Ebel 1911 Tekton Real Madrid chronograph

The recently introduced 1911 Tekton Real Madrid automatic chronograph is Ebel’s first watch that features a not so common bezel-less design. Unlike the vast majority of mechanical timepieces, the Real Madrid special edition model has no bezel at all, sporting in its stead a flat sapphire crystal, which is anchored to the case with six polished screws over an aluminum ring and gasket.

Well, I had a bezelless watch back in 1980s when I was a kid, but that was a not particularly expensive electronic timekeeper made in Hong-Kong.

The gadget looked cool, but its plastic “crystal” that was fixed to the body with four screws gave its first crack in about half a year after I purchased it.

What a sad story.

Ebel, however, was so impressed with the design idea that now the company plans to use similar construct in a number of other upcoming models.

And justly so: despite the lack of bezel, the new Ebel 1911 Tekton Real Madrid chronograph sports an impressive water resistance of 200 meters, beating a great lot of so called diving watches featuring more traditional, even “rugged” design.

For example, the last year’s Zodiac ZMX 03 chronograph diver will take a leak below the 110 meters mark and the gorgeous IWC Aquatimer Deep Two is rated at 120 meters, and even the ultra-luxury Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine Diver Titanium chronometer is on par with the watch in question.

The price of such an impressive water-tightness is the size of the hexagonal case. Even by today’s standards, the diameter of 48.5mm brings the watch to the category of mechanical wrist monsters. Thankfully, the body is made of feather-light titanium, so the watch will not be a burden.

The time machine is powered by Ebel’s new Cal. 245 movement. Based on the Ebel Caliber 137, it is developed and assembled solely in-house.

Featuring a chronograph complication with a 45 min counter, the caliber is reserved for their football-themed series of limited edition watches (we have already seen it in the Tektons built for Ajax Amsterdam, Arsenal FC, Bayern Munich FC, and Glasgow Rangers fans.)

The COSC-certified mechanism is said to be developed and assembled solely by Ebel, for good or for bad.

The 1911 Tekton’s production run is limited to 500 units.

Photos: Ebel

Ebel 1911 Tekton Real Madrid chronograph watch’s specification:

Price range: $10,000
Movement: Caliber 245, automatic, in-house
Complications: 45 min chronograph, date
Power reserve: N/A
Case material: Titanium
Case dimensions: 48.5 mm
Case height: 14.7 mm
Dial: Black
Water resistance: 200 m
Strap: Slate grey alligator strap
Crystal: Sapphire, AR-coated