Chronoswiss Goes For The Gold With The New Opus Dakar Sundown And Pulse GMT Frosted Guilloché Gold
Chronoswiss is a sneaky brand! Nod off for too long, and there’s a good chance that the Swiss independent will have released something intriguing. In today’s case, there are two very different debuts in the Opus and Pulse lines. However, one trait or material exists as a common theme. Our favorite metal, gold, comes into play. While that means these pieces tend toward luxury-level pricing, they’re worthy additions to the brand’s already respectable catalog.
The latest Chronoswiss releases are a chronograph and a GMT. The former has a more traditional case design that longtime fans of the brand will instantly recognize. The latter uses the more modern styling we’ve come to enjoy in the Pulse series. In my view, both are lovely and use solid gold as a medium quite effectively.
The Chronoswiss Opus Dakar Sundown
The first watch on today’s docket is the Chronoswiss Opus Dakar Sundown. This one features a 41 × 14.8mm case comprised of 23 pieces. The mid-case and screw-in case back are crafted from stainless steel. By contrast, the bezel, characteristic onion crown, pump pushers, and inner tension ring are crafted from 21.4 grams of 18K pink gold. The watch has a water resistance rating of 50 meters and features a curved sapphire crystal. A sand-colored nubuck strap with a discreet push-button stainless steel folding clasp completes the package.
In previous articles, we’ve discussed open dials at length, and while these are currently very trendy, Chronoswiss has aptly delivered on this style for years. The Opus Dakar Sundown is a lovely example of how the brand blends traditional styling with modernity. The hands are decidedly old-world, but the brown details and CVD-plated movement exude a contemporary colorway deserving of the model’s name. Four sub-dials display the running seconds, a 30-minute totalizer, the date, and a 12-hour counter.
Caliber C.741S
Chronoswiss uses the C.741S automatic movement, which is a highly modified ETA 7750. As mentioned before, it has been heavily enhanced with skeletonization and finishing. Details include a barely-there gold-plated rotor with Côtes de Genève, polished components, perlage, and galvanic black coating. Performance includes a 28,800vph frequency and a 46-hour power reserve. At €29,000, the Opus Dakar Sundown is definitely a luxurious option, but I find it much more interesting than most mainstream bicolor chronographs. For more information, visit the brand’s official website.
The Chronoswiss Pulse GMT Frosted Guilloché Gold
Whereas the Opus Dakar Sundown represents the brand’s historic designs, the new Pulse GMT Frosted Guilloché Gold is part of a more modern line. The Pulse debuted in early 2025 with an integrated bracelet. Today’s model is the first to trade metal for rubber. Perhaps this is because the 41 × 46.27mm case is made of 48 grams of 5N gold. Besides, there’s a full-gold model with a different dial if additional heft is desired. Additionally, the watch has a 50m water resistance rating and a 13mm thickness.
Aside from the rubber strap, the defining characteristic of this model is its new dial. For the first time, Chronoswiss performs hand guilloché on the brass dial base and sandblasts the surface with fine corundum particles. This creates a sparkling finish, and galvanic nickel adds the hue. It’s a lovely result and definitely a different take on a desirable complication. What’s more, there are now three Pulse GMT references, each with a distinct dial surface design.
The proprietary automatic C.6002
Chronoswiss partnered with La Joux-Perret to create the proprietary ruthenium-plated C.6002. This automatic caliber powers a central minutes-and-seconds display along with two sub-dials. The left indicator has a 24-hour time scale for the traveler’s destination. A corresponding right-side sub-dial shows the home time. Often, brands attempt to reinvent the wheel on well-known complications, and it’s not always successful. Here, Chronoswiss has created a legible, sensible take on the globetrotter’s watch. Aside from this, the movement has a 55-hour power reserve and a 28,800vph frequency.
Unlike the earlier chronograph, the Pulse GMT Frosted Guilloché Gold is not a regular-production model. Chronoswiss will produce 50 examples, and each will include its individual number on the dial. Of course, the gold content contributes heavily to the €46,500 price tag. Still, the Pulse GMT Frosted Guilloché Gold is a lovely piece, and I’d love to try it on for size.
Final thoughts
With today’s pair of new gold-toned pieces, Chronoswiss continues to add attractive watches to its portfolio. Yes, they’re exclusive and perhaps not always cross-shopped against everyday names. But that’s one reason why we enjoy watches. It’s the small brands that bring variety and creativity when everything else starts to look similar. I happen to like both of these watches and think that Chronoswiss created two well-thought-out models. Let us know your thoughts on them in the comments section below.
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