Newer watchmaker Kennsen gives up an fascinating and authentic timepiece idea on this Swiss Made Kennsen Annual Calendar Chronograph. The thought begins with an unique (and patented) in-house-developed module that turns the Swiss ETA Valjoux 7750 computerized chronograph motion into an annual calendar motion. The result’s a roughly $5,000 product with a stage of high quality and complication usually present in costlier timepieces. From a price perspective, there’s a lot to love in regards to the Kennsen Annual Calendar Chronograph. The product isn’t good, however let’s check out why the model is so happy with this product.
The Valjoux 7750 motion, by default, has a day/date calendar system that doesn’t observe a 31-day cycle and whose accuracy should be adjusted every month. Annual calendars are these which compensate for the totally different months of 28, 30, and 31 days and solely have to be adjusted on leap years by which February has a 29-day month. Annual calendars are among the many extra sensible “larger issues” on the market as a result of they’re less complicated to assemble than perpetual calendars (which take leap years into consideration) and they’re much more handy than “conventional calendars” (like that within the inventory 7750).
This isn’t the primary time I’ve seen firms construct an annual calendar off a 7750 or one other motion that serves as a base. Producing a brand new motion from the bottom up is a particularly time-consuming and costly ordeal. It’s wiser for smaller operations to switch or construct modules on high of current, strong motion platforms. Kennsen calls its module + 7750 combo the caliber KV775C. It provides a 1.3mm-thick module on high of the again 7750, which modifies the calendar system and additional provides a discreet day/evening indicator.
Principally, with a view to regulate the calendar, you need to regulate it ahead. The precept of the module is that two concentric date wheels, together with obligatory gearing, supply two home windows on the dial for the month and date. Relatively than have these home windows on two planes, they’re stage with one another however one window (the month) is positioned very near the central palms axis level on the dial. Let’s simply say that I haven’t seen this specific configuration earlier than. Simply to the best of the 15-minute place on the higher chronograph subdial is a small AM/PM (day/evening) indicator window. This turns from black to white (and vice versa) and the time goes from AM to PM and, frankly, I like this complication so much.
The KV775C motion additionally has a customized Kennsen computerized rotor and, is in accordance with the model, adjusted to “higher than” chronometric efficiency. There are additionally different aesthetic enhancements, similar to new screws and extra motion floor sharpening. What I discover good is that, regardless of the presence of the annual calendar module, the motion nonetheless operates at 4Hz with 48 hours of energy reserve. The motion in its glory will be seen by way of the rear of the watch — however sadly, there isn’t a view of the module system which makes this product unique.
The issue with the module over the motion is that tends to make the watch very thick. For me, that is the most important difficulty within the Kennsen Annual Calendar Chronograph — and that’s how the comparatively traditional/conventional aesthetics are attempting to play good with the beefier proportions of the case. Kennsen has achieved a good job, however a educated collector’s eye will instantly see how some components of the watch look too giant for different components.
The metal case itself is properly polished (Kennsen says a lot of it’s polished by hand) and water-proof to 50 meters. It’s 42mm-wide and a relatively thick 13.4mm; it has a lug-to-lug distance of 49mm. The Annual Calendar Chronograph is greater than wearable, however it does really feel giant on the wrist, given the aesthetic theme the piece goes for. A few of this may very well be remedied by a redesign of the dial. It doesn’t seem that Kennsen could make the case any thinner, on account of the conventional thickness of the motion. So, what they will do as the simplest repair for this difficulty is to create a brand new, extra fashionable design for the dial which enhances the look of the thicker case. What I imagine we have now on this model of the Annual Calendar Chronograph is a little bit of a mismatch due to what the dial needs to be and what the case is.
Kennsen gives the dial in two colours — polished black and “palladium.” The black one is a little more traditional and it’s engaging with a higher-level chapter ring and good general proportions. I do take difficulty with the polished metal palms, which inevitably disappear in opposition to the polished dial too usually. That is a particularly widespread mistake that may be fastened by making the palms much less polished or merely simply white in colour to match the hour markers. Over the dial of the watch is a domed, AR-coated sapphire crystal. Connected to the case is a supple black (or brown with the opposite dial) alligator strap.
Kennsen clearly did their homework relating to the design of the Annual Calendar Chronograph watch on paper, however as is commonly the case, extra refinements have to be made as soon as a watch is placed on the wrist. An ideal instance is the design of the chronograph pushers and crown. The bigger, angular chronograph pushers are a part of one other difficulty which makes greedy and pulling out the crown troublesome. Proper now, the crown is relatively troublesome to seize to wind or pull out to place one or two. The repair to this, a unique crown is clearly wanted — and this isn’t one thing that a pc render would be capable to determine. Little doubt Kennsen is devoted to the Annual Calendar Chronograph, which is why I’m assured they’ll refine these points with this in any other case spectacular watch within the close to future.
Effectively-made, intelligently conceived, and stuffed with worth, the Kennsen Annual Calendar Chronograph is a candy instance of what can come from a extra nimble and entrepreneurial aspect of the standard Swiss watch business. Current craftsmanship with new ranges of agility helps manufacturers like Kennsen develop and launch. None of those manufacturers can shortcut the effort and time it takes to correctly design and refine a watch. I’m actually pleased to see the place Kennsen is at this level, and I sit up for seeing what they do subsequent. Value for the Kennsen Annual Calendar Chronograph watch is 5,180 Swiss Francs. Be taught extra on the Kennsen web site right here.
Needed Information
>Model: Kennsen
>Mannequin: Annual Calendar Chronograph
>Value: 5,180 Swiss Francs
>Dimension: 42mm-wide, 13.4mm-thick, and 49mm lug-to-lug distance.
>When reviewer would personally put on it: When wanting to point out off a novel annual calendar system to fellow watch lovers that comes at worth.
>Buddy we’d advocate it to first: Mechanical complication fan with huge wrists and conservative tastes who, however, likes to eschew identify manufacturers.
>Greatest attribute of watch: Good construct high quality and ornament, general. Annual calendar system over base 7750 computerized chronograph works fairly properly. Numerous fascinating novelty to construct off of.
>Worst attribute of watch: Legibility is hampered by palms which might be too polished. Case and dial dimension proportions merge awkwardly. Total case is simply too giant for aesthetic theme of dial. Crown is troublesome to totally function.
