This week’s watchmaking icon feature by expert Gisbert L. Brunner is the Regulator from Chronoswiss, the German manufacturer founded by Gerd R. Lang in the early 1980s.

The watch’s movement is derived from the precise mechanical devices more commonly found in observatories – its sole purpose the measurement of time in the most accurate way possible.



After an intensive development period Lang, who’d already worked for the legendary Jack Heuer, at last produced the first wristwatch with a ‘Regulator’ movement. Hence the name. Its unique construction led to the highly unusual arrangement of three dials, each carrying one hand (for seconds, minutes and hours).

The first edition of the Chronoswiss Regulator was announced in 1988, as a hand-wound watch with a proprietary – yet much modified – Unitas movement. As this limited edition soon sold out, an automatic version was produced in 1990. The very small production runs ensure a high degree of collectability.

Next week: The original Heuer Carrera

Icons of watchmaking history -

No. 1: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

No. 2: Breitling Navitimer

No. 3: Bvlgari-Bvlgari by Bvlgari

No. 4: Cartier Santos


Text: Gisbert L. Brunner
Photo: Chronoswiss