Delma Klondike Moonphase
2017 GPHG Calendar Category Finalist
With mainstream design values and a display which combines chronograph with calendar and moonphase, can Delma strike gold and successfully take on the industry heavyweights with the Klondike Moonphase automatic?
As an independent, family owned brand which has over ninety years of history, Delma remains a brand on the periphery of the industry, yet that in itself is not a bad thing as there are still some hidden gems who for one reason or another have never had the clout to become globally recognised names.
Featuring a classic 1940s/'50s Triple Date layout with side-by-side day and month windows, pointer date and moonphase, the Delma Klondike Moonphase also incorporates a rotating day/night disc at the 9, with the subdials doubling up as chronograph counters too. It's comprehensive functionality delivering a broad spectrum of popular features which appeal to many. It is presented in a 44mm stainless steel case, with gold PVD accents and with its white dial and gold detail it is a nice, if not spectacular wristwatch.
With Lange & Söhne, Audemars Piguet, Zenith and Greubel Forsey to compete with for honours in the 2017 GPHG Calendar category, Delma are truly a David among Goliaths here. I did wonder what kind of competition they had beaten to get into the final six preselected finalists, and so to discover that there were only six to start out with, in a way everything made sense.
Priced at CHF3,750 the Klondike Moonphase is positioned well above the entry level for luxury Swiss watches, so one's expectations if buying in this very sensitive price sector would be high, and I am simply not convinced it justifies the value put on it.
The Watch Press prediction
No. Quite simply out of its depth here in terms of quality, refinement and horological invention.
The pertinents
- REFERENCE: 52701.680.6.012
- CASE: Stainless steel/gold PVD
- BRACELET/STRAP: Stainless steel/gold PVD
- BUCKLE: Folding clasp
- MOVEMENT: Self-winding mechanical. Power reserve: 48 h, 28'800 vph
- FUNCTIONS: Calendar with day, date, month, moonphase, day and night, hours and minutes
- SIZE: ø 44 mm
- THICKNESS: 14.8 mm
- WATERPROOFNESS: 200 m
- PRICE EXCL.VAT: 3'750 CHF
