Albishorn Introduces the Marinagraph, a Unique Regatta Timer
Albishorn has accomplished quite a bit in its first year. It was around this time in 2024 that we were introduced to the brand through a collaboration with Wiiliam Massena. The Maxigraph introduced the tantalizing concept of the brand in an easily digestible way: these would be “imaginary vintage” watches inspired by alternate versions of watch history. It’s a clever spin on the well understood and perhaps overused idea of the “vintage inspired” watch that allows for a great deal more creativity and whimsy. Zach Weiss recently reviewed the Albishorn Type 10 and was impressed with both the execution and concept behind the piece.
The new Marinagraph, available in two versions, is the next iteration of the Albishorn project. On its surface, this is a chronograph inspired by the classic regatta timer. And, in some ways, it’s exactly that. But of course Albishorn has crafted a much more interesting story behind the Marinagraph, which is based on telling the “untold chapter in the evolution of the skin diver chronograph.”
Albishorn says that the Marinagraph story starts with the 1958 running of the America’s Cup, the sailing competition that was first contested in 1851. The 1958 race was the first one after a period of dormancy, and introduced 12-Meter class yachts to the competition, which represented a significant advancement in technology to the sport, carrying sailing into a new, modern era.
The Marinagraph is a watch that might have accompanied the crew of one of these yachts competing in the race, specifically that of the Columbia, which represented the New York Yacht Club. Two features set this watch apart from typical regatta timers. First is the ten minute retrograde countdown function. A ten minute timer on an average regatta timer will reset automatically, but the Marinagraph’s timer disengages at zero. The idea here is that “freezing” the hand at the end of the countdown would prevent confusion among the team at the start of the race. The second feature highlighted by Albishorn is a bezel designed to indicate tidal patterns. It’s a large bezel with plenty of contrast, and answers an obvious need that an America’s Cup crew would need to face.
What’s remarkable about the Marinagraph is the attention to legibility across the board. Chrongraphs, and regatta chronographs in particular, often have legibility concerns due to the amount of information they need to display and the inherent limitations of a watch dial. The 10 minute retrograde display is located at 7:00 and is shaped in such a way that it’s clear at a glance how close it is to zero at any given time, regardless of where the time telling hands are situated on the dial. Albishorn points out that every marker on the dial remains fully intact, nothing is cut or obscured, and that an effort was made to maintain the clarity of a three hander even with the added complexity of the chronograph on board.
This of course is accomplished largely through a proprietary movement developed specifically for Albishorn. It’s an automatic caliber with 64 hours of power reserve, and acts as a monopusher chronograph. In terms of its operation, the 10 minute counter will always stop at zero, but the chronograph seconds hand continues to run. The countdown indication can then be reset using the pusher at 9:00 to stop and reset the timer.
Two versions of the Marinagraph are available at launch: the “Classic Racing” which features a black dial with red and blue accents, and the “Paraíba Racing” with a bright green dial. Both are housed in the same stainless steel 39mm case, measuring 13mm tall.
The retail price of the Marinagraph is set at 3,950 CHF, and it goes on sale Friday, August 29. Production will be limited to 99 pieces in each colorway. More information can be found at the Albishorn website here.
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