Managing Cyrus almost as a one-man show, Ruben Mira has been quietly working away on shaping the brand to fit his strategy. The most concrete result of his work so far was seen at Baselworld this year with the launch of an entirely redesigned case for the Klepcys line.
“The problem with the brand was that the identity was not clear for the customer,” explains Mr. Mira. “Our designs also made for complicated constructions and higher prices. But I absolutely wanted to keep the profile of the Klepcys, so I took this strong design and changed the dimensions of the case.”
The new Klepcys is therefore 2mm smaller in diameter than its predecessor and much thinner. It also has a completely different dial configuration that reverts to a traditional clock face, albeit off-centred. And while the two crowns remain, placed symmetrically at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock, there is another important difference: “What was missing was a function for the second crown,” says Mr. Mira, “now we have the start/stop and reset functions on different crowns – something that has never been done before but which is, more importantly, much more easy to operate when you are wearing the watch on your wrist.”
Three different versions of this new chronograph are available: one in 18-carat red gold and DLC, one in stainless steel and DLC and a version called “Darkness” (see photo at the top of the page) that comes with an all black titanium DLC case and matching all-black dial. Recalling the original Klepcys models, which displayed the hours and minutes using discs, the new chronograph has a minute counter disc at 12 o’clock and an hour counter disc at 6 o’clock, leaving a generous arc sweeping around the 9 o’clock position to show the date.
The new Klepcys models are powered by the Cyrus calibre CYR314 self-winding chronograph movement, developed in conjunction with Jean-François Mojon, with whom the brand also collaborated for the launch of a rather special limited-edition collection at Baselworld: the Klepcys Alarm.
In this model, which is available as a strictly limited edition of 10 pieces each in the same varieties as the chronograph, the time is indicated centrally and an offset dial at 4 o’clock can be used to set an alarm to within an accuracy of 5 minutes. Next to this subdial, the hammer that operates this mechanical alarm can be seen. Thanks to the calibre CYR1280 manual movement with two separate barrels (one for the timekeeping and one for the mechanical alarm), the watch offers a power reserve of 72 hours and the mechanical alarm can sound for a full 20 seconds. An easy-to-read on/off indicator and an equally legible day/night display at 11 o’clock ensure perfect ease of use.
The new chronographs will retail from around 12,700 Swiss francs, while the alarm will be around 39,000 Swiss francs. Cyrus fans may be disappointed to hear that the Kouros and Kambys models will gradually be phased out of the collection, but news that a tourbillon is on the way next year may alleviate their pain.
