Introducing The Artisans De Genève × Eliud Kipchoge: A Marathon-Ready 57g Titalum Chronograph
Eliud Kipchoge (41) is a legend. On October 12th, 2019, the Kenyan athlete became the first person to run a marathon distance in under two hours. He also competed in four Olympic Games and won two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze. Now, there are plenty of lightweight watches suited to demanding athletes. But if you like watches and none of those options suit your taste, it’s better to buy a watch, take a trip to Geneva, hand it over to a team of specialists, and tell them what you want. In a nutshell, that’s how the Artisans de Genève × Eliud Kipchoge came about. It’s a 57g Titalum chronograph with a transparent look and plenty of cool personalized details paying tribute to the athlete’s impressive career.
When Eliud Kipchoge reached out to Artisans de Genève to have a watch personalized, the Geneva-based customization experts were all ears. The Kenyan athlete wanted a watch that reflected his “no human is limited” vision and paid tribute to his career. The co-creation process revealed that the athlete and artisans shared a natural affinity for fine craftsmanship and excellence. Both the precision of watchmaking and the rigorous discipline of marathon running require the pursuit of perfection and pushing beyond one’s limits. As the first man to break the mythic sub-two-hour-marathon barrier, Kipchoge wanted this timepiece to embody a piece of his history, and the quest for lightness naturally became the guiding thread. His roots and the warm colors of Kenya’s flag were also fundamental inspirations throughout the customization process.
The Artisans de Genève × Eliud Kipchoge: a lightweight chronograph that goes the distance
What is essential when trying to cover a long distance in record time? The question seems simple, but it isn’t. Weight is important, but so is endurance. In other words, you need a strong and reliable “engine” in a body as light as possible. A marathon runner needs to be both powerful and lean. And the same goes for a watch made for the greatest marathon runner of all time, Eliud Kipchoge.
That’s why Artisans de Genève changed the mid-case of Kipchoge’s watch and crafted a bespoke housing from Titalum, an extra-light aluminum-titanium alloy. This unusual but intriguing choice resulted in the watch weighing just 57 grams.
What about the “engine”? Also here, weight loss is essential, but power loss is out of the question. AdG re-engineered the original automatic chronograph caliber 4130. Skeletonizing the movement and removing the rotor reduced both its weight and thickness. But removing the rotor also added something — a deeper connection with the watch forged through hand-winding. Being able to see it through the display case back also helps develop a strong appreciation for the micromechanical movement running the show. Speaking of running, the 4Hz column-wheel caliber has a sporty three-day power reserve, so daily winding isn’t necessary. Performance and usability are in perfect balance here.
Just look at/through it!
The Artisans de Genève × Eliud Kipchoge isn’t just light; it also looks light. That’s because the main dial is a transparent sapphire crystal that catches the light and reveals the skeletonized movement. Artisans de Genève also executed the bezel in transparent sapphire, allowing light to penetrate the smallest corners of the watch.
The use of very specific, Kenya-inspired colors further enhances the watch’s visual character. From the hands to the sub-dials, and through the subtle finishes of the case and movement, white, red, and green give this piece presence. At the same time, the distinct colorway pays homage to Kipchoge’s homeland. Furthermore, the green-glowing Super-LumiNova on the sub-dials and sapphire bezel’s numerals optimizes legibility and contributes to a dynamic, powerful look.
Run the lightning
I’m not a marathon runner, but the Artisans de Genève × Eliud Kipchoge resonates with me. I’m sure plenty of other watch enthusiasts dream of creating a one-of-a-kind watch that perfectly balances performance and personal storytelling. The idea that “no human is limited” also applies to the lightweight watch. When executed with as much thought, consideration, and expertise as the Artisans de Genève × Eliud Kipchoge, it’s uplifting and inspirational. I mean, who wouldn’t want to add a lightning-bolt-shaped central chronograph hand, a visual tribute to lightning’s speed and power, to a chronograph? It doesn’t have to be red, like Eliud Kipchoge wanted, but what about your color of choice? I’d love a khaki lightning-bolt-shaped central chronograph hand on my Speedy.
Anyway, if Eliud Kipchoge’s customized watch left you feeling inspired, and you have a watch that could serve as the canvas for something unique and personal, contact Artisans de Genève to see what is possible.
Artisans de Genève is an independent workshop that customizes watches at the request of their owners. It is not affiliated with or authorized by any watch brand. Trademarks are used solely for descriptive purposes in relation to the original watches. All modifications are made independently and without any approval from the original brand. Each customized watch is for private use only. The work presented was commissioned by a client and reflects only the company’s know-how; it does not constitute an offer.
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