The Pink Brellum Duobox 39 Mother-of-Pearl Chronometer

Brellum is a recent comer to the watch scene, founded by watchmaker Sébastien Muller in 2016. With a limited annual production of around 300 watches and an emphasis on chronographs with chronometer-certified movements, the brand’s direct sales policy (no intermediaries) means that Brellum can keep its prices in check. One of the first models we covered was the Duobox, a retro-inspired chronograph in a 41.8mm case fitted with a Valjoux 7750 movement. Last year, Brellum introduced a more compact 39mm version of the Duobox powered by a La Joux-Perret column-wheel chronograph movement. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Brellum releases an attractive 39mm limited edition Duobox with a pink mother-of-pearl dial and three strap choices in the package.

The subtle vintage spirit of the 39mm Duobox is consolidated with the retro piston-style pushers and the box-shaped sapphire crystals front and back. The name of this collection refers to the twin box sapphire crystals of the Duobox, a nod to the aesthetics of box acrylics used in the mid-20^th century. While it is relatively common today to see watches with box sapphire crystals rising above the dial, it is unusual to see one on the caseback. Including the two box crystals, the case has a thickness of 15.30mm (11.05mm without crystals) and a lug-to-lug of 48mm. The 100m water-resistant case is surprisingly well-finished with satin-brushed surfaces on the case middle with polished pushers and bezel.

The new pink mother-of-pearl dial adds a feminine touch to the chronograph, allowing its natural iridescence to play with the ambient light. Like other 39mm Duobox, there is a somewhat antiquated pulsometer scale on the periphery followed by a precision minutes track and a classic tricompax layout – 30-minute totaliser at 3 o’clock, 12-hour totaliser at 6 o’clock with a date aperture and small seconds at 9 o’clock. The 30-minute and small seconds sub-dials have a matte silver frame. The applied diamond-cut hour markers and hands are treated with Super-LumiNova. A nice detail is the pink background on the date aperture.

The screwed-down caseback with its box sapphire crystal exposes the COSC-certified La Joux-Perret L110 automatic 4Hz chronograph movement with a blued column wheel, an extended power reserve of 60 hours and a gold-coated openworked rotor.

The Brellum Duobox 39 Mother-of-Pearl Chronometer comes with three interchangeable straps: a stainless steel bracelet with a deployant clasp, a rose calfskin and a white calfskin leather strap with a pin buckle. The watch is a limited edition of 17 pieces and is now available to order on  Brellum’s website for USD 3,250, GBP 3,135, EUR 3,760 or CHF 3,190.