Cimier Retrograde Automatic with power reserve

Last Match, during the Baselworld 2009 international trade show in Basel, Switzerland, the local watch maker has presented its new Cimier Retrograde automatic watch with retrograde annual calendar and power reserve indicators.

As usual, there was a torrent of new models at this year’s Basel trade fair and the Cimier Retrograde automatic watch with power reserve indicator was among them.

Made by a rather obscure Swiss brand Cimier that was established in 1924, but is still to become a legend of the watchmaking world, the watch features an elegant, classic design reminding of times when cars were made mostly of wood and steel and were put into motion by huge 6.75-liter engines that offered less torque and horsepower than contemporary 1.6-liter jobs.

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, even on a version with a charcoal grey rhodium-plated dial, and there will surely be some issues with legibility in certain lighting conditions, but the timepiece nevertheless looks like it was born (or, at least, conceived) 70 years ago, before the Great Depression ruined so many lives and businesses.

On the technical side the watch is also not particularly brilliant.

The Cimier Retrograde Automatic is powered by Soprod 9094 self-winding movement, which is based on the omnipresent ETA 2892 ebauche with a piggy-back retrograde date and power reserve module put on its front.

Although making the movement harder to service, this solution gives you what many customers are looking for: a set of flashy complications offered at an affordable price.

The movement is protected by a beautifully shaped 42mm stainless steel case with domed sapphire crystal and a transparent case back.

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

Photos: Cimier

Cimier Retrograde Automatic Watch with Power Reserve and Annual Calendar specification

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