Watches that have (for the most part) remained inaccessible, hidden away in museums and buried deep in the archives of some the world’s oldest and most established watch companies.
These watches however will not be homages or copies. Using the highest technical and aesthetic aspirations, HELBERG plan to redesign and re-engineer watches that have been unobtainable even to the most seasoned collectors whilst ensuring that their dimensions and technical specifications meet the needs of the watch collectors and enthusiasts of today.
Their first model, the CH1 takes its unique aesthetic from the Rolex Deep Sea Special, an experimental watch that was first designed by Rolex in the early 50s and that later evolved to become the deepest ever mechanical wristwatch with a water-resistance exceeding 10’000 meters.
It would be more than half a century before it was finally superseded by another Rolex, the Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA Challenge watch. Owning a watch such as the DSS has been confined only to our day dreams!
Realized and re-engineered, the HELBERG CH1 retains all the wonderful personality traits of the 1960 DSS - such as its elongated case, huge lug adapters, heavy duty caseback, elegant dial and massively domed crystal-
however packaged into a modern and (relatively) modestly sized wristwatch that will not only wear well and perform flawlessly, but that will capture the imaginations of those of us who have always dreamt of owning such a watch.
Engineered in Germany and manufactured in Switzerland, all watches under the HELBERG brand will be ‘SWISS MADE’ according to Swiss industry regulations. The CH1 is powered by an ETA 2824 automatic, mechanical movement.
It features a Stainless steel or bronze CuSn8 case with two bezel designs: one highly polished minimalistic bezel and one brushed divers style bezel. It is fitted with either a 15mm spherical or 7mm highly domed Sapphire crystal and a closed or display back.
Crystal and caseback specification depending the CH1’s water-resistance is either: 300 atmos., 3000 meters, 9842 ft. with a double domed Sapphire glass and display caseback - or - 600 atmos., 6000 meters, 19685 ft. with an optional spherical Sapphire glass and closed case back.
The CH1 will come in two case materials. The Stainless Steel version’s case, bezel, crown and case back will be made from brushed 316L surgical grade Stainless steel. The Bronze version’s case and bezel will be made from brushed German bronze CuSn8. Its crown will be in 316L surgical grade Stainless steel and its case back will be in Grade 5 Titanium.
Further features include: Viton and Teflon gaskets, an anti-magnetic shield up to 70.000A/m., AR-coated, anti scratch Sapphire crystals, bezel with 120 positions, a Stainless steel bracelet with micro adjustment (optional), hands, dial, bezel with BGw9 SuperLuminova, a chromed or golden polished handset, and a dial with chromed or golden markers.
DIMENSIONS are as follows: bezel diameter: 41mm, case diameter: 42mm, thickness with display case back and without crystal: 16.80mm, thickness with closed case back and without crystal: 18.80mm, thickness with double domed crystal and display case back: 19.20mm, thickness with spherical crystal and display case back: 27.25mm, Length: 57mm, thickness of the opt. spherical crystal: 15mm, thickness of the double domed crystal: 7mm, Sapphire crystal diameter: 31mm, dial diameter: 30mm, space between lugs: 22mm, crown diameter: 9mm
The HELBERG CH1 pricing and images of the bronze model will be announced here with the start of the pre-order period 07.02.2013! HELBERG expect delivery of the HELBERG CH1 in the Summer of 2013.
Well, it is more pleasing to the eye than the original (upon which it is modelled).
ReplyDeleteI did not see mention of a He release valve - how is the crystal kept in place in the event of He buildup?
I'n not a fan of release valves and prefer methods such as the UTS and original PloProf to keep the crystal in place.