Microbrand design is one of the most creative parts of the watchmaking industry. When you’re not beholden to centuries of heritage, investors and shareholders, you can do basically anything you want to. You could even create a watch that features a fully customisable star-field display that will be unique to the wearer. You could also name it after the joint concepts of time and stars, chrono and astra. On an unrelated note, I’ve been hands-on with ChronoAstra’s Automatic Edition, which is available via Kickstarter right now.
At the heart of the watch is the very concept I laid out in the introduction. It features a star field dial with constellations that are precisely placed using NASA star data to match a time, date and location of your choosing when you order the watch. As such, every watch they produce is personalised and basically unique. There’s technically a chance that someone could order the same time, date and location as you but the odds of that are ludicrously small.
In order to execute these customised designs, ChronoAstra make individual pad prints of each piece. Normally such a technique would be used to create 500+ dials so its use to create a single dial per customer is practically unheard of. That’s a demonstration of the lengths they’re willing to go to in the service of individuality. Similarly, the caseback features engravings of the chosen time, date and location as well as a customisable message. The sample I have to hand reads “#1 Papa”, which amuses me way too much probably because I’m waiting for the new season of Stranger Things to drop.
Refocussing on the dial, the constellations can be printed on a choice of four different backdrops: black aventurine (as I have here), blue aventurine, Musuo black or white. I’ve handled aventurine dials plenty of times but I have to say that in terms of sheer sparkle this dial has them all beat. I think that’s because black aventurine allows for a stronger contrast to the sparkles than the typical blue you normally see.
At this point there could be a concern that a customisable star display is leaning a bit too close to gimmicky. Fortunately, the watchmaking fundamentals of the ChronoAstra are also rock solid. The case is made from Grade 5 titanium which is the higher quality of the two most common watchmaking grades of titanium harder than Grade 2 titanium and allowing it to take a wider variety of finishes including, most importantly, polishing. You can see that used to great effect across the edge of the 10-sided bezel and facets of the case body, alternating with vertical brushing.
Considering the shape of the 40mm case and bezel (also available at a petite 34mm), the archetype of the piece falls into the same category as watches like the Christopher Ward Twelve, Girard-Perregaux Laureato and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. A strong 1970s-80s sports watch influence with integrated strap. Here that strap is black FKM rubber, which is one of the optional extras alongside the standard leather. The other optional choice is a titanium bracelet.
Taking a look through the exhibition caseback reveals the Miyota 9039 automatic movement with 42-hour power reserve. It’s equipped with ChronoAstra’s custom A rotor with Côtes de Genève finishing, making for a caseback that’s almost as striking as the dial on the other side. You can also order the watch with a quartz movement if that’s more your speed.
You can back the project on Kickstarter until October 31st. At time of writing the available pledge tier is “Automatic ChronoAstra Super Early Bird” at €699 (approx. £608). Though other tiers for quartz and multi-watch purchases are available too – quartz is around £433. It’s cool to see a fun concept backed up by some pretty serious horological heft at a good value.
Price and Specs:
More details at ChronoAstra.
