Their utilitarian names – 7750, 2892, 6497 – are familiar to the watch-buying public. Base movements – relatively simple, accessible, generic calibres - are the bread-and-butter of movement manufacturers. They have equipped millions of watches over the decades and continue to do so today – although some of the brands that use them are shy about their origins, introducing (sometimes) minor alterations to then present them under a new name, enhancing their prestige in the process.
Birth of the C101
A base movement is therefore a cornerstone of every movement manufacturer’s strategy and survival. Chronode was always an exception to this rule. Established 20 years ago by Jean-François Mojon, it rapidly specialised in complications, high-end calibres and custom developments in consultation with renowned clients.
The company waited ten years to bring out its first base movement, in 2014. True to form, the C101 was special, different. A well-executed, manual-winding calibre with seven days of power reserve but not exactly tailored to an industry ruled by three-hand automatics!
Introducing the C102
So it was that four years ago, Chronode extended its offer with the C102. This is quite a large movement (30.5mm) beating at 4Hz, with automatic winding and a comfortable power reserve of at least 65 hours. But its real strength lies elsewhere: whereas the industry giants impose a minimum order quantity that can run into the hundreds, Chronode will supply single units.
Better still, it will provide customised versions of the C102 from as few as ten units. This creates opportunities to serve independents and provides the flexibility for limited runs with high added value.
Famous names
Several brands have taken up the offer. Czapek is a long-standing user of the C102 but not the first. That would be Cyrus. By choosing the C102, the independent brand has demonstrated two things. One is the huge range of options in terms of finish, decoration, colour and skeletonisation. The other is the C102’s capacity to incorporate highly technical and power-hungry complications such as the double chronograph of the Klepcys Dice.
Given its high torque, the C102 could even go further and integrate a perpetual calendar, a large date, a retrograde display, a dual time (something Cyrus already proposes), moon phases, in fact virtually any mainstream complication. Small seconds can be offset at 6 o’clock, 9 o’clock or centrally positioned as required. The movement geometry, bridges, colours and decoration are all open to customisation. Last but not least, the C102 can be COSC-certified. It equips Leica’s much remarked-upon watch. Pragma uses it. Not to mention all those whose names we are not at liberty to disclose.
