Swiss Watches
Among all Cimier models, their 1961 collection consists of a number of true masterpieces. And the new Cimier Petite Seconde Venom (Ref. 6102-BP021) model is one of the most interesting in this series. Created together with Jorg Stiel, who played as a goalkeeper for the Swiss national soccer team, this eclectic watch combines constrained elegance of the dial with screaming luxury of the yellow python strap.
The funny thing here is that, while the watch is menacingly called “Venom,” python is a non-venomous snake. Okay, never mind.
The contrast is further enhanced with the yellow-painted hour, minute and small-second hands with the latter positioned rather unusually at 10 o’clock, like it is the case with the rest of the Cimier Petite Seconde family.
The winding crown is located at 4 o’clock, not only visually balancing the small seconds indicator (I must admit that I am really impressed of how nicely the visual line between the crown and the sub-dial is drawn through the geometric center of the watch with the imaginary line supported by the thin hour markers on the chapter ring and indices on the small seconds ring,) but also making the watch more comfortable to wear and to operate when needed without taking it off your wrist.
Regrettably, the yellow substance that covers the hand seems to be just a normal paint: it doesn’t glow in darkness and reading the watch at night or, say, in an IMAX theater may be a problem.
Like many recently introduced timekeepers with a small seconds display, the new Cimier Petite Seconde Venom is powered not with an ETA abauche, but rather by the good old Unitas 6497 hand-wound pocket watch caliber. Known for its robustness, the mechanism is often installed in watches designed for pilots, drivers, officers and all sorts of law enforcement agents. It is also quite massive measuring almost 37 millimeters in size, so Cimier’s designers were forced to make the watch rather large (well, maybe “forced” is.)
According to official specs, its round case measures 43 mm in diameter.
Still, there is a small caveat here. Although the black glossy surface of the watch looks like a scratch-resistant DLC coating -a finishing technique that creates over a treated surface a layer of carbon that is almost as hard as a diamond-, the body of the timepiece is in fact covered with black PVD, which is more prone to occasional scratches. On the other hand, the choice of finish allowed the Swiss-based brand to slightly reduce the recommended street price of the timepiece.
However, the movement is nicely decorated featuring blackened bridges with Geneva stripes, as well as polished and blued screw heads making it a real pleasure to look at. The sapphire crystal that covers the watch is decorated with Jorg Stiel’s facsimile.
Waste the original “genuine python” leather strap in favor of a black alligator or may be even black rubber and you will have yourself a gorgeous piece of luxury at an affordable price of €1560.
The series is limited to only 200 units, so you should probably act quick if you want to get one of those beauties.
WWR Verdict
Originality 4/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Overall Legibility: 4.5/5
Nighttime Legibility: 4/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4/5
See also: Cimier Retrograde Automatic with power reserve
Photos: Cimier
Cimier Petite Seconde Venom hand-wound watch specification
Price range: €1560 (MSRP)
Movement: Caliber Unitas 6497, manual (hand-wound,) Swiss Made
Jewels: 17
Cadence of balance: 21,600 vph
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds
Power reserve: 56 hours
Case material: Stainless steel
Case size: 43.00 mm
Case height: No data
Dial: Black with yellow hands
Water resistance: 50 meters
Strap: Yellow python leather on a steel folding clasp
Strap width: 21.00 mm
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Sapphire