Dear Watch Aficionados,

Let’s turn back the clocks to 1983. Just when quartz timepieces were enjoying peak popularity, Gerd-Rüdiger Lang founded Chronoswiss – because he firmly believed in the timeless fascination of timekeeping mechanisms. In the hour of its birth, Chronoswiss was already a brand for visionaries, pioneers and nonconformists.
And much more: Chronoswiss was the first brand to miniaturize the regulator into wristwatch format and develop a complete collection around this icon.

I cordially invite you to explore more than 35 years of Chronoswiss here.

Yours truly,

Oliver Ebstein
Owner and CEO Chronoswiss

1983 - 1984

Gerd-Rüdiger Lang †* founds Chronoswiss in Munich. From the beginning, the goal of the entrepreneurial endeavour is clear: exclusive, mechanical watches in best Swiss Made quality to be distributed worldwide. The first watch is one of many world firsts to come: the world’s first mechanical chronograph with moon phase indication and clear crystal case back.

Chronoswiss is registered as a protected trademark.

*Gerd Rüdiger Lang died at the age of 80 in March,2023. His legacy remains an inspiration to the company and serves as motivation to strive for innovation & progress. His courage to explore unknown watchmaking pathways is the foundation of Chronoswiss and his everlasting heritage.

1988 - 1990

The Régulateur – the world’s first serially manufactured wristwatch with a regulator-style display separating minutes, seconds and hours - is presented at our first appearance at Baselworld. This format, previously used by pre-atomic clocks such as marine chronometers, radio broadcasting timekeepers and watchmaking reference clocks, finally goes portable on the wrist.

The typical Chronoswiss case is born. Its distinguishing design features include a fluted bezel, onion-shaped crown and patented screw-in solution for securely connecting the strap with the lugs.

World premiere of Chronoswiss Régulateur Automatique, powered by our first exclusive automatic movement.

1991 - 1994

Debut of the Kairos Chronograph – the world’s first automatic chronograph with off-centre display of the hours and minutes.

Presentation of the patented split-seconds chronograph Rattrapante.

Chronoswiss founder Gerd-Rüdiger Lang co-authors the relevant book Chronograph-Wristwatches.

World premiere of the rectangular Cabrio. This reversible wristwatch has a patent for its unique top-hinged engineering solution.

With the serially manufactured Orea timepiece, Chronoswiss revives the art of hand-enamelled dials.

Release of the patented Grand Régulateur.

1995 - 2000

World premiere of Chronoswiss Opus – the first serially manufactured, automatic, skeletonised chronograph.

Presentation of the patented Chronoswiss Pathos – the world’s first skeletonised, self-winding, split-seconds chronograph.

Debut of the Régulateur à Tourbillon, the world’s first tourbillon with a regulator dial and cantilevered tourbillon cage.

2001 - 2004

Premiere of the Chronoscope – the world’s first automatic chronograph with a regulator complication.

Presentation of the first Chronoswiss striking mechanism Répetition à Quarts at Baselworld.

Winner of “Watch of the Year 2003” awarded by Armbanduhren magazine for the Chronoscope.

Presentation of the Régulateur à Tourbillon Squelette at Baselworld. The world’s first skeletonised, hand-engraved tourbillon regulator watch is produced in a limited edition of 200 pieces.

2005 - 2012

Release of the models Digiteur (MSA) and Perpetual Calendar at Baselworld. Inaugural of the Chronoswiss Classics – a “nautomotive” event marrying watches, classic boats and cars.

Winner of the “Golden Balance/International Watch Award” issued by Uhren-Magazin for the Chronoscope. Chronoswiss also wins silver and bronze medals in further watch awards for the models Grand Régulateur, Imperia and Répétition à Quarts.

Several Chronoswiss models, including the Régulateur 24, Kairos Lady, Grand Lunar Chronograph and Opus, earn medals from international watch fairs and publications such as Uhren-Magazin and Armbanduhren.

Since 2012

The Swiss entrepreneurial family Ebstein acquires the assets of Chronoswiss from founder Gerd-Rüdiger Lang. Oliver Ebstein is the new CEO.

The 30th anniversary of Chronoswiss is celebrated with the Régulateur 30 – a collection piece characterised by guilloché dial.

The new Chronoswiss atelier and headquarters in Lucerne open their doors to the public. Here you can visit our patient, steady-handed watchmakers and marvel at the atelier where our dial-crafting artisans take hand guilloché and enamelling into the 21st century.

2016 - 2018

Launch of the Flying Regulator Manufacture. This is the first three-dimensional design with regulator-style indicators hovering above the dial.

The Red Dot Design Award and the GQ Time Award given to the Chronoswiss Flying Regulator Manufacture.

The Flying Grand Regulator Skeleton combines contemporary skeletonising with strongly contrasting colours.

Chronoswiss celebrates its 35th birthday with the Flying Regulator Open Gear Anniversary Edition, our first three-dimensional Regulator model using a hand guilloché dial.

In presenting the Flying Regulator Open Gear Blockchain Series, Chronoswiss is the first watch brand to create a collection dedicated to cryptocurrency enthusiasts – an indication that the brand accepts payment in any established cryptocurrency.

2019 - 2020

Launch of Open Gear ReSec – the world’s first regulator watch with a retrograde second hand.

Flying Regulator Night and Day, with a half-domed night and day display, receives the prestigious Red Dot Design Award.

Chronoswiss strengthtens its capacities to perform more and more processes inhouse. Apart from the finishing of movement parts, assembly, and artisanal techniques such as guilloché or enamelling, we also take care of development, prototyping and aftersales service in our Atelier Lucerne.

Release of Chronoswiss Regulator Classic Blue Steel – the bluest watch in existence.