1941 Grönograaf Tantalum

A watch from the Grönefeld brothers is always worth the wait. This latest addition to their catalogue, the 1941 Grönograaf Tantalum, confirms their immense talent. It is also the first Grönefeld chronograph, crafted in the grand tradition with a column wheel and lateral clutch but with a subtle difference revealed by the two solid gold weights which are visible at the 4 o’clock position. Ordinarily, resetting a chronograph generates potentially damaging forces. The Grönefelds have overcome this using a centrifugal governor, typically seen on a minute repeater, to slow the reset function. Another novel feature is that the chronograph hands take the shortest route back to zero, clockwise or counter-clockwise, through heart-shaped cams. Next to the 30-minute counter at 6 o’clock is a small seconds subdial, and above that, at 11 o’clock, a sector for the power-reserve indication. Finishing is to a consistently high standard. In addition to this 25-piece limited edition in tantalum, the brothers are releasing 188 pieces in steel.