Done Watches Releases the Mechanica Chrono “Nine in Ten”

Done Watches was founded by Thierry Clottu, who was born and raised in Neuchâtel, at the heart of Switzerland’s watchmaking region. Clottu brings extensive industry experience, having worked in product management for brands such as TAG Heuer, Perrelet, Leroy and Candino. After years spent contributing to the development of these brands, he launched his own venture, TCL Concept, a company dedicated to behind-the-scenes product development for different brands. Alongside this work creating timepieces for others, Clottu ended up designing a watch of his own, launching it nearly a decade ago through a Kickstarter campaign. Its success laid the foundation for what would become Done Watches. The name Done is both a celebration of achieving his childhood dream and a message to his daughters: believe in your ambitions and make them happen. As its name suggests, the Mechanica Chrono Nine in Ten is Done Watches’ ninth project in ten years. It also marks his first chronograph, a complication that fascinated him when he was young, making this release another personal milestone as he celebrates the tenth anniversary of his brand.

To create the Mechanica Chrono Nine in Ten Chronograph, Clottu mentions he was inspired by his love for yesteryear vintage chronographs – hence the distinctive dial layout, case design with slender rectangular push pieces and a glass box. But it comes with a twist, one that reflects Clottu’s deep product-development expertise and his sharp attention to detail.

The first thing to catch your attention is the openworked design, featuring a sapphire dial that carries the logo and the counter rings. This transparent construction offers an unobstructed view of the movement, complete with a skeletonised date wheel. The dial is secured by a gasket and the flange, which is engraved with a tachymeter scale. The use of BGW9 Super-LumiNova enhances legibility in all lighting conditions. In particular, at 6 o’clock, the skeletonised date disc is tinted in ruthenium and frames a small SuperLumiNova-treated applique placed on the calendar plate, highlighting the current date by contrast.

Fashioned out of stainless steel, the 40mm case evokes classic proportions yet feels upgraded with modern design cues. One of the main challenges for this type of movement lies in the thickness of the case. Clottu worked on the balance of volumes to achieve a watch that feels visually slim and comfortable to wear, using two domed box-shaped sapphire crystals (with double-sided anti-reflective coating). This offers great wearing comfort and allows for a rather lithe caseband. Excluding the two sapphire crystals, the watch measures a slim 9.25 mm in thickness and under 49mm in length.

Turning the watch over, the case back is secured by 4 screws and allows the chronograph movement to be admired in detail. Derived from the La Joux-Perret L111, an upgraded alternative to the Valjoux 7750, this automatic column-wheel chronograph has been customised for Done Watches into this cool semi-skeletonised version. Beating at 4Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour), it boasts 60 hours of power reserve. It features anthracite/ruthenium finishes and Geneva stripes.

The Done Mechanica Chrono Nine in Ten comes on a FKM rubber strap. There is also a metal bracelet option. The Swiss retail price will be set at CHF 4,616, excluding taxes, but for now, there is a 20% discount for pre-orders until late December, making the watch available for CHF 3,691 excl. taxes. Deliveries are expected in mid-April 2026.

For more information and orders, please visit www.donewatches.ch.