Spyker Chronograph Watches Revealed

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed)
May 17th 2010 at 6:02PM

We recently discussed the upcoming new watch collection by Dutch car company Spyker. There are now more details about the watches, and I think they are going to be interesting for fans of the brand. Until recently, I thought that Spyker was just another cool high-end boutique car maker that released a few new models each decade for the privileged. Their cars are quite special, having a neat, vintage character to them in an entirely modern package. Some of their designs (especially the interiors) verge on steampunk. Then I got the seemingly strange news that Spyker has purchased Saab. I really had no idea how a small Dutch car maker was able to buy the failing ex-Swedish, Swedish car brand from GM. Was it a brilliant move for the brand's future, or a bite bigger than they can chew? We will have to find out.

Gallery: Spyker Chronograph Watches

In addition to its automotive plans, the brand has partnered with a company called Expressions d'Artistes International to make Spyker branded watches. The first of these timepieces will be the Spyker Chronograph, and come in a few varieties. The complex looking 44mm wide case will come in at least four materials. Above is one in PVD black coated titanium. There will also be versions in steel, 18k rose gold, and the rarely used 18k gray gold. You can see the gallery for more versions.

The design of the watch all over is heavily inspired by the brand's automobiles. You can see cues all over the pieces that can be found in the cars such as the quilted style stitching on the leather straps (like the car's seats), the perlage polish on the dial (like on the car's dashboards), the chronograph subdials that resemble the car's instrument gauges, the automatic rotor that looks like a spoked racing wheel, and more - even down to the hour markers. It is no accident that this watch is meant to be worn in combination with the brand's fine custom cars.

Inside the watch is an automatic chronograph movement with a power reserve indicator complication. It is a modified and decorated Swiss ETA 7750 movement. You can see the movement through the sapphire caseback window. As a timepiece, the Spyker Chronograph is no mere novelty. It is going to be priced at between $9,750 (in steel) up to $30,500 (in rose gold), with some pricing in between. While it does not have the hallmarks of a very serious item of haute horology, it should satisfy watch lovers who are interested in a Spyker themed timepiece, as well as buyers of the cars who want the ultimate accessory for their new polished metal rides. Spyker watches are going to be made entirely in Switzerland, and the watches are to be limited edition, with 100 pieces per style.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: chronograph, limited edition, spyker, watch