Like a good torch song sung by an unknown pro, the Davosa Pares Chronograph reminds you that a good thing done well can make you feel warm and tingly even if it???s not a genuine Billie Holiday opus.
The Pares ref. 161.446.44 is Valjoux 7750 driven chrono with a great deal of class. Assembled in Switzerland from internationally sourced parts, this stainless steel chrono is classy without being too fussy and guilloched without looking like a gingerbread house.
The 7750 is a mid-priced chrono workhorse and, thankfully, Davosa has decided to price their chrono, $1645 retail, at an acceptable level while still maintaining a high quality set of components. The case is polished to a high sheen and the rear display back exposes a clean, non-modified movement and a signed rotor. The company, represented in the U.S. by David McCready, estimates a 5 ATM water resistance, which might be a bit much. We could see washing dishes in the Pares but a dunk may do it in.
In terms of aesthetics, the Pares is acceptably massive and also acceptably decorated. The face, a light silver, features blue raised numerals and sub-second markers along with a small date window at 3 o???clock. The registers, at noon and six o???clock show elapsed minutes and hours while the register at three o???clock displays a running seconds hand. The main seconds hand displays elapsed seconds when activated.
The main hands are glazed with lume that lasts about two hours after a full charge. All of the hands are blued and polished but the hour and minute hands could have been slightly more delicate to match the rest of the face.
The crown and pushers are given a starburst coin-edge treatment and are very easy to grab. The buckle on the signed leather strap is heavy and the band itself is an attractive mottled blue with a softer calfskin on the inside.
Over the month that we tested it, the piece lost about 10 seconds per day and held a about 20 hours reserve after a few days of heavy wearing. The chrono function was crisp and the crown was easy to pull out and turn. The buttons felt slightly hollow but the push was quick and clean.
The Pares is a nice way to join the ranks of Valjoux 7750 owners. The 7750 is a wonderful movement with an amazing rotor spin that actually causes the first-time wearer to jump in surprise. When the Pares??? rotor really starts spinning, the entire piece starts to gimble and gyre.
In short, Davosa has created an interesting addition to any chrono lover???s collection.
Quality: 4/5
Style: 3/5
Overall: 4.5/5
??? John
