The World’s Most Intuitive Chronograph Turns 20

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The World’s Most Intuitive Chronograph Turns 20 - Eberhard & Co.
Eberhard’s Chrono 4 celebrates its 20th anniversary with several new birthday editions

It has been a big year for 20-year-olds, what with both WorldTempus and the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) also turning 20 this month. 

Eberhard’s 20th-anniversary celebration is not for the brand, which is a healthy 134 years old this year, but for its iconic Chrono4 collection that features all the chronograph counters in a line. Typically, chronograph counter formations come with two counters at three and nine o’clock, or three counters at three, six, and nine o’clock. No one had thought about displaying them linearly until former Eberhard CEO, Palmiro Monti, had a brainwave to put them in a row. 

The result was not only more logical in terms of reading elapsed time, but it was also aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The chronograph seconds hand is in the center, while the subdials from left to right indicate: elapsed minutes, elapsed hours, 24-hour clock, and small seconds. 

The World’s Most Intuitive Chronograph Turns 20

It is one thing to have an idea, and quite another to make it all work. Figuring out the mechanical side was no easy feat, but Eberhard found a solution with an additional plate connected to the base movement. The brand patented the concept and presented it to the world’s press and watch lovers in 2001 and the success was immediate.

Since then, there have been a number of impressive editions, starting with the Géant (Giant in English), a 46mm steel and titanium version in full black that came in different limited editions for the celebration of the collection’s 10th anniversary. 

The Chrono4 Temerario (Fearless in English) came in a completely different tonneau-shaped case with the chronograph counters descending on the right side of the dial. This unique chronograph can be seen on the wrist of Jackie Chan who chose a limited-edition version for his 60th birthday in 2014. Another famous Chrono4 owner is world motorcycling champion Loris Capirossi, a.k.a. Capriex, who had a version made for him in 2008.

The World’s Most Intuitive Chronograph Turns 20

For the 130th anniversary of the brand, Eberhard also created an Haute Horlogerie version with a skeletonized dial and sapphire crystal upper bridge that revealed beautifully crafted, DLC-treated gears beneath. 

Several new models are joining the collection for the 20th anniversary in 42 mm polished stainless-steel cases, the most popular size for sporty chronographs. There are two editions with matching polished stainless-steel bezels, and two with black ceramic bezels. There is also a large selection of dials, including blue, black, and white Clous de Paris patterns and white or air force gray sunray versions. 

What better way to celebrate this important milestone than with a 20th-anniversary edition? 

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