The More Compact Brellum Duobox 39mm Chronometer Limited Edition

Brellum was founded in 2016 by Sébastien Muller, a fourth-generation watchmaker who set up shop in Porrentruy, Switzerland. With a limited production of around 299 watches a year and an emphasis on chronometer-certified movements, Brellum’s policy of direct sales to avoid middlemen allows the brand to keep its prices in check. One of this independent brand’s first chronographs was the sporty, retro-inspired 41.8mm Duobox powered by a Valjoux 7750 COSC-certified movement. In tune with market trends, the Duobox returns in a more compact 39mm case size, with blue, silver or grey dials in limited editions of 46 pieces per colour. In a departure from the regular cam-and-lever movements associated with Brellum, the new Duobox 39 Chronometer is powered by a La Joux-Perret column-wheel chronograph.

It’s impressive to see what a small brand like Brellum has managed to pull off in just eight years. With several collections under its belt dominated by chronographs, the one family that does not feature a chronograph is the Wyvern GMT watch. Brellum’s modus operandi involves regular changes in colours, materials, and complications in addition to the chronograph, and always in limited production runs at somewhat sensible prices.

While the Duobox Chronograph has adopted several guises over the years – appearing with racing-style two-tone Pandial references, a power reserve indicator and even a triple calendar with moon phase functions – the unifying features of the collection reside in the retro-inspired case with piston-style pushers and box sapphire crystals front and back. In fact, it is the twin box sapphire crystals that give this family its name. Evoking the look of box acrylics of the mid-20^th century, the box-shaped sapphire crystals protrude above the confines of the case on both sides of the watch, contributing to the case’s thickness. Although box-shaped crystals are common over dials, they are rarely used on the reverse side of the case.

The new 39mm Duobox models retain the characteristic 15.3mm thickness of the larger models (11.05mm without crystals) and have a lug-to-lug distance of 48mm. The well-built 100m water-resistant steel case does not skimp on finishings; the case middle has satin finished surfaces contrasting with the polished pushers and bezel.

Not only is the case more compact, but the tricompax layout – 30-minute totaliser at 3, 12-hour totaliser at 6 with date aperture and small seconds at 9 o’clock – differs from earlier models. The sunray-brushed dial has a somewhat antiquated pulsometer scale and a precision minutes track printed on the periphery. The three sub-dials are slightly recessed with snailed interiors and wide brushed frames. To enhance legibility, the silver dial has a solid blue central chronograph seconds hand; the anthracite dial has a green-tipped one, and the blue dial has a red-tipped central seconds hand. The applied diamond-cut hour markers and hands are treated with Super-LumiNova.

The screw-down caseback has six indented areas with different polished inscriptions in relief. Instead of the Valjoux cam-and-lever chronograph movements powering other chronographs at Brellum, this 39mm Duobox relies on a La Joux-Perret L110 automatic 4Hz chronograph movement with a more sophisticated column wheel (blued) and an increased power reserve of 60 hours. Referred to as the BR-110, the large openworked rose gold-coated rotor is inscribed with the chronometer certification and limited edition status of the watch. Easy to spot, the blued column wheel ensures smooth operation of the pushers and enhanced longevity.

The Brellum Duobox is a limited edition of 46 pieces per colour and comes with a black calfskin leather strap and a stainless steel bracelet in the package. Including VAT and worldwide shipping, the retail price is CHF 3,190 / EUR 3,765 / USD 3,690 / GBP 3,150. Available from 15 November 2024, it is available exclusively online at Brellum.Swiss.

For more information, please visit Brellum.Swiss.