The Unexpected Delma 1924 Tourbillon, Marking the Brand’s 100th Anniversary

Delma has rightfully earned its recent reputation for producing highly capable, functional, and accessible dive watches. However, the brand’s history, tracing back to its establishment in 1924 by brothers Adolf and Albert Gilomen as A. & A. Gilomen S.A. in Lengnau and currently operating from the same Swiss town, reveals a broader range of offerings while consistently upholding the core principles of quality and reliability. Following a takeover led by Ulrich Wüthrich in 1966, the company was renamed Delma Watch Ltd. to honour one of the initial A. & A. Gilomen’s four model names. Today, the centennial company is guided by the second- and third-generation Wüthrich family. To commemorate this significant anniversary, Delma has crafted a truly special timepiece, the Delma 1924 Tourbillon, featuring a tourbillon regulator, a first in the company’s archives. Join us in extending congratulations and exploring this noteworthy and competitively priced creation.

Delma has unveiled the 1924 Tourbillon with a brand-new case design. The 316L stainless steel tonneau-shaped case, measuring 41mm in diameter and 14mm thick, with a lug-to-lug size of 47.5mm, stands out with its meticulous craftsmanship and intricate details. The upper case surface with a polished chamfered edge hosts a round bezel. The crown, positioned at 3 o’clock, features a beautifully detailed knurled motif to enhance tactile appeal and is well-protected by crown guards. The case incorporates a vertical brushed finish for most of its surface, while the bezel stands out with a contrasting circular brushed finish, striking a harmonious balance between flair and subtlety. The short lugs contribute to the versatility of the timepiece, ensuring a comfortable fit across a wide range of wrist sizes despite the otherwise rather sizeable measurements.

The black dial of the Delma 1924 Tourbillon showcases a captivating grained finish. The palladium nickel-plated hour and minute hands are treated with white Super-LumiNova, emitting a subtle blue glow in low-light conditions. Applied rounded baton-shaped hour indices, with a double marker at 12 o’clock, are also filled with white Super-LumiNova, ensuring clear visibility. The minute track, contrasting with the dial’s colour, further enhances the exceptional readability of the timepiece.

At the lower part of the dial, a large shaped metal plate frames an aperture that houses the tourbillon, featuring a distinctive upper bridge secured with two heat-blued screws. The metal plate has a polished bevel with black markings for the seconds track, with a blued hand placed atop the tourbillon cage to indicate the running seconds.

For the movement of the 1924 Tourbillon, Delma collaborated with the renowned watchmaker Olivier Mory from La Chaux-de-Fonds to create the hand-wound calibre DT100.01. This proprietary movement boasts a 105-hour power reserve and features an index-regulated, variable-inertia balance with a Glucydur balance wheel. Olivier Mory, known for developing movements with tourbillon regulators for various brands (Yema, Patria, Louis Erard and CODE41, to name a few), has consistently aimed to make complex complications accessible at a competitive price without compromising technical and aesthetic excellence. Other regional experts also played crucial roles in bringing the 1924 Tourbillon to life: Atokalpa contributed the escapement, Tavadec provided the transmission and mechanism, KIF Parechoc supplied screws and the shock absorption system (with up to 5000G protection), Gimmel Rouages contributed to the geartrain and the finishing was done by Ora Temps and CV Décor. As a testament to Delma’s Swiss heritage and commitment, all components of the calibre DT100.01 are said to be 100% Swiss-made.

The exhibition caseback offers a view of the dark grey, ruthenium-treated movement. Its design is intelligent and harmonizes with the overall presentation. Delma’s calibre DT100.01 is adorned with nice decorative details, featuring perlage on the baseplate and Côtes de Genève on the bridges. Golden engravings and blued screws further enhance the movement’s visual appeal.

The new Delma 1924 Tourbillon comes on a stainless steel bracelet with a deployant clasp, complemented by quick-release spring bars for easy switching to the black leather strap (included). True to its commitment to accessibility, Delma ensures that its anniversary timepiece is available at a competitive price point. Limited to 100 pieces, the Delma 1924 Tourbillon will be initially offered through a subscription model from 16 January to 16 March 2024 at an enticing pre-order price of CHF 8,900 – great value for a tourbillon. After the initial release period, the watch will be available for CHF 12,500.

For additional information or to place an order, please visit delmawatches.com.