Introducing The Delma Heritage Chronograph LE (Price, Pictures and Specifications)
In 1946 Delma released its first chronograph at a time when wristwatches were previously seen as exclusive professional instruments for aviators, racers and military men. Recorded under the name Midland, the classic 18-karat yellow gold chronograph equipped with a mechanical hand-winding movement signifies the beginning of Delma’s sports watch collection. 75 years later, Delma is celebrating the development in popularity and everlasting style of this classic timepiece with tribute to its original design and pioneering functionality.
The Delma Heritage Chronograph LE Bicompax Chronograph joins the collection in 2021 in invigorated yet classic form. Limited to only 75 pieces per model in recognition of this milestone, it maintains essential characteristics of the original and features a Tachymeter and Telemeter, now powered by an automatic movement.
While today, a chronograph wristwatch is seen as an aesthetic enhancement to stylish attire, albeit with practical applications, that was not always the case. In the days Delma’s first chronograph was brought to market, the measurement abilities were sought after by consumers for their precious unmatched functionality.
Counting minutes and seconds with accessible, portable convenience meant daily activities such as correspondence, competitions and travel were more accurate and measurable.
The bespoke Tachymeter was used to calculate speed, specifically units per hour. While today such measurements are readily presented to us with various electronic instruments, this scale preceded them by using a fixed marker to give an accurate measurement of the rate of travel of a car, train or even a plane.
The Telemeter, featured on the inner ring of the perimeter was innovated to measure the distance between the timepiece and a visual element through the speed of sound, a prime example being the proximity of lightning through the measurement of its visual appearance and the thunder heard. While this may seem novel today, this functionality was crucial on the battlefield and in various other applications.
A further nostalgic element is the three elongated lines on the minute counter at 3, 6 and 9 minutes, originally used to time phone calls at payphones as they would end in 3-minute intervals (if no further money were inserted).
While the new limited-edition Heritage is undoubtedly a revival of a historic chronograph, it is also subtly enhanced with new design elements and materials. Cathedral shaped hour and minute hands in a blued finish with old radium luminous markers have been introduced to yellow gold and rose gold PVD case varieties.
A new black dialed version features stainless steel hands with C3 SuperLuminova. The central seconds hand rotates through the enlarged and luminous Arabic numerals now displayed in a slightly bolder, modernized typeface.
Delma Heritage Chronograph Limited Edition
Technical specifications:
Case: 43mm polished stainless steel, yellow or rose gold PVD case. Thickness 15.7mm. Domed sapphire crystal.
Dial: Sunray-brushed dial with two circular guilloche-pattern counters, Tachymeter and Telemeter. Stainless steel or blued cathedral shaped minute and hour hand, central seconds hand. Arabic numerals, minute and hour hands with SuperLuminova. Date window at 6 o'clock.
Movement:
· Automatic Sellita SW510 Bicompax chronograph movement
· Small seconds at 9 o'clock, 30 minutes at 3 o'clock, Date at 6 O’clock
· Delma customized rotor visible through transparent case back.
Water resistance: 100m / 330ft.
Bracelet: Genuine leather strap in black, blue or brown with folding clasp with pushers.
Box: Delma natural wooden box.
The price for the Delma Heritage Chronograph LE is CHF 2,400 / EUR 2,600 / USD 2,750 for the stainless-steel version and CHF 2,500 / EUR 2,700 / USD 2,850 for the yellow gold / rose gold PVD version. The watch is limited edition to 75 pieces per model.
