Limited-edition Horch Chronograph from a Company with a Fine Tradition

The company of Robert Mühle and Son from the clockmakers’ town of Glashütte, established in 1869, also produced items for the car industry in the 1930’s – including for Horch. Since 1994 the company has once more been in the ownership of the family. Hans-Jürgen Mühle, the great grandson of the founder, has returned tradition and precision to the focal point of his company. The company of Mühle-Glashütte GmbH Nautische Instrumente & Feinmechanik specialises in the manufacture of ships’ chronometers using quartz technology, and ships’ timepiece systems. High-quality, precision watches have also been produced since 1995.

Now there is a unique watch to enrich the range of Audi lifestyle articles. It is not just an ultra-modern timepiece, but also a successful homage to the unforgettable cars produced by Horch. Just like those successful models from the past, the Horch chronograph also combines tradition and precision with the latest technology. The Audi Tradition collection from quattro GmbH is brimming with selected collectors’ items. quattro GmbH places a lot of importance on collaborating with firms that can look back on a long history of craftsmanship. That is why the items in the Audi Tradition collection are characterized by their uncompromising quality and a love for detail.

The legendary Horch motorcars were the unmistakable inspiration when Audi Tradition, along with the watchmakers at Mühle-Glashütte, set about developing the new watch. This company was already designing clocks and speedometers for Horch cars in the 30’s.

Consequently the shape and graphic design of the chronograph are still closely based on the design of the instruments and bodywork features, reflecting the precise love for detail and craftsmanship in the art of car-building of a past age. In terms of shape and colour, the hour and minute hands match those of historical examples of the clock and speedometer in the Horch 853 sports convertible. The graphic design of the needle-etched, corrugated pattern in the inner circle of the watch face, the division of the minutes and the shape of the numbers all hark back to the original instruments. The decorative filigree lines on bodywork and interior details, such as on the dashboard, the steering wheel, the radiator grill or the hubcaps, served as the model for the striking fluting to the watch housing. And just like the glass in the instrument dials of the cars of the day, the watch glass is also convex to give added strength. The pattern of the leather watchstrap, with five rows of stitching, follows the vertically divided pattern of stitching of the leather seats.

In 1935 the Horch 853 rolled onto the street for the first time, marking a high point in the tradition of sports convertibles. In those days Horch was unchallenged in its position in the luxury segment, and not just within the Auto Union company, founded in 1932, to which the brands Audi, DKW and Wanderer also belonged.

The Horch chronograph is fitted with the Swiss ETA 7750 Valjoux mechanical watch mechanism, with automatic winder. The complex technical design of the housing is made of stainless steel and consists of seven parts: the basic housing, the glass, the base, and four individually fitted studs, which are screwed to the housing. The convex sapphire glass is scratchproof, and the base is manufactured from threaded, faceted mineral glass. The stainless steel crown is embossed with the Horch logo, and the solid stainless steel buttons are pressed firmly into the housing. The chronograph is waterproof up to 5 atmospheres.

In addition it has is an analogue display of hours and minutes and a small second hand, a seconds-counter with the hand mounted in the centre, minutes and hours counters, date display, 25 jewels, “incabloc” shock-proofing and a power reserve lasting 42 hours.

The dial face is silver, with needle etching and appliqué numbers. The leather watchstrap, with five rows of stitching, is held in place by a stainless steel buckle that picks up the design of the housing. The limited-edition Horch chronograph, of which there will only be 853, comes in a high-quality wooden case, and the serial number is stamped into the base of the watch housing.

The Horch chronograph is available at a price of EUR 1950. It can be ordered by giving your credit card details (number, expiry date), or by invoice from the Audi Service Center, Telephone: +49 (0)180-500 31 55,
or Fax: + 49 (0)180-500 31 58.

The watch is also available through Audi dealerships, or on the Internet at www.audi.de/shop.