Introducing: The Arion Delphinus — A Debut Watch With A Chronode Movement And A Case By Voutilainen & Cattin
Aim high. That’s what Arion’s founder, Eric Tillman, does. Meet the Arion Delphinus. It’s a debut watch with a seven-day manual Chronode movement housed in a 37 × 8.5mm titanium case made by Voutilainen & Cattin. What Tillman aims for with the Delphinus is to create a timeless, high-quality timepiece with an elegant twist and flair. The Melian Pearl variant, with its natural mother-of-pearl shades and patterns, is probably the best example of that goal. Having said that, the Ichthyian Silver and Aeolian Blue versions also flaunt a high degree of self-assured, individual style. There’s some mid-century nostalgia to enjoy with contemporary qualities.
With a 37mm case diameter and an 8.5mm thickness, the three variants of the debuting Arion Delphinus can be classified as dress watches. The design shows inspiration from the mid-20th century, spiced up with contemporary details. The 5atm water resistance is one of those, but there are more.
Introducing the Arion Delphinus: Voutilainen & Cattin, Chronode, and Delugs provide their expertise
For instance, the choice to use Grade 5 titanium for a dress watch is very modern. To ensure it was of the highest quality, Arion founder Eric Tillman had the specialists at Voutilainen & Cattin make it for him. At this case-making atelier, the lightweight yet highly durable titanium receives a polished finish with meticulous attention to detail.
The goal is to achieve a deep, arresting luster that resembles platinum. Having Voutilainen & Cattin make the slim, elegant, and featherlight case was a very smart choice. However, it does affect the price — more on that later. We must also look at the stunning movement that’s inside the three Delphinus iterations before we talk money.
Arion Delphinus Melian Pearl
The power source of the Delphinus is a bespoke variant of the Chronode seven-day manual-winding C101 base movement. This 3Hz, 29-jewel caliber boasts a 31.1mm diameter and a mere 3.98mm thickness. The movement is more than a source of power; it also serves as a canvas for masterful, artisanal decorations.
Through the case back’s sapphire window, curved Côtes de Genève, hand-applied anglage, and a striking sandblasted gold mainplate reveal themselves. If the decorations remind you of vintage pocket watches, you’re right. But Tillman didn’t want to copy decorations of the past. Instead, he wanted to add a new, distinct touch. And that’s where the Arion dolphins come in. You can see them on the ratchet wheels, and they are inspired by Rome’s Fontana del Pantheon.
A prototype movement without full decoration
The Arion Delphinus bespoke Delugs strap. The exterior is made of premium crocodile leather sourced from the animal’s flank. It shows a deep, glossy Lagoon Blue hue that pairs well with all three dial variants. The lining is in supple, light gray Chèvre leather, providing comfort and durability.
Arion Delphinus Aeolian Blue
Lustrous mother-of-pearl, sunburst silver, and glossy blue dials
As mentioned, the Delphinus comes in three variants — Melion Pearl, Ichthyian Silver, and Aeolian Blue. Ten pieces each will be produced. Whereas the Melion Pearl has a soft, natural hue and shine, the silver dial transitions from charcoal to lustrous silver. The blue dial aims to evoke the Mediterranean with its dynamic, bright-to-midnight-blue and navy hues.
On the dial, applied rhodium indexes complement the bespoke Delphinus dauphine handset and the serpentine small seconds hand. The bespoke typography is emulated from a 1776 poster for William Hamilton’s antiquities collection. It’s a subtle historical touch meant to add depth and character to the dial.
Production and price
Production of the three Delphinus variants will take eight months due to their high-end, custom-made nature. The watches also come with a seven-year warranty from the date of purchase. Speaking of that, it’s now time to talk about the price. The Delphinus Ichthyian Silver and Aeolian Blue will retail for US$24,000, while the Melian Pearl variant will cost US$28,000. No, these watches don’t come cheap, but since they also don’t look cheap and certainly aren’t cheap to produce, you can understand why. Those interested in purchasing one of the 30 total pieces can inquire via Arion’s official website.
Eric Tillman aimed high with his three Arion Delphinus creations, and judging from the pictures and specifications, it seems he hit the target. Whether it is a bullseye or not is something I’ll only be able to tell after handling the Delphinus. I hope to go hands-on with one because the watches look very promising. What are your thoughts? Please share them in the comments section below.
