Albishorn, a Swiss brand celebrated for its unique approach to "imaginary vintage" timepieces, has unveiled a new, more subdued iteration of its mechanical regatta chronograph: the Marinagraph Classic. This timepiece follows in the footsteps of the Albishorn Maxigraph, a collaborative debut model with Massena LAB that I explored in detail two years prior. The regatta chronograph, now a staple of Albishorn's "Water" collection, integrates a tide bezel, further enhancing its nautical utility.
The Marinagraph Classic distinguishes itself from its predecessor, the Marinagraph Classic Racing, primarily through aesthetic refinements. A notable change is the replacement of the vibrant aluminum insert tide bezel with a sophisticated bidirectional sapphire bezel, adorned with traditional luminescent markers. The dial options have also evolved, with the familiar sunray-brushed black dial now accompanied by a striking white fumé variant, featuring a subtle dark gradient at its periphery. The black dial is complemented by contrasting silver hands and markers, while the white fumé version showcases bold black accents. Both dials share a vibrant blue and red ten-minute retrograde regatta countdown scale at the 7 o'clock position, with the chronograph and regatta seconds hands color-matched to their respective dials in red for black and blue for white. A distinctive feature, carried over from the original Maxigraph, is the aperture at 3 o'clock, which functions as a continuous running indicator.
Both models boast a 39mm stainless steel case, measuring 47.7mm from lug to lug and 13mm in thickness, ensuring a comfortable fit while offering a practical 100 meters of water resistance. The crown is positioned at 10 o'clock, with the red-anodized aluminum monopusher for the regatta chronograph located at 9 o'clock. Activating this pusher initiates the chronograph seconds hand and the ten-minute regatta countdown. The countdown hand halts at zero, while the chronograph continues its measurement. A second press stops the timer, and a final press resets the chronograph to its initial position. The timepiece is powered by Albishorn's patented proprietary caliber ALB01, an automatic-winding monopusher chronograph movement. It features a retrograde 10-minute regatta function, a running indicator, and an extended power reserve of 64 hours. While drawing some architectural inspiration from the Valjoux 7750, the ALB01 stands apart with its monopusher conversion, enhanced power reserve, and the unique retrograde regatta countdown. Notably, its slim profile of 6.6mm is a reduction from the 7.9mm of its precursor, and its chronograph operation offers a noticeably smoother and more refined tactile experience compared to many 7750-based chronographs.
Each of the two Marinagraph Classic variants is a limited edition of 99 unnumbered pieces, to be produced over three years. The versions equipped with two rubber straps are priced at CHF 3,950, while those including a steel bracelet alongside the two rubber straps are available for CHF 4,400. These timepieces can be acquired directly from Albishorn, with sales commencing on Friday, August 14th, at 9 am EDT (3 pm CEST). This release from Albishorn presents a thoughtfully refined design that balances historical inspiration with contemporary precision. The new Marinagraph Classic is a testament to the brand's commitment to innovation and craftsmanship, offering enthusiasts a versatile and distinctive watch that embodies both performance and timeless style.
