From virtual to reality
PROJECT 4 - CHRONO, Step 5
Published
We’ve arrived at the final chapter of this fabulous project before pre-orders, which will begin at the end of January. We’re crazy with delight here!
The prototypes have arrived!
They’re finally here! We received the prototypes a few days ago, and they really are exquisite. What a joy it is seeing this project go from virtual ideas to a reality. The prototyping phase is an important stage for performing extensive testing and adjusting the final details before production.
Exceptional movement, exceptional manufacturer
The development of a manufacture movement isn’t something you can just improvise. In addition, the chronograph is one of the most specialist watch complications. That’s why we’ve called on one of the best specialists in the field. Based in the heartland of Swiss watchmaking, the manufacturer Concepto was founded in 2006, and today boasts a team of 120 people to handle all of the watchmaking expertise in-house. In other words, we’re in safe hands.
Here’s the final collection, available for pre-order from January 27 2021
A dozen interchangeable straps will be available during pre-orders.
A1
2044
A2
2040
A3
1947
A4
1439
A5
1880
A6
1942
Total transparency on costs and origin
At the very start of the project, we estimated the cost of the movement to be around 550 CHF for the simple customization of an existing movement. In the end, this cost has almost doubled, but we must say that we’ve really indulged ourselves in making this movement quite simply exceptional, for example by adding a peripheral weight on the dial side. It’s a rarely seen feature that normally means a stratospheric price for the piece! The magic and value for money of the NB24 chronograph is quite simply unbeatable.
Costs and origin for NB24 titane
Why is the NB24 watch cheaper than the X41?
Since the beginning at CODE41, the retail price has always been a direct reflection of the costs of production, rather than a result of market positioning. We’re committed to staying by your side and every day we’re fighting to get the best value for money, with any savings passed on directly in the retail price. A big hello, by the way, to Valérien, the director of Concepto, who’ll back me up on that last point, as we’ve had multiple tense conversations about prices 😉
Whether it’s the X41 or the NB24, in both cases we’re talking about Fine Watchmaking movements. But even though our chronograph might be more complex, we’ve ended up with a much lower cost of production because it’s one of Concepto’s specialties. So we benefit from economy of scale with a good number of the parts also used in their other movements. Otherwise, the price of the NB24 movement would be 3 to 4 times more expensive.
Schedule
Step 1, April 29, 2020Project launch
Step 2, July 10, 2020Presentation of first designs
Step 3, September 16, 2020Evolution of the design and color research
Step 4, October 21, 2020Focus on the details
Step 5, January 07, 2021Receipt of prototypes
Step 6, January 27, 2021Launch of pre-orders
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