Introducing: The Chronoswiss Opus Chronograph Purple Rain

Thirty years ago, Chronoswiss founder Gerd Rüdiger Lang created a watch that earned itself a place in the history books. The 1995 38mm Opus CH 7523 was the first serially produced self-winding skeletonized chronograph. The watch was powered by a heavily modified Valjoux 7750 movement and was voted “Watch of the Year” by the readers of the German magazine Armbanduhren the following year. After a lengthy absence, it returned to the Chronoswiss catalog in 2020 in a 41mm case. The Chronoswiss Opus Chronograph Purple Rain is a limited edition tribute watch of 30 pieces commemorating the 30^th anniversary of the open-worked chronograph that wrote history.

I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say the 1995 Chronoswiss Opus CH 7523 was an essential watch for the world of watchmaking. Not only was it the first of its kind, but its nature also has significance. The Quartz Crisis was still a vivid memory, and the world of emotional mechanical watches was still in its infancy. The idea of mechanical watches being more than functional timing objects was still relatively new. A chronograph with an automatic movement, with all its moving parts and beating “heart” on full display, served as an ambassador for all mechanical watches. It was a window on the complicated and fascinating world of mechanical watches. The flamboyant chronograph helped spark renewed interest in artisanal watchmaking, benefiting the industry. You could see the watch as an exhibitionist poster boy for the whole watchmaking industry.

The Chronoswiss Opus Chronograph Purple Rain is a princely tribute watch

Chronoswiss decided to create a tribute watch that’s impossible to overlook to honor an essential timepiece that deserves more mainstream recognition. The Opus Chronograph Purple Rain (€16.200/US$17,700/CHF14,600) shows a bold colorway that has you burst out in song the moment you see it, and sparks your horological heart; a skeleton watch does have that effect.

The new Opus shares its mechanical transparency, depth, and presence with the original watch. What it adds to the concept are color and light. The 41mm case in grade 5 titanium turns purple with the help of radiant CVD coating. The skeletonized dial shows matching colors, and to enhance the visual effect of the watch, the bridges and gears of the C.741S automatic chronograph caliber show a ruthenium black coating.

The movement offers a 46-hour power reserve, central chronograph seconds, 30-minute and 12-hour counters, small seconds, and an analog date. One of the most notable features and achievements of every Opus creation is that, despite the open-worked nature of the watch, all the indications are seamlessly integrated into the layout and are easy to read. The Opus is not just a watch spectacle for your entertainment; it will also serve you as a timing instrument.

I’m unsure if I can say the same about the white leather strap. This strap has an unexpected trick up its sleeve: it glows in the dark. The strap reacts to UV exposure, turning from crisp white to glowing purple when the lights go out.

Very Chronoswiss

No matter the unorthodox color, the newest Opus is still very much a Chronoswiss. The signature onion crown, coin-edged bezel, and lug shape are unmistakable. The Opus Purple Rain is an evolved symbol of modern mechanical watchmaking. It is daring and bold in its princely purple attire, but the original was never a wallflower.

In 1995, Chronoswiss dared to present a watch that exposed itself to the world so it would take notice of its traditional artistry. Its traditional craftsmanship deserved to be seen, appreciated, and thrive in an electronic world. The 2025 creation proves the timeless strength of the concept and adds panache. It does so in the shape of a daring color and “crazy” feature, the luminescent strap. Maybe in another 30 years, we’ll review a Chronoswiss that pays tribute to a purple, glow-in-the-dark skeletonized chronograph that earned its place in watchmaking history.