Edox Sauber F1 Team Chronorally Limited Edition: Split time explained

Edox Sauber F1 Team Chronorally Limited Edition. Introduced in 2016, it houses the Ronda 8040.N quartz movement with the chronograph function, chronograph split time function and the big date display. It has a black carbon fibre dial with the blue being the team colour of the Sauber F1 Team (Sauber C35 Blue) and its 48mm diameter case is in titanium. Water-resistant to 100 metres. Limited to 555 pieces. Priced at SGD2,541.25 inclusive of tax (SGD2,375 before tax). Photo: © TANG Portfolio.

Edox Sauber F1 Team Chronorally Limited Edition. Introduced in 2016, it houses the Ronda 8040.N quartz movement with the chronograph function, chronograph split time function and the big date display. It has a black carbon fibre dial with the blue being the team colour of the Sauber F1 Team (Sauber C35 Blue) and its 48mm diameter case is in titanium. Water-resistant to 100 metres. Limited to 555 pieces. Priced at SGD2,541.25 inclusive of tax (SGD2,375 before tax). Photo: © TANG Portfolio.

The Edox Sauber F1 Team Chronorally Limited Edition, launched in 2016, is the official watch of the Sauber Formula One Team.

The Ronda Calibre 8040.B quartz movement is used for the Edox Sauber F1 Chronorally. It features the large date display at the 6 o’clock position alongside the continuous sweep seconds counter and has a retrograde day of the week display at 12 o’clock.

The Edox Sauber F1 Team Limited Edition has a black carbon fibre dial and the blue on the upper half is the team colour of the Sauber Formula One Team.

Case back of the Edox Sauber F1 Team Chronorally Limited Edition. Photo: © TANG Portfolio.

Case back of the Edox Sauber F1 Team Chronorally Limited Edition. Photo: © TANG Portfolio.

What is noteworthy is that this Edox Sauber F1 Chronorally features what is termed the “split time” function. What does “split time” mean?

Before we answer that, do note that in addition to the split time in this Ronda 8040.B quartz chronograph, there is also the “add” function and mention of the “interval timing” feature.

The winding and setting crown bears the Edox logo. Photo: © TANG Portfolio.

The winding and setting crown bears the Edox logo. Photo: © TANG Portfolio.

What is this “add” function? Besides the basic start, stop and reset of the chronograph, there is the “accumulated timing” for the chronograph.

This basically means one can start the chronograph, stop it to measure the elapsed time, and continue with the timing, thereby adding on to what was already recorded, all controlled by the oversized red pusher at 2 o’clock. This is probably what is meant by the chronograph “add” function.

The oversized red chronograph pusher at 2 o’clock features the Sauber logo. Photo: © TANG Portfolio.

The oversized red chronograph pusher at 2 o’clock features the Sauber logo. Photo: © TANG Portfolio.

For the immediate or interval timing, one can start the chronograph with the oversized pusher at 2 o’clock, display the elapsed time at a certain point by activating the pusher at 4 o’clock (rather than the red 2 o’clock pusher) to allow the chronograph timing to continue running (in the background).

In other words, the chronograph is still recording elapsed time from the start of the first activation even though the red chronograph seconds hand is stationery.

To reactivate the red chronograph seconds hand, the pusher at 4 o’clock is once again activated and it will advance (catch up or jump) to the ongoing measured time. This is the chronograph “intermediate or interval timing”.

To proceed with this “interval timing”, stop the chronograph with the pusher at 4 o’clock and continue with this process.

To finally stop the timing, activate the oversized pusher at 2 o’clock. To reset, the pusher at 4 o’clock will have to be activated.

The ability to allow the chronograph to continue with timing is probably what is termed the chronograph “split time” function.

With this “split-time” function, the Edox Sauber F1 Chronorally is technically a split-seconds chronograph.

The rubber strap has the tyre imprint. Photo: © TANG Portfolio.

The rubber strap has the tyre imprint. Photo: © TANG Portfolio.

In mechanical split-seconds chronographs, there are two chronographs seconds hands, one atop the other and this function is used for timing two events that start at the same time but have different end times.

When the split-seconds is activated, one chronograph seconds hand is halted and the other “splits” or separates from the first and continues with the timing.

Should there be multiple time readings, the stopped chronograph seconds hand can “catch up” and rejoin with the one that is still timing the event. This can continue until the chronograph is finally stopped and reset.

Edox Hydro-Sub 50th Anniversary Limited Edition: Black, Blue and Green

Edox Hydro-Sub 50th Anniversary Limited Edition on the wrist of Christian Redl. This black, blue and green watch commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Hydro-Sub (1965 to 2015). Housed in the 46mm stainless steel case is the Calibre 80 automatic movement (base Sellita SW 200). The Hydro-Sub 50th Anniversary is water-resistant to 500 metres and is limited to 515 pieces. The Master Lock (at the 3 and 4.30 positions) is in the closed position and it protects the crown. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. May 2015

Edox Hydro-Sub 50th Anniversary Limited Edition on the wrist of Christian Redl. This black, blue and green watch commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Hydro-Sub (1965 to 2015). Housed in the 46mm stainless steel case is the Calibre 80 automatic movement (base Sellita SW 200). The Hydro-Sub 50th Anniversary is water-resistant to 500 metres and is limited to 515 pieces. The Master Lock (at the 3 and 4.30 positions) is in the closed position and it protects the crown. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. May 2015

The Edox Hydro-Sub 50th Anniversary Limited Edition, seen in the image above and launched at the annual BaselWorld watch fair in 2015, is what we would describe as a handsome sports watch.

It actually follows in the footsteps of the Edox Hydro Sub North Pole Limited Edition that was introduced in 2014 to commemorate the 130th anniversary (1884 to 2014) of the brand’s founding.

The Edox Hydro-Sub 50th Anniversary, limited to 515 pieces, is offered with an intriguing blue dial, one that is black at the edges and blue for the rest of the dial.

The Master Lock is an Edox creation (in collaboration with Christian Redl) and it is used for protecting the crown. This Master Lock can slide open to expose the crown for setting the time and make date adjustments. It can also slide shut to protect the crown.

If the Master Lock is between 1.30 and 3, the crown is exposed. If the Master Lock is between the 3 and 4.30, the crown is covered and protected.

The Edox Hydro-Sub 50th Anniversary is a tribute to the brand’s very first Hydro-Sub of 1965 (1965 to 2015) and it is also the watch worn by Christian Redl during his expedition to the North Pole in April 2015.

Christian Redl with the poster of the Edox Hydro Sub North Pole Limited Edition beside him. The Edox Hydro Sub North Pole Limited Edition commemorates the 130th anniversary of the brand’s founding (1884 to 2014). It is powered by the Edox Calibre 802 automatic movement, base Sellita SW 200. It is water-resistant to 500 metres and is limited to 350 pieces. Priced at SGD4,119.50. Photo: TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. May 2015

Christian Redl with the poster of the Edox Hydro Sub North Pole Limited Edition beside him. The Edox Hydro Sub North Pole Limited Edition commemorates the 130th anniversary of the brand’s founding (1884 to 2014). It is powered by the Edox Calibre 802 automatic movement, base Sellita SW 200. It is water-resistant to 500 metres and is limited to 350 pieces. Priced at SGD4,119.50. Photo: TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. May 2015

The Edox Hydro Sub North Pole Limited Edition, seen in the image above on the photo wall beside Redl, was worn by professional photographer Marcus Fillinger who accompanied Redl on the trip. Fillinger was filming and taking photos of Redl’s dive.

In 2003, Fillinger was the first person to scuba-dive solo at the North Pole and was therefore the ideal photographer and expedition partner for Redl’s record free-diving attempt.

Redl wore the Edox Hydro-Sub 50th Anniversary during his North Pole expedition. Regardless, what matters more was that the two different watch models survived the expedition, which was the case.

At the North Pole, the two gentlemen had to endure surface air temperatures of around minus 30 degrees Celsius. Redl together with Fillinger and their Edox watches had to further brave water temperatures of minus two degrees Celsius.

On 13 April 2015, Redl, nicknamed “The Iceman”, lived up to his moniker when he became the very first person to freedive at the North Pole. Redl dived to the depth of 30 metres, completing his sub-zero descent and ascent in one minute.

During his ascent, Redl looked up and was surprised to discover there was unlimited visibility. “The ice was green, sometimes black. It wasn’t like the green [used for the seconds hand on the Hydro-Sub 50th Anniversary he was wearing] on my watch which is more fashionable,” says Redl.

“There was no light coming through the ice and at that moment, I was really wondering how it was possible to have ice in green,” he adds.

On 13 April 2015, Christian Redl became the first person to freedive in the North Pole. His world record was captured on film and print by fellow expedition member Marcus Fillinger. During his ascent, Redl looked up and was amazed to discover “endless visibility” and to see that the ice was green. Photo: © Marcus Fillinger. Image provided by Edox / Crystal Time

On 13 April 2015, Christian Redl became the first person to freedive in the North Pole. His world record was captured on film and print by fellow expedition member Marcus Fillinger. During his ascent, Redl looked up and was amazed to discover “endless visibility” and to see that the ice was green. Photo: © Marcus Fillinger. Image provided by Edox / Crystal Time

That “green” sighting was indeed interesting as it throws up a link with the green seconds hand of the Edox Hydro-Sub 50th Anniversary.

It also highlights the “green” cause of Redl’s with his North Pole expedition. “In the past, visits to the North Pole were open for two months. Now, it is only three weeks due to the declining polar ice cap. The North Pole is in a very bad situation,” says Redl.

Indeed, even during his address to new graduates of the US Coast Guard Academy on 20 May 2015, US President Barack Obama had highlighted: “The world’s glaciers are melting, pouring new water into the ocean…. By the end of this century, it [the world’s sea level] is predicted to rise another one to four feet [30.48 to 121.92 centimetres].

“By the middle of this century, Arctic summers could be essentially ice free.”

These are chilling statements. The time to go green is now.