Introducing: The Arion Delphinus

August 07, 2013

Aim high. Thats what Arions founder, Eric Tillman, does. Meet the Arion Delphinus. Its a debut watch with a seven-day manual Chronode movement housed in a 37 8.5mm titanium case made by Voutilainen & Cattin. What Tillman aims for with the Delphinus is to create a timeless, high-quality timepiece with an elegant twist and flair. The Melian Pearl variant, with its natural mother-of-pearl shades and patterns, is probably the best example of that goal. Having said that, the Ichthyian Silver and Aeolian Blue versions also flaunt a high degree of self-assured, individual style. Theres some mid-century nostalgia to enjoy with contemporary qualities.With a 37mm case diameter and an 8.5mm thickness, the three variants of the debuting Arion Delphinus can be classified as dress watches. The design shows inspiration from the mid-20th century, spiced up with contemporary details. The 5atm water resistance is one of those, but there are more.Introducing the Arion Delphinus: Voutilainen & Cattin, Chronode, and Delugs provide their expertiseFor instance, the choice to use Grade 5 titanium for a dress watch is very modern. To ensure it was of the highest quality, Arion founder Eric Tillman had the specialists at Voutilainen & Cattin make it for him. At this case-making atelier, the lightweight yet highly durable titanium receives a polished finish with meticulous attention to detail.The goal is to achieve a deep, arresting luster that resembles platinum. Having Voutilainen & Cattin make the slim, elegant, and featherlight case was a very smart choice. However, it does affect the price - more on that later. We must also look at the stunning movement thats inside the three Delphinus iterations before we talk money.Arion Delphinus Melian PearlThe power source of the Delphinus is a bespoke variant of the Chronode seven-day manual-winding C101 base movement. This 3Hz, 29-jewel caliber boasts a 31.1mm diameter and a mere 3.98mm thickness. The movement is more than a source of power; it also serves as a canvas for masterful, artisanal decorations.Through the case back s sapphire window, curved C?tes de Geneve, hand-applied anglage, and a striking sandblasted gold mainplate reveal themselves. If the decorations remind you of vintage pocket watches, youre right. But Tillman didnt want to copy decorations of the past. Instead, he wanted to add a new, distinct touch. And thats where the Arion dolphins come in. You can see them on the ratchet wheels, and they are inspired by Romes Fontana del Pantheon.A prototype movement without full decorationThe Arion Delphinus bespoke Delugs strap. The exterior is made of premium crocodile leather sourced from the animal s flank. It shows a deep, glossy Lagoon Blue hue that pairs well with all three dial variants. The lining is in supple, light gray Chevre leather, providing comfort and durability.Arion Delphinus Aeolian BlueLustrous mother-of-pearl, sunburst silver, and glossy blue dialsAs mentioned, the Delphinus comes in three variants - Melian Pearl, Ichthyian Silver, and Aeolian Blue. Ten pieces each will be produced. Whereas the Melian Pearl has a soft, natural hue and shine, the silver dial transitions from charcoal to lustrous silver. The blue dial aims to evoke the Mediterranean with its dynamic, bright-to-midnight-blue and navy hues. On the dial, applied rhodium indexes complement the bespoke Delphinus dauphine handset and the serpentine small seconds hand. The bespoke typography is emulated from a 1776 poster for William Hamiltons antiquities collection. Its a subtle historical touch meant to add depth and character to the dial.Production and priceProduction of the three Delphinus variants will take eight months due to their high-end, custom-made nature. The watches also come with a seven-year warranty from the date of purchase. Speaking of that, it s now time to talk about the price. The Delphinus Ichthyian Silver and Aeolian Blue will retail for US$24,000, while the Melian Pearl variant will cost US$28,000. No, these watches dont come cheap, but since they also dont look cheap and certainly aren t cheap to produce, you can understand why. Those interested in purchasing one of the 30 total pieces can inquire via Arions official website.Eric Tillman aimed high with his three Arion Delphinus creations, and judging from the pictures and specifications, it seems he hit the target. Whether it is a bullseye or not is something I ll only be able to tell after handling the Delphinus. I hope to go hands-on with one because the watches look very promising. What are your thoughts? Please share them in the comments section below.Watch specifications Brand Arion Model Delphinus Dial Mother-of-pearl (Melian Pearl), sunburst silver-gray (Ichthyian Silver), or glossy blue (Aeolian Blue) with sub-seconds register and applied rhodium numerals and star-shaped indexesCase Material Grade 5 titanium with polished finishCase Dimensions 37mm (diameter) 8.5mm (thickness)Crystal SapphireCase Back Grade 5 titanium and sapphire crystal, affixed with six screws Movement Bespoke Chronode C101: manual winding, 21,000vph (3Hz) frequency, 7-day power reserve, 29 jewels, 31.1mm diameter, 3.98mm thickness, sandblasted gold mainplate, curved C?tes de Geneve and hand-applied anglage on bridges, polished balance cock, custom-engraved ratchet wheelsWater Resistance 5 atm (50 meters)Strap Delugs Lagoon Blue crocodile-flank leather with light gray Chevre lining and polished titanium pin buckleFunctions Time only (hours, minutes, small seconds)Price US$24,000 (Ichthyian Silver and Aeolian Blue) / US$28,000 (Melian Pearl)Warranty 7 years from date of purchaseSpecial Note(s) Limited to 10 pieces per variant