Today, I would like to talk to you about one of the most underrated independent watch brands: Atelier de Chronométrie. Although its name is not Spanish, this Barcelona-based company creates magnificent pieces inspired by the mid-century, powered both by their own movement and by restored and reworked vintage movements. Before presenting one of their emblematic pieces, allow me to introduce who is behind this project.
Founded in 2014, Atelier de Chronométrie is the passion project par excellence, created by watch enthusiasts for watch enthusiasts. It embodies a deep understanding of horology, striving to keep alive the essence of traditional and artisanal watchmaking from the 1930s and 1940s. The main team behind Atelier de Chronométrie is a small multidisciplinary group led by Santiago Martínez and Montse Gimeno, a couple of vintage watch collectors and resellers who are married to each other. Their first vintage watch sales enterprise, Mimandcroket, which was founded in 2009, is still active to this day.
Graduated in fashion design, Santiago Martínez is the creative director with refined taste and a sensitivity for horological aesthetics, while Montse Gimeno holds a degree in communication and marketing. To support these two figures, they have been able to count on watchmakers who are no longer affiliated with the team, such as Eduard Mercadé and Moebius Rassmman, both graduates of the Barcelona Watchmaking School with more than 10 and 20 years of experience respectively in watch restoration.
Two years later, in 2016, Atelier de Chronométrie presented their first watch, the AdC1, the company’s inaugural timepiece, powered by an Omega calibre 266 movement largely restored and hand-finished, with multiple aesthetic and functional improvements. The watch pays homage to the competition chronometers of the 1950s and was certified by the Besançon Observatory in France.
Today, Santiago Martínez and Montse Gimeno are joined by Pierre Aubert, a young French watchmaker trained at the K&H Watchmaking Skills School in Le Locle and deeply passionate about traditional watchmaking methods. Although they have maintained a small core team of only three people, they also work alongside a network of collaborators, local artisans, and suppliers. For example, case artisans Víctor González and Helio González, of the second and third generations, share the team’s passionate vision for artisanal crafting of cases and straps.
The brand offers a multitude of exceptionally unique creations, all contributing to the evolution of the brand. Each watch is a one-of-a-kind piece, designed in collaboration with a single client, a showcase of Spanish craftsmanship and high horology that will never be repeated. The client can choose the case material, the type of dial design, as well as a wide range of options to customise the calibre, etc. Moreover, during the creation process of the wristwatch, the client has the opportunity to monitor its progress and exchange opinions with the team.
The classic and understated watches of Atelier de Chronométrie are characterised by their timeless look, inspired by pre-war aesthetics with simple and minimal case shapes that highlight the beauty and strength of the dials. Their first inspiration is, as an anecdote, the Patek Philippe Ref. 96, as it has a strong wrist presence and the variety of dials is incredible. According to them, the AdC watch that best embodies the brand’s image is the simple yet immaculate AdC88, launched for the first time in 2018. Now, let us move on to the presentation of this watch.
Table of Contents – Atelier de Chronométrie AdC88
What are the features of the Atelier de Chronométrie AdC88?
Case
The Atelier de Chronométrie AdC88 features a stainless steel case with a diameter of 37 mm, a size that meets today’s expectations for a dress watch. This three-part case includes a flat bezel and extended lugs, all magnificently finished with a contrasting blend of satin and polished surfaces.
Dial
The Atelier de Chronométrie AdC88 is adorned with a vintage-inspired, galvanic gold and black sector dial reminiscent of the pre-war era. For the first time, Atelier de Chronométrie presents a combination of an exotic galvanised gold-black dial with Arabic numerals instead of Breguet numerals. The large seconds subdial at 6 o’clock offers not only a visual break on the dial but also a textural contrast. Indeed, it is guilloché with a concentric circular pattern. The hands, rendered in white gold, have been perfectly rounded and polished to achieve a dazzling shine – a pure pleasure to behold.
Movement
The Atelier de Chronométrie AdC88 houses the manually wound calibre 88, a preliminary version of the Omega 266 movement. It is the direct descendant of the legendary Omega 30T2 pocket watch calibres, produced for over 25 years, before being modified, refined, and completely overhauled to meet their demanding specifications. The decision to use a vintage calibre in their watches was mainly practical, as it was easier to procure, refurbish, and adapt, without having to research and develop an entirely new calibre from scratch. There was also the advantage of the authenticity that such an approach conferred to the watch and the satisfaction of fuelling the team’s desire to create something rooted in history.
They increased the beat frequency from 18,000 to 21,600 vibrations per hour, added a free-sprung balance regulated by 6 18-carat rose gold screws with a polished black balance bridge, replaced the fourth wheel with an entirely new one made of brass plated in rose gold and shaped in the AdC symbol, and spent countless hours focusing on the decoration of every part of the movement – even the parts that you cannot see – among countless other small updates and improvements. It has already been reported that Atelier de Chronométrie devotes over 500 hours to reworking and finishing each of the vintage movements used in their watches using techniques such as graining, frosting, black polishing, anglage, and perlage.
This calibre offers a power reserve of 38 hours and also features three upper bridges made in Arcap, black polished screws, 18-carat rose gold plated accents, a new lowered and black polished escape wheel bridge in carbon steel, and a black polished anchor bridge. Note that each update of the movement is carried out, finished, and installed by hand in their workshop in Barcelona, Spain.
Strap
The Atelier de Chronométrie AdC88 is supplied with a brown leather strap featuring a handcrafted stainless steel buckle.
What is the price of the Atelier de Chronométrie AdC88?
The Atelier de Chronométrie AdC88 is offered at a price of €75,000 (Excluding VAT).
Atelier de Chronométrie AdC88: a watch created to stand the test of time
The Atelier de Chronométrie AdC88 is a bespoke creation that is both elegant and refined, serving as a beautiful homage to watches of the past. We can applaud the fact that this brand does not have overly ambitious plans to expand, although its name has gained importance and respect among collectors in this market which, I must remind you, is young and not yet consolidated. Although they are determined to grow to meet demand, they are just as determined to maintain their independence, their freedom to make mistakes, to learn on their own, without more pressure than what you impose on yourself and accept, in order not to affect their creativity and philosophy. This is truly commendable.
Atelier de Chronométrie watches are not meant for everyone and clearly belong to the high horology segment of the market. The handcrafting and finishing of each individual piece, though an incredible exercise in craftsmanship in the modern era, are certainly reflected in the prices. Ultimately, Atelier de Chronométrie’s watches are an incredible exercise in craftsmanship and restraint, offering the few collectors in this market a rare and bespoke neo-vintage timepiece unlike any other. The brand aims to uphold uniqueness at the highest level, but if a client desires something unusual or is not comfortable with these ideas, they will not hesitate to decline the proposal.
Today, they have produced only about ten watches per year since their creation in 2015, and they are also manufacturing their first in-house movement after having previously focused entirely on updating and overhauling vintage chronometer base movements. If you are looking for a unique piece, rare even by high horology standards, they may be the right people for you. Contact them directly to arrange an appointment to create your own bespoke concept and see what they can do for you.
Atelier de Chronométrie AdC88 – Watch Specifications
- Brand: Atelier de Chronométrie
- Model: AdC88
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial: Black Galvanic Gilt
- Functions: Hours, Minutes
- Movement: Calibre 88, Omega 266 ébauche, Manual-Winding, 21’600vph frequency (3Hz), 18 jewels
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Water Resistance: 3 ATM
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Caseback: Sapphire
- Case Dimension: 37.5 mm (Diameter)
- Strap: Brown Calf with Stainless Steel Pin Buckle
- Retail Price: €75,000 (Excluding VAT)
Do you know this highly underrated brand? What is your perspective on brands that draw inspiration from the past to create watches that stand the test of time? Share your thoughts in the comments.
For more information about Atelier de Chronométrie, click here.
