Wyler Vetta expands its chronograph collection with the launch of the Chronographe 38 mm GILT, a timepiece that pays tribute to the Maison’s rich heritage through a dial crafted with the refined GILT technique, a term derived from the archaic English “gilded,” symbolizing a blend of art, technique, and historical memory in high watchmaking, evoking the timeless elegance of the 1950s.
Crafting a GILT dial is a complex process combining manual and advanced techniques inspired by early 20th-century methods: from cutting and stamping the metal plate to drilling and shaping, followed by hand-polishing and buffing for uniform brilliance; chronograph counters are lathed for concentric circle effects, followed by pad printing of graphics, oven-baking to set the enamel, immersion in a galvanic bath for the signature black GILT hue, selective washing to reveal golden elements, and application of Zapon protective varnish with a second baking, finalized by rigorous quality checks.
The Chronographe 38 GILT boasts a refined 38 mm satin-finished steel case, balancing formality and sportiness, with a GILT dial juxtaposing a deep black background with golden details for striking visual depth in true vintage Wyler Vetta style. The dial features a rehaut with a BASE 1000 tachymeter scale for calculating speed and a telemeter marked TELEMETRE 1 km for estimating the distance of sound events like thunder, enhancing the watch’s technical functionality; the inner minute track, indices, and Arabic numerals ensure readability, while symmetrically placed chronograph counters at 3 and 9 o’clock enhance aesthetic balance, with gold-plated steel hands at the center. The Wyler Vetta logo at 12 o’clock is paired with “CRONOGRAFO,” while “IMPERMEABILE” at 6 o’clock echoes 1940s models, now with 100-meter water resistance; a domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal and a screw-down case back engraved with WATERPROOF – GILT DIAL, SHOCK PROTECTED, and SWISS MADE complete the design. Powered by the Sellita SW510 BHM manual-wind caliber, with 28,800 vibrations per hour and a 56-hour power reserve, this timepiece embodies the sophistication of the Chronographe 38 collection.
In the 1940s and 1950s, GILT dials with dark backgrounds and golden details were a hallmark of Wyler Vetta chronographs, like the 1940 Cronografo Ermetico, now coveted by collectors; in the 1960s, the GILT style evolved in gold automatic watches and enameled pocket watches. Founded in 1923 in Basel by Paul Wyler, Wyler Vetta rose to prominence with innovations like the 1927 Incaflex balance, the 1938 Incabloc, and multiple watertight case patents; worn by figures like the 1934 World Cup-winning Italian footballers, Albert Einstein, Vittorio De Sica, and Marcello Mastroianni, Wyler Vetta gained global fame through iconic campaigns like drops from the Eiffel Tower and Seattle Tower. Distributed in 52 countries by 1970, the brand was acquired in 1993 by Simone and Marcello Binda, who in 2021 founded Wyler Vetta Srl, relaunching the collection with designer Fulvio Locci and, in 2024, with Beppe Ambrosini as Partner and Senior Advisor. With the Chronographe 38 mm GILT, Wyler Vetta celebrates its legacy, blending tradition and modernity in a timepiece that embodies the timeless elegance of Swiss craftsmanship.
