 o’clock, Date at 6 o’clock DELMA customized rotor visible through transparent case back.

• Water resistance 100m / 330ft.

• Bracelet Genuine leather strap in black, blue or brown with folding clasp with pushers.

• Box Delma natural wooden box.

• Limited edition 75 pieces per model

• Recommended retail prices Stainless steel: CHF 2,400 / Yellow gold or rose gold PVD version: CHF 2,500