Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Voisin Aerosport, Albishorn’s Retro-Futuristic Take on the Dress Watch
Expanding beyond tool watches, Albishorn introduces a 1930s-inspired chronometer as Gabriel Voisin could have imagined it.
By now, most of you should be familiar with Albishorn, the independent watchmaking brand created by Sébastien Chaulmontet. Built around the concept of “imaginary vintage” watches – models that are visually grounded in the past but that never existed – all of its timepieces so far have been specialised, instrument-like chronographs: regatta with the Maxigraph, pilot with the Type 10, exploration with the Thundergraph, and regatta again with the Marinagraph. Now, it’s time for Albishorn to expand beyond tool watches, as the indie brand releases the Voisin Aerosport, a retro-futuristic dress chronometer watch with fluid lines inspired by the work of automotive designer Gabriel Voisin and his C28 Aérosport.
The Inspiration: aviation and automotive
The design of the Albishorn Voisin Aerosport is deeply inspired by the work of Gabriel and Charles Voisin, some of the earliest aircraft manufacturers in Europe. After his brother passed away in 1912, Gabriel continued in aviation, and during the First World War, Voisin became an important manufacturer of military aircraft. After the war, Gabriel turned his attention from the sky to the road, and under the name Avions Voisin, he created some of the most distinctive French automobiles of the interwar period. His background in aviation was clearly visible, resulting in cars with a unique character and a strong focus on aerodynamics. By the early 1930s, this spirit gave birth to one of his most remarkable creations: the Voisin C28 Aerosport.
A fluid yet characterful case
The Albishorn Voisin Aerosport is envisioned, in the classic “imaginary vintage” style of the brand, as a watch that Gabriel Voisin could have commissioned for himself at the time he created the C28 Aerosport. In the words of the brand, “not a tribute or a commemorative object, not a watch decorated with references to an automobile. But simply the kind of watch that might have belonged in his world.” As such, the Voisin Aerosport is not your typical delicate dress watch. While being a more restrained expression of Albishorn’s language, it retains some of its attributes, with a distinctive shape, a certain sense of technicality and an engineered-like feeling.
The case of the Voisin Aerosport is fairly compact at 38mm in diameter, with a fairly thin profile of 9.60mm (total thickness incl. the crystals) and a restrained lug-to-lug measurement of 45.2mm. No need to say: it wears nicely on the wrist, with modern dress watch proportions. The case, despite its fluid, aerodynamic lines, is fairly complex in structure, with a succession of steps, surfaces and contrasting finishes. The bezel, surprisingly wide, is divided into two distinct levels. Its upper surface is circular-grained, while the lower step is subtly inclined and mirror-polished. This construction continues through the caseband, where different levels are articulated by an inserted circular-grained ring. The lugs follow the same principle, with a two-step architecture and circular satin finishing across their upper surfaces.
As with all watches by Albishorn so far, the crown is unusually positioned at 10 o’clock. Potentially not the most practical when winding the watch, but surely comfortable once on the wrist. A box-shaped sapphire crystal protects the dial, while the movement is visible under another sapphire crystal. The watch is rated for a decent 50m water resistance.
A multi-layer sector dial
The same design principles continue on the dial of the Albishorn Voisin Aerosport, with its technical yet subdued design and a strong sense of depth. Available in two versions – Classic with a silver opaline base (as photographed here) and Ice Blue with a grained light blue base – the dial is built around three layers and several sectors. The lower section is home to a sectorial, 180-degree running seconds indicator positioned at 4 o’clock. Next is the dial’s main layer, home to coloured plates and blued steel hands. Last, a raised hours and minutes chapter ring frames the dial with clear, blue-printed sectors over a circular satin-brushed surface. A nice detail: all the stepped surfaces are framed by a polished bevel, adding contrast to the display as well as an elegant touch
A large hand-wound chronometer calibre
At the heart of the Albishorn Voisin Aerosport is the calibre ALB04, a movement based on an ébauche by AMT Manufacture – remember that next to Albishorn, Sébastien Chaulmontet is also Director of Innovation and Marketing at Sellita/AMT. This large hand-wound movement, measuring 30mm in diameter, is also used in watches by Massena LAB, such as the Noctograph and other models. Chronometer-certified by COSC, it runs at a 4Hz frequency and stores 60 hours of energy when fully wound. It is finished with radiating Geneva stripes, double snailing on the winding wheels and perlage on the main plate.
Straps, availability & price
Both versions of the Albishorn Voisin Aerosport are delivered with two grained leather straps – taupe and blue – equipped with a steel pin buckle and quick-release spring bars. Additionally, the watch can be ordered with a stainless steel bracelet, equipped with a comfort release and a quick-release system.
Limited to 99 pieces per colourway, to be produced over a period of three years, the Voisin Aerosport is priced at CHF 3,450 with two leather straps, and at CHF 3,900 with the additional steel bracelet (prices excl. taxes, tariffs and shipping). It is available exclusively at www.albishorn-watches.ch from November 11, 2026.
