Cimier Retrograde Automatic with power reserve

As usual, there was a torrent of new models at this year’s Basel trade fair and the Retrograde automatic watch with power reserve indicator was among them. Made by a rather obscure Swiss brand Cimier, the watch features an elegant, classic design reminding of times when cars were made mostly of wood and steel and powered by huge 6.75-liter engines.

Frankly speaking, I really like this unit. Although its dial is too busy with day, date and power reserve indicators, and it looks like the watch is completely machine-made, there is something about it that just makes you wanting to get one.

Its hour and minute hands are not very contrasting and there will surely be some issues with legibility in certain lighting conditions, but the timepiece nevertheless looks like it was born 70 years ago, before the Great Depression.

The Cimier Retrograde is powered by Soprod 9094 movement, which is based on the omnipresent ETA 2892 ebauche but sports a retrograde date and power reserve complications at an affordable price. The movement is protected by a 42mm stainless steel case with domed sapphire crystal and a transparent caseback.

It is available in two versions -with silvered or rhodium plated dial- and is water resistant to healthy 50 meters.

Cimier Retrograde watch’s specification :

Price range: About €4,000
Movement: Soprod 9094, automatic, 30 jewels
Complications: Retrograde date, day of the week, power reserve
Power reserve: N/A
Case material: Stainless steel, transparent caseback
Case dimensions: 42 mm
Case height: N/A
Dial: Silver or rhodium
Water resistance: 50m
Strap: Crocodile with folding clasp
Crystal: Sapphire, domed