Albishorn Marinagraph Watch: Vintage-Style Regatta Diver

The Albishorn Marinagraph isn’t just another chronograph—it’s a rare fusion of imagination, precision, and exclusivity. Limited to just 99 pieces per dial, this Swiss-made monopusher chronograph feels like a rediscovered relic from an alternate history of watchmaking. The 39mm stainless steel case houses Albishorn’s proprietary COSC-certified caliber AMR-21, offering both technical credibility and collector appeal. Released in 2025, it enters a competitive market of heritage-inspired tool watches but stands apart with its unique narrative: a regatta timer that never truly existed, yet feels instantly authentic.

What makes the Marinagraph compelling is its balance—compact and wearable, yet mechanically serious; nostalgic in design, yet original in spirit. It delivers the romance of vintage chronographs without being a simple revival. Instead, it imagines what could have been and makes it tangible. For collectors seeking exclusivity, storytelling, and technical legitimacy, the Albishorn Marinagraph might just be the most intriguing chronograph release of the year.

Albishorn’s Vision of “Imaginary Vintage”

To understand the Marinagraph, you have to first understand Albishorn. Founded by Sébastien Chaulmontet (a former Sellita executive) and Fabien Collioud, the brand emerged with a daring concept: instead of drawing endlessly from their own archives like heritage houses, why not design watches that could have existed in an alternate past?

This design philosophy—termed “imaginary vintage”—is what sets Albishorn apart from nearly every other boutique maker. While many independents lean into avant-garde futurism, Albishorn leans into history. But it’s not simple homage or retro styling. Instead, they ask: What if a Swiss maison in the 1950s or ’60s had built a regatta chronograph for yachtsmen? What if a diver’s watch from 1962 had a countdown complication instead of just a bezel?

By introducing the Maxigraph in partnership with Massena LAB, proved the concept. A monopusher regatta timer that looked like it came straight out of a forgotten mid-century regatta, it quickly caught the eye of enthusiasts. But it was the Marinagraph that took things further.

Placing it within their broader ethos:

• Maxigraph: proto-regatta tool with 10-minute retrograde timer.

• Type 10 Chronograph: imaginary ancestor to Breguet’s Type 20 aviation chronograph.

• Marinagraph: the brand’s flagship in the water collection, bringing the diver + regatta crossover to life.

Albishorn is not simply making watches—they’re making stories. Each watch is a thought experiment turned tangible, appealing to collectors who value heritage but are tired of predictable reissues.

Design & Case

If Albishorn’s philosophy is the soul, then the design of the Marinagraph is its body. And what a body it is: compact, robust, and packed with vintage cues that are balanced by subtle modern refinements.

The stainless-steel case is 39mm in diameter, 13mm thick, with a lug-to-lug of 47.7mm. That puts it firmly in the sweet spot for contemporary collectors who crave vintage proportions but don’t want the fragility of actual vintage pieces.

The case flares slightly at the bezel, measuring around 42.7mm, which gives it more wrist presence without ballooning the size. Surfaces alternate between brushed satin and polished chamfered edges, providing just enough sparkle without compromising its tool-watch DNA. Water resistance is 100 meters, making it a true diver at heart.

The genius of the Marinagraph lies in its stylistic mash-up:

• Skin diver DNA: robust case, clear bezel, tool-first approach.

• Regatta cues: monopusher chronograph, retrograde countdown dial.

On the wrist, it feels like a missing link between the world of ocean-diving tool watches and the glamorous yacht clubs of the mid-century sailing world.

Dial, Finishing & Strap Options

Albishorn offers two distinct dial options:

• Classic Racing – A black sunburst dial with applied indexes, beige SLN lume, and red chronograph accents. This version is closest to a traditional diver’s watch, but the pops of red give it a sporty racing flavor.

• Paraíba Racing – Inspired by the rare Paraíba tourmaline gemstone, this green dial variant is far more striking. The sunburst finish plays dramatically in the light, with matching lume and hands that tie the palette together.

Both dials maintain Albishorn’s signature clarity. Even with sub-registers and countdown scales, every marker is visible—something not all chronographs can claim.

Details include a box sapphire crystal with AR coating that evokes the acrylic crystals of the ’60s, an aluminum tide bezel insert that looks vintage yet refined, and a red-anodized aluminum monopusher at 9 o’clock designed for thumb use. Subtle touches like the beveling on the lugs and creamy lume complete the illusion of a watch that could have lived in another era.

Each Marinagraph comes with two tropic-style rubber straps: black/red for Classic Racing, black/white for Paraíba. They taper elegantly, feature sturdy buckles, and use a quick-swap system for versatility.

Movement, Countdown & Legibility

At its core beats the proprietary Caliber ALB01 A, an automatic, COSC-certified chronometer with 64-hour power reserve. Measuring 30mm by 6.6mm, running at 28,800 vph with 25 jewels, it’s a movement purpose-built for Albishorn’s regatta ambitions.

Chronograph functions are monopusher-operated from the red button at 9 o’clock, ergonomically perfect for thumb operation. Its standout feature is the retrograde 10-minute regatta countdown, displayed cleanly at 7 o’clock. Unlike traditional regatta timers with cluttered scales, Albishorn designed it to sweep back clearly and stop at zero, ensuring precision and readability.

Other functions include a running indicator disc at 3, stop-seconds mechanism for precise setting, and central red-highlighted chrono seconds. Despite these complications, legibility remains exceptional—rare for a chronograph—making the Marinagraph not just a collectible, but an everyday-wearable timepiece.

Pricing, Availability & Market Context

The Albishorn Marinagraph is priced at CHF 3,950, excluding taxes and shipping, available at www.albishorn-watches.ch. Positioned above entry-level divers but below luxury regatta timers from Rolex or Omega, it offers excellent value given its in-house caliber, COSC certification, and exclusivity.

Production is capped at 99 units per dial variant over three years—fewer than 200 pieces in total. Each comes with two straps, a presentation box, and full documentation.

In context, Rolex’s Yacht-Master II (44mm, ~$20k) and Omega’s regatta Seamasters are larger, flashier, and anchored in later 20th-century design. The Marinagraph instead carves its niche as a compact 39mm diver-chronograph, wearable daily, technically elegant, and far rarer.

Conclusion

At 39mm and 13mm thick, the Marinagraph suits wrists of all sizes, balancing presence with comfort. Its tropic straps are supple, quick-changing, and versatile. Legibility is excellent, and the monopusher keeps operation simple and intuitive. With 100m water resistance, it works as both a tool and lifestyle watch.

Ultimately, the Albishorn Marinagraph is one of 2025’s most intriguing boutique releases. It’s not a reissue, but a what if chronograph that could have existed in the golden age of tool watches. Authentic in design, refined in execution, and strictly limited in production, it represents more than just a watch—it’s a collector’s storypiece, merging sailing spirit, vintage design, and modern innovation into something timeless.