Cyrus Klepcys DICE Racing (Part One) Watch Review
The Cyrus Klepcys DICE Racing is the latest iteration of the Swiss brand’s ‘Double Independent Chronograph Evolution’ mechanism. In the first instalment of this two-part feature, Angus Davies looks at the backstory to this ingenious complication and closely examines several of the constituent elements of this extraordinary watch.
The Conquest of Innovation
Founded in 2010, Cyrus is a comparatively young company operating in the rarefied world of Haute Horlogerie. This confers certain advantages, in particular, the Maison is not encumbered by traditions or cultural recalcitrance. No one at Cyrus would cross their arms and proclaim ‘We’ve never done this before’, stifling innovation. This would be at odds with the company’s ‘can do’ culture.
Furthermore, the high-end brand does not blindly accept the horological status quo, but chooses to question what has gone before, often innovating fresh and ingenious mechanisms. This mindset is encapsulated by the words ‘Conquest of Innovation’, the company’s motto.
A watch featuring a three-dimensional depiction of Mars, a GMT with a retrograde hour hand (showing the home time) and a vertical tourbillon are just three innovative Cyrus models that break with convention and showcase the firm’s extraordinary capacity to dream.
Image – Jean-François Mojon
Three men sit at the heart of this innovative culture, Dr Pablo Richard (Co-owner), Walter Ribaga (Managing Director) and Jean-François Mojon (Master Watchmaker). Monsieur Mojon is widely known within the watch industry, having created mechanisms for Breva, Czapek, HYT, Harry Winston, Hermès, MB&F, MCT and Urban Jürgensen. This in-house technical know-how is complemented by Walter Ribaga’s commercial acumen, an expertise he has amassed over many years working within the watch industry for large and small firms alike.
Image – Walter Ribaga
It is this blend of talents that led to a new innovation in 2021, the Klepcys DICE.
Double Independent Chronograph Evolution (DICE)
DICE is an acronym meaning ‘Double Independent Chronograph Evolution’. Back in 2018, Monsieur Mojon was seeking an alternative to the rattrapante. This complication can be used to time two athletes competing in the same race and it’s able to show the difference it takes each athlete to complete the race distance. However, both competitors have to start at the same time for the measured times to have any relevance.
Step forward the Double Independent Chronograph Evolution. In this instance, two competitors could start at different times and finish at different times and the complication would be able to accurately record each competitor’s performance separately. Put simply, the two chronographs can work totally independently of one another.
Interestingly, Walter Ribaga informed me of the complication, explaining:
“When we thought of developing the double independent chronograph, Jean-François Mojon checked the possibility of patenting the movement. After due research, he informed us that since it had already been patented (Arnold Frankfeld – 1873), it was not possible to apply for a new patent. But since the rights have expired, there is no restriction on use. Of course, our movement has been interpreted in a contemporary way.
While Mr Frankfeld patented his invention in 1873, it appears he didn’t make a physical example of a pocket watch equipped with his innovative mechanism. Nevertheless, Monsieur Mojon freely acknowledges Mr Frankfeld’s achievement, saying:
“I’m always impressed to discover innovations already imagined in the past by our predecessors.”
colour-coordinating monopushers
The inaugural version of the Klepcys DICE featured two central chronograph seconds hands, one in red and a second in blue, positioned 180° apart. Both are actuated by pressing the colour-coordinating monopushers located at 3 and 9 o’clock. Each monopusher is used to start, stop and reset the respective chronograph in a simple to use format. The colour-coordinating markings encircling the dial and the counter at 3 o’clock lucidly convey the elapsed period for each chronograph. The use of colour also extends to each column wheel presented front of house.
The judicious use of colours aids understanding and imbues the appearance of the model with a unique eye-catching appearance.
Cyrus Klepcys DICE LIME
In the early part of 2022, no doubt buoyed by the success of the inaugural Klepcys DICE, Cyrus released the Klepcys DICE LIME. This latter model eschewed red and blue tones in favour of two citrus shades, namely lemon yellow and lime green. Like the first version of the Klepcys DICE, prospective wearers could choose from Grade 5 titanium or Grade 5 titanium dressed in black DLC. Green Cordura straps completed each horological ensemble, delivering a masterful performance.
Image – Inaugural Klepcys DICE in titanium
While both versions of the Klepcys DICE LIME shared the same architecture as the initial versions of the Klepcys DICE, the alternative hues imbued the newer models with a wholly different look and character.
Image – Inaugural Klepcys DICE LIME
The popularity of the Klepcys DICE LIME took the brand by surprise. Walter Ribaga explained:
“The Klepcys DICE LIME was presented this year at Watches and Wonders in Geneva. Offered in two case variants, each limited to 10 pieces, the watches immediately sold out.”
This comment prompted me to ask Mr Ribaga if, having spoken to his customers, he knew the primary reason for the popularity of the model. His response was:
“First of all, they appreciate the brand. This model has an appealing, distinctive and original design that stands out from the crowd….it looks different from other watches and incorporates a unique complication.
“I think to understand the success of this model, you have to look back to last year when we launched the Klepcys Double Independent Chronograph (DICE). It was the World’s first Double Independent Chronograph with two chronograph mechanisms in one wristwatch, representing a new milestone in the history of chronographs.”
Now, the Swiss marque has developed a new version of its innovative chronograph, the Klepcys DICE Racing, perpetuating the brand’s success story.
Cyrus Klepcys DICE Racing – the dial
For its latest creation, Cyrus has returned to the blue and red accents of the inaugural model. The partially openworked hour and minute hands, lined with white Super-LumiNova, assume a neutral stance against the neighbouring, coloured elements. However, rest assured the hands remain eminently readable and, in conjunction with the nearby white Arabic numerals, articulate the prevailing time with notable efficiency.
A red central chronograph seconds hand points north, ready and waiting for orders. Pressing the pushpiece at 3 o’clock, marked with a red circlet, awakens the hand which immediately begins its circular route. As it travels it floats above a track marked with white strokes and red numerals, presented in double-digit form. As each minute elapses, a red hand, located above the counter at 3 o’clock, advances, recording the passage of time.
Meanwhile, the second chronograph, equipped with a blue central chronograph seconds hand points south. Once it responds to the press of the lone pusher on the right flank of the case, usefully marked with a blue ring, it behaves in exactly the same way as its cheery red neighbour, while remaining independent.
Cyrus Klepcys DICE Racing – two column wheels
As stated earlier, a characteristic common to all Klepcys DICE models is that the column wheels used to control the start, stop and reset functions are not hidden to the rear, but shown on the dial side. Moreover, the wearer is reminded of the purpose of each column wheel by subscribing to the aforementioned blue-red colour scheme.
The dial indulges watch aficionados with a mechanical vista comprising finely grained movement components, expertly finished, some in perpetual motion and some awaiting the wearer’s instructions. This dial will inevitably sate the requirements of horological voyeurs with its choreographed dance of levers and springs.
The counter at 9 o’clock features a triskele-themed hand, a motif inspired by Cyrus’s logo. When appraising the Cyrus Klepcys DICE Racing, one repeatedly discovers smile-inducing details. For example, both counters and the hour track are formed of sapphire crystal. This clear material is very hard and is often employed as a form of dial-side glazing. However, when in fine sections, the material can easily break. Some brands would choose to avoid using the material in this context, making life a little easier and a little cheaper too. I quizzed Walter and Jean-François to learn more about the use of sapphire crystal for these parts and the challenges they faced. Firstly, Walter stated;
“Of course, there is a risk that the sapphire crystal may break during assembly, despite the fact that it is a very resistant material. However, we felt it was important to use sapphire crystal elements to grant the best possible view of the beautiful movement. We did not worry about the cost because we never compromise on the details which make our creations special. This can be seen with all of our watches…. we select the best materials, incorporate the finest finishing, develop highly innovative movements and conceive exclusive and daring designs.”
Jean-François added:
“With the sapphire elements, we understood the importance of how they are fitted to the movement. It is important that the fixation method affords a degree of elasticity to avoid breakage during installation. Obviously, once in position, there is no issue regarding robustness.”
Cyrus Klepcys DICE Racing – part-two
In the second part of my two-part feature, I continue my journey, discovering further details which distinguish this model as exceptional.