Chronoswiss
Lucerne, Switzerland · Est. 1983
Founded by Gerd-Rüdiger Lang
Chronoswiss was founded in Munich in 1982 by Gerd-Rüdiger Lang and was one of the first brands to revive traditional watchmaking aesthetics — engine-turned dials, coin-edge bezels — in the modern era. The brand relocated to Lucerne in 2012 and continues producing its signature regulator displays and classical complications.
- Founded
- 1983
- Headquarters
- Lucerne, Switzerland
- Group
- Independent
- Price Segment
- Luxury
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- Régulateur — Signature collection featuring regulator-style dials with separate sub-dials for hours, minutes, and seconds — a Chronoswiss hallmark since 1988.
- Flying Regulator — Open-worked regulator with visible movement and skeletonised dial, blending transparency with the brand's trademark layout.
- Sirius — Classic round collection with guilloché dials, onion crown, and coin-edge case — quintessential Chronoswiss elegance.
Timeline
- 1983 — Gerd-Rüdiger Lang founds Chronoswiss in Munich, Germany, with a mission to revive mechanical watchmaking during the quartz crisis.
- 1988 — Launches the Régulateur, the first modern wristwatch with a regulator dial, establishing the brand's signature.
- 2012 — Chronoswiss relocates its headquarters from Munich to Lucerne, Switzerland.
- 2014 — Oliver Ebstein, a Swiss entrepreneur, acquires Chronoswiss and begins modernising the brand.
- 2019 — Introduces the Open Gear ReSec, combining a regulator layout with a jumping seconds complication.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chronoswiss
- What is a regulator dial?
- A regulator dial separates hours, minutes, and seconds onto individual sub-dials instead of sharing one axis. Originally used in precision clocks, Chronoswiss pioneered the layout for wristwatches.
- Is Chronoswiss Swiss or German?
- Founded in Munich, Germany, in 1983, Chronoswiss moved to Lucerne, Switzerland, in 2012. It's now a Swiss brand, though its German mechanical heritage is part of its identity.