This relatively new Chronoswiss Pacific Brown Dial (Ref. CH 2883 BR) offers a sporty, yet elegant design in a compact, well-executed body.

A Necessary Introduction

Chronoswiss introduced the Pacific collection about a year ago when the German brand presented a chronograph and a three-hander with date.

Both models arrived in the same stainless steel case 43 mm in diameter, but used different movements. The chronograph sported the robust ETA Valjoux 7750, and the three-hander featured a simpler (but even more statistically reliable) ETA 2892-A2 movement.

It looks like this year Chronoswiss decided to split the collection in two by introducing a smaller, dressier, only 40 mm in diameter version of the three-hand model, with the larger 43 mm models now transferred into the new Grand Pacific collection.

An interesting move, that.

The Automatic Caliber ETA 2892-A2

Like the older, bigger model, this new Chronoswiss Pacific Brown Dial, too, features the same self-winding Caliber ETA 2892-A2. Mostly because the dial layout remains the same.

There is nothing much to write about this movement. It features the industry-standard frequency of 28,800vph, is built on 21 jewels, and offers absolutely unremarkable power reserve of approximately 42 hours.

Judging by the look of it, Chronoswiss went for a higher-grade version of the caliber that they also equipped with a partially skeletonized oscillating weight that sports the easily-recognizable CR logo.

The Brown Dial

The dial is also not terribly original.

Its slightly revised minute track somehow reminds me of the 2011 Omega Hour Vision.

The skeletonized hands and faceted hour markers bring in associations with the recently updated IWC Ingenieur series.

If that doesn’t disturb you (why should it?), then this beautiful timepiece deserves to be added to a short list of Dress Watches with a Sporty Character That One Would Get for Christmas (or any other holiday designed to make you spend money).

The refreshed model also brings new colors: the new Ref. CH 2883 BR features a chocolate brown dial with a sunburst finish that nicely corresponds to a leather strap of almost the same color.

While many watchmakers that use third-party movements often install the calibers “as is,” this particular model has the standard black-on-white calendar wheel replaced for a white-on-brown that, to my taste, makes it look more thoroughbred. More expensive, if you wish.

The Price

I am not sure about the price (for some reason Chronoswiss ignored my request for comments, shame on them,) but can make an educated guess that it will cost around $3800 staying on par with the last year’s model of the same functionality.

UPDATE June 10th, 2011: I have just been informed that the watch is priced at €2490 and will go on sale by the end of the month. Considering the timekeeper’s technical specs and not terribly original styling, it is a bit overpriced, although it is always for the customer to make a final choice.

WWR’s Verdict

Originality 4/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Overall Legibility: 4.5/5
Nighttime Legibility: 4.5/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Photos: Chronoswiss

Chronoswiss Pacific CH 2883 BR specification

Price: €2490
Movement: Automatic, caliber ETA 2892-A2, Swiss Made
Jewels: 21
Cadence of balance: 28,800 vph
Movement decoration: Standard finish, branded oscillating weight
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case: Stainless steel
Shape: Round
Size: 40.00 mm
Dial: Brown, sun-burst pattern
Hands: Stainless steel, open-worked, luminous
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Brown leather
Crystal: Sapphire, domed, antireflective
Back: Sapphire