The Swiss NB24 chronograph from CODE41 is back on pre-order for a second edition. An exceptional project that once again demonstrates that the young brand is not at all faint-hearted when it comes to reimagining Swiss Fine Watchmaking. So ready yourselves in the starting blocks, because the NB24 will be here from today (November 24) for 3 weeks only.
NB24, a successful first edition
Upon its launch in January 2021, the NB24 chronograph from CODE41 met with phenomenal success. And with good reason; this piece is just like the Swiss brand’s other projects: ambitious, innovative, and of a seldom-seen technical nature. With its skeleton design, inspired by the legendary 7750 movement, this chronograph watch is like no other.
9 months: that’s the time the team needed to see this project through from its genesis in April 2020. Development took place, as always, with the cooperation of their community, who were able to take part in both technical and esthetic decisions. The members, however, are neither experts nor professionals in the field of watchmaking, simply enthusiasts happy to have finally found a brand that listens to their desires.
So the NB24 Creator Edition was launched earlier in the year, in January 2021, when 1,380 watches were sold during pre-orders, for a total of 5,298,394 CHF! A level of enthusiasm that went far beyond the CODE41 team’s expectations, leaving them facing deep disappointment from the many members who’d not had the chance to get their hands on a watch.
Luckily for them, they won’t have to wait very long to try their luck again, since the brand has decided to launch the second edition of the NB24 from November 24!
A chronograph in its purest expression
One thing is sure: lovers of mechanical watchmaking are certain to succumb to the charm of the NB24. This skeleton watch distinguishes itself through a strong, sporty esthetic, which subtly accentuates the movement without hiding its performance.
CODE41 based its architecture on the “Valjoux” 7750, a celebrated automatically-rewinding chronograph movement, renowned for decades for its robustness and reliability. Of course, the brand paid particular attention to both the design and the features while making significant changes.
And so the bridges were redesigned and the two chronograph counters moved; the 30-minute disc can be found at 6 o’clock, and the second disc at 3 o’clock. Note also that of the 326 components, only the mainspring and the 35 jewels come from abroad; everything else was designed, produced and assembled in Switzerland.
And as if that wasn’t enough, the NB24 has been fitted with a peripheral oscillating weight visible on the dial side, a real little technological gem that alone bears witness to the immense value of the watch. In fact, ordinarily, this feature can only be found on rare examples of Fine Watchmaking, and even then at very high prices. What’s more, here it represents a full third of the watch’s production costs!
When quality, technicality and high performance are as one
The NB24’s case comes in a single size, 42mm. In terms of material, future purchasers will have the choice between two options, each of equal quality: AeroCarbon and grade 5 titanium
L’AeroCarbon est un carbone aéronautique haute densité : son procédé de fabrication l’a rendu 2,5 fois plus résistant en flexion que l’acier, et 2 fois plus léger que le titane. Autrement dit, ce qu’il se fait de mieux en matière de carbone ! Le titane grade 5 offre pour sa part une dureté 2 fois supérieure à l’acier et un détail très fin au niveau des finitions.
AeroCarbon is a high-density carbon fiber used in aeronautics; it’s production process makes it 2.5 times more resistant to bending than steel, and 2 times lighter than titanium. In other words, the best there is when it comes to carbon fiber! As for grade 5 titanium, it offers double the durability of steel and very fine detail in terms of finishing touches.
The launch of pre-orders
The NB24 Edition 2 will be available for pre-order from today (November 24) to December 16, 2021, inclusive. Prices start from USD$4688, unbelievably low for such a technical timepiece! The brand plans for delivery to take place in October 2022.
What about “Swiss Made”? This is another area in which CODE41 distinguishes itself from the rest. In fact, almost 85 per cent of the watch’s value comes from Switzerland, a very rare achievement, while the law only requires a minimum of 60 per cent to qualify for the label.
And yet the brand has voluntarily chosen not to label the NB24, considering the Swiss Made label to be deceptive and confusing. Instead, the watch is certified TTO — Total Transparency on Origin — a label created by CODE41 that places transparency at the heart of its approach.
To be among the chosen ones who’ll be able to proudly sport an NB24 on their wrist, head over to code41watches.com today!
