The Brellum Pandial Bicompax Black DLC Ti Chronometer, With a new Movement Inside

A relatively young and independently-ran brand, Brellum specializes in sporty chronographs, all produced in limited editions, with a maximum capacity of only 299 units per year and exclusively direct sales to final customers. A deliberate choice that’s made the brand an enthusiast-driven project with a strong base. Following the refreshing Duobox 39mm a couple of weeks ago, a more compact and streamlined watch with a column-wheel movement (a first for Brellum), the indie watchmaker now comes back to its classic, with a blacked-out titanium Pandial watch, sharing the same new calibre inside.

The name of this new Brellum, dubbed Pandial Bicompax Black DLC Ti Chronometer, says it all. It is part of the Pandial collection, meaning that it features an external tachymeter bezel. It comes with a clean two-register dial (Bicompax), it’s made of blackened titanium and its movement is, like all watches from the brand, chronometer-certified.

But there’s more to this new piece than just a series of words. The latest Brellum creation is a bold, sporty and robust racing chronograph offered in an appealing choice of colours – for those who have always heard that blue and black don’t match, here’s the proof that it’s all wrong. Despite being a sizeable timepiece, like all Pandial models, this new Pandial Bicompax Black DLC Ti is a comfortable piece – not one that’s small, but one that you’ll easily wear, for two reasons. One, the shape of the case has been conceived to be as soft as possible, thanks to the domed sapphire caseback and the curved lugs. Second, being made of grade 5 titanium, it’s light… Like 72 grams light. For a 43mm chronograph, this is quite pleasant.

Blacked out using DLC coating, the case retains Brellum’s classic twin box-shaped sapphire crystals, meaning that the case might be close to 16mm on paper, it feels thinner both visually and on the wrist – it’s 11.7mm without the crystals. The dial is framed by a black aluminium tachymeter scale and the right side features classic mushroom pushers and a well-proportioned crown. The 100m water-resistance is also reassuring.

The dial relies on a recent upgrade, and now features a cleaner and symmetrical two-register layout, as first seen in this earlier model here. The transition from the classic 6-9-12 display to this horizontal position adds balance to the design and feels less cluttered, more legible. The blue (almost denim blue) dial is finished with matte and brushed surfaces and features raised, blackened registers. A thin telemeter inner flange frames the dial, which features applied markers and lumed hands. The date at 6 o’clock feels also better positioned than in older Valjoux-powered watches, and has a black disc to match the counters.

Inside, and visible under the sapphire back, is a new movement, replacing the ETA 7750 architecture previously used. Now sourced from La Joux-Perret, this new Pandial Bicompax Black DLC has a column-wheel chronograph movement with a comfortable 60-hour power reserve. It is certified by COSC and finished with perlage, stripes and a customised openworked rotor.

Worn on a nicely integrated Nebur Tec strap with a folding clasp, the Brellum Pandial Bicompax Black DLC Ti Chronometer is a limited edition of 46 pieces, now available for orders. Deliveries are expected from early December and the price is EUR 3,920, CHF 3,290 or USD 3,730. For more details, please visit Brellum.Swiss.