Here at WWR, we are no stranger to some of the many collaborations that iconic design Alain Silberstein has done (more on those here). However, we’ve not had the pleasure of checking out one first-hand. That is, until we had a loaner of the TheTimeChanger X Alain Silberstein come in for review.
TheTimeChanger X Alain Silberstein: what it is
When you first see the TheTimeChanger X Alain Silberstein, you’re like, ok, this is a Silberstein design. You’ve got circles with smaller circles, a big arrow, and bright pops of red and yellow. At first, you might think this to be a play on the regulator watches. But then why would you need dual pushers on the side of the case?
That, friend, is because this watch is actually hiding a chronograph in plain sight. How is this possible? Well, frankly, it’s due to the technology in the movement: a programmable MEMS micromotor. Silmach developed these for wider use in electronics, and this watch became the first place to showcase them.
Actually running the chronograph
That, of course, is done via those crowns (as is setting the time, which is all handled in the instruction manual the watch comes with). Let’s talk about that chronograph for a minute, though. It’s not just a simple record of an event. You can actually do both fly-back time checks, as well as split-second, or rattarapante timing. With the flyback, you press and hold the yellow pusher, stopping the timing, so you can note the time (ie, the first lap). Then, you release the button, and the timing resets to zero and restart.
For the rattarapante, that’s done via the red pusher. Press and hold it, and the hands freeze, just like in the fly-back. Note your time, and release the pusher. What happens then? The hands move forward to continue the timing at the actual elapsed time. In short, you can time stuff just how you want to.
Wearing the watch
After playing around with the chronograph functionality of the TheTimeChanger X Alain Silberstein some, it was time to put it to the test, and wear it. In other words, how did it perform as a watch that wasn’t timing your boiling water? I will admit, it does take some getting used to how to read the hands. On paper, it makes sense – the red hand gives you the hour, and then the yellow hand has the retrograde minutes.
In practice, though, our minds aren’t used to telling time just like that, with the registers so disconnected as they are here. However, most of us are either trying to quickly see the hour or the minutes, and not as commonly the interaction of the two. Once you settle on that, then grabbing the register you need for a quick check, well, that becomes a cinch.
I will say, the 42mm case (which is just 11mm thick) is quite comfortable, with a slick PVD coating applied to it. Paired with the leather strap (and the electronic movement), it makes for a relatively light watch on your wrist, which in turn means it’s not going to feel like a rock as the day goes on.
Wrapping things up
As you can tell from the photos, we had the blue-dialled version of the TheTimeChanger X Alain Silberstein in for review, but there is also a black dial version being made. With the two colors, only 150 of each will be built. So, rather limited edition.
Combine that with the iconic design and the very unique movement inside, you will understand that this is not an impulse buy. It’s not prohibitively expensive, especially when you consider it’s a showcase for a new technology. Still, you will need to make some room in the budget if you want to get one. The watch can be pre-ordered right now for €1,890 (approx. $2,074) from one, and only one place – right from TheTimeChanger. Check out all the details, and place your order if you like, directly at thetimechanger.com
TheTimeChanger X Alain Silberstein Tech Specs
- Mechanism: Programmable MEMS micromotor, made in Besançon
- Mode: Retrograde Hour + Minutes
- Functions: Flyback and rattrapante (split-seconds)
- Water Resistance: 5 ATM
- Casing: stainless steel with PVD treatment*
- Crystal: anti-reflective sapphire for excellent readability
- Diameter:** 42mm and Thickness : 11mm
- Weight: 64g
