Eberhard & Co Champion V Grande Date Automatic Chronograph

Unveiled during the Baselworld 2012 show, Eberhard & Co Champion V Grande Date (ref. 31063) automatic chronograph sports a clean, easy-on-the-eyes design, comes in a flawlessly proportioned case almost 43 mm in diameter and is equipped with a self-winding movement developed and assembled by La Joux-Perret, a Swiss-based maker of blank calibers that was recently bought by the Japanese brand Citizen.

Contents hide

1. The First Impression

6. Eberhard & Co Champion V Grande Date Chronograph 31063 specification

The First Impression

Although some persons may say that the new Champion V Grande Date is a “rip-off” of the current Chopard Classic Racing family (namely, the ref. 158982-3006 chronograph in stainless steel,) I would say that the new model is also a logical evolution of Eberhard‘s own collection of chronographs.

Putting it straight, I would argue that the chronograph is inspired by their Tazio Nuvolari collection.

At least, the new watch, too, features a tachymeter scale on its anodized bezel (although this one is graded in kilometers, not in miles) and offers similarly shaped hands that feature long patches of white Superluminova on them.

However, while the Tazio Nuvolari was more vintage in its exterior styling, this new model is decisively modern.

The Dial

The effect was achieved thanks to a new font face, bolder numerals, and more contemporary combinations of colors. The bright red accents strategically placed over the black-and-white background giving it a deliciously modern look. There are also versions with black and blue dials, but they are not as appealing to my taste.

The choice of the typeface makes the dial a lot more legible compared to your average “classic” chronograph. The “Grande” date is not that large as one might have expected, but it is still more readable than the usual calendar with a single ring and a tiny aperture.

A bit wider strips of Superluminova on the hands would have probably made the watch even more readable at night, but they still do a fairly good job.

Also, thanks to a slightly larger case, slightly thinner bezel, and slightly smaller chronograph sub-dials, the dial looks less cluttered. All elements of the dial have more air to breathe and the small seconds display with its thick black rim, while dominating the view, doesn’t look too heavy at all.

The Case

The 43-millimeter stainless steel case is just large enough for the chronograph to be considered “sporty.” It isn’t as obnoxiously huge as models from other “small” brands.

Its only problem is that it is a bit generic: there is nothing interesting about the shape of the lugs, or the nothings on the crowd, or the appearance of the push-pieces. Just a normal modern case.

The Mechanism

According to the brand’s press release, the Champion V Grande Date sports the new LJP 8210 self-winding caliber. Developed and manufactured by La Joux-Perret (although truth be told, some people refer to the mechanism as an “ETA 7750 clone”), the movement features a pretty standard combination of functions, including a chronograph with a 60-minute and 12-hour counters, a small seconds display, as well as a big date indicator at 3 o’clock.

Although not as visually appealing as Glashutte Original’s famous Panorama Date complication module, the big date indicator still looks both elegant and highly usable, since the Arabic numerals that are painted on its pair of disks are indeed easy to read and, um, big.

The Straps

The watch will arrive either on a stainless steel Chablis bracelet with a folding clasp or on a leather strap. Offering personalized “E&C” steel buckle and contrasting stitching, the leather strap isn’t as practical as the bracelet, but it surely does look better with this version.

The First Impression

The Dial

The Case

The Mechanism

The Straps

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Eberhard & Co Champion V Grande Date Chronograph 31063 specification