The Ralf Tech WRV is the second watch designed by Frank Huyghe in 2012 and follows its predecessor, the larger WRX, in spirit but not in form. Its elegant tonneau shape is smoother and resolutely typical of diving and the spirit of the seventies. For the uninitiated, the WRX was designed by the Franco-Swiss watchmaker for and in collaboration with the members of the Commando Hubert Special Forces Unit of the French Navy. The WRV blends the aesthetic codes of the seventies period of freedom with the constraints of an operational watch and adapts to all situations without denying its origins.

Made in Japan, the Ralf Tech RTAC002 movement equipping the Chronograph edition of the WRV is a watchmaking masterpiece. It is a high-precision automatic chronograph with 292 pieces, 34 jewels and features a coveted column wheel movement. This Inverse Panda version of the WRV Chronograph is only produced in a limited series of 100 pieces!

The WRV's case has a diameter of 43.8mm and is made of 316L surgical grade stainless steel with a black PVD coating and satin finish. It features a distinctive tonneau shape and smooth taut lines inspiring confidence and power. The case is water resistant down to 20 ATM - 200 meters underwater. The large knurled screwed down crown is located at the traditional 3 o'clock position with two screw-down pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock to operate the chrono. The caseback is also made of 316L stainless steel and is screwed-on with serial number engraving.

The fixed bezel is made of 316L stainless steel with a black PVD coating. It has a black anodized aluminum insert with a tachymeter scale. Calibrated up to 400 km per hour, the tachometer bezel can be used to measure the speed of a moving object, usually a car. The classic Inverse Panda dial, reminiscent of a bygone era, has three white sub-dials on a matte black face and is protected by a 3.5mm thick domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. The hands are made of stainless steel with luminescent surfaces of SuperLuminova® C5. The hour-markers on the dial also have SuperLuminova® C5 applied to them.

This WRV is powered by a Ralf Tech RTAC002 automatic movement with a power reserve of up to 50 hours. This high-precision automatic chronograph is a watchmaking masterpiece. It is comprised of 292 pieces, 34 jewels and most importantly, the chronograph activation mechanism uses a column wheel. Considered by the industry and by collectors as the most coveted chronograph mechanism, the column wheel offers a very soft tactile feel when operating the start/stop/reset pushers, which makes it much more comfortable to use than chronograph systems with a horizontal lever cam, as used in traditional Swiss movements. This column wheel chronograph also features a vertical clutch (instead of a horizontally coupled chronograph), so you will notice how smooth the chronograph seconds hand jumps off from a stopped position – there is almost no noticeable ‘jerk’.

A comfortable large 26mm black hand-sewn Barenia calfskin leather strap with signed pin buckle is supplied with this timepiece. A second black silicone strap is also included. The watch is packaged in a NATO-approved waterproof polycarbonate Explorer carry case.

Manufactured in France, the Ralf Tech WRV Automatic Chronograph Tachymètre was inspired by the world of automobile racing. French racing car driver Nelson Panciatici assisted with the development of the watch and was also the tester of the first prototypes. Nelson Panciatici has an impressive palmares as world class racing driver: 61 wins, 81 podiums, 38 pole positions & 46 lap records, twice ELMS European champion, and two podium finishes for ALPINE.