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I’ve reached the age where I regularly feel the temptation to say things along the lines of “back in the day…” This applies to various things, such as life without smartphones, dial-up modems, and Napster, among others, but occasionally, it also applies to watches. You see, it wasn’t that long ago that things were quite different. Dive watches were all north of 40mm, in-house movements were rare under $5k, microbrands were dismissed as a passing trend, and, most relevantly to this review, mechanical chronographs under a certain price were primarily powered by Valjoux 7750s or a close variant. With sub-dials at 12, 6, and 9, day-dates at three, two-pushers, cam-actuated, and always automatic, approachably priced mechanical chronographs were limited in their design options. Even 3, 6, 9 layouts were rare, powered by 7753s or ETA 2894s, and often limited to Swatch group brands.
The point is that in 2025, it’s almost hard to imagine a world of such limited chronograph options. Today, thanks largely to Sellitta, 3, 9, and 3, 6, 9 layouts are typical (I actually miss 12, 6, 9 now), monopushers are no big deal, manual winding is an option, flybacks, GMTs, and even column-wheels are on the table. Simply put, it’s a good time to be a chronograph fan. Yet, even in this golden-age of chronographs (ok, that might be a stretch), there is room to stand out.
Enter Albishorn, which launched in 2024 with a series of chronographs powered by a bespoke movement, based on a fun revisionist-history concept. Currently available in three lines: Air, Water, and Earth, each design is meant to be a historical watch that never existed, generally predating some well-known concept. There is the Maxigraph made in collaboration with MASSENA Lab, which is meant to be a proto-regatta timer and sits in the “Sea” line. The Thundergraph, from the “Earth” line, is what a chronograph that ascended Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay could have looked like. While those two are looser concepts based on broader themes, the Type 10, which represents the “Ai”r segment, is designed to be a predecessor to the famous Type 20 military pilot’s chronographs.
Founded by Sébastien Chaulmontet, a well-regarded movement engineer with 10 patents to his name, who is currently the Head of Innovation and Marketing at Sellitta and previously worked with Le Joux Perret and Arnold & Son, Albishorn comes with a rare pedigree in movements. So, while the brand and watch concept is novel, what truly sets them apart is the ALB02 M caliber. A manual wound chronometer-rated monopusher chronograph, it features two sub-registers, as well as a patented “chronograph function indicator.” It’s also on the thin side for a modern chronograph, measuring 5.7mm, which allows for a thinner overall watch.
A sleek design, available with either a black or green dial, the Type 10 is the most approachable of Albishorn’s catalog, featuring classic military looks with a twist. Priced at 3,950 CHF (about $4,900 USD at the time of writing), the Type 10 is also a rare value given its bespoke, Swiss-made, chronometer-rated chronograph caliber. Something you’d typically find at much higher prices.
