There are not many brands that have attempted to design, build and release a mechanical watch with an alarm function, however Cyrus have managed to successfully achieve it with the Klepcys Alarm.
Known for big and bold pieces with in house built complications, such as the vertical tourbillon and moon phases, in this instance Cyrus have opted to design a potentially more practical complication, which could easily be used on a daily basis.
Digital watches are more widely expected to have alarm functions as standard, however there are very few Swiss made traditional movements.
Whilst the Cyrus Klepcys Alarm may not “look” traditional, the techniques used to manufacture this piece definitely are.
Master Watchmaker Jean-François Mojon explains the idea behind the Klepcys Alarm:
The desire to design a watch with a fascinating and useful function but rarely found in a wristwatch, was the inspiration for the creation of the Klepcys Alarm. Faithful to our philosophy of the “Conquest of Innovation” which characterizes all our timepieces, we chose the alarm function and interpreted it by incorporating the typical chime of the minute repeater.
Cyrus Klepcys Alarm Full Steel
Face & case
The Cyrus Klepcys Alarm is available in the brand’s familiar cushion shaped, 46mm stainless case, with either a full stainless case with predominantly blue dial (as shown in the images in this review), or a stainless steel case with black dial, black DLC grade 5 titanium bezel and case back.
Looking at the dial through the anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass, it is quite apparent that design has been a big factor in the aesthetics, as there is a lot going on, but it doesn’t appear overly “busy”. The main colour used is a blue galvanic finish, with black and white used to accentuate areas of the dial with different functions and a dash of red in 2 locations, which seems to make different areas clearly defined as so. There are also a few openworked areas, which allow parts of the movement to be seen.
The main time dial is actually off centred on both horizontal and vertical axis – the centre being slightly up and left of the true centre. This dial shows minute markers and large hour numerals, but only from 9 – 3 o’clock; the majority of the remaining space for what should have been the remainder of the dial is taken up by other functions of the watch. There is a small circular day/night indicator (blue for day and black for night) nestled into the area below 11 o’clock. The centre of this main dial has an engraved repeated small triangle motif.
Time is clearly legible via the prominent, wide openworked hands though, as there are elongated, thick white markers for the missing numbers – only 7 and 8 o’clock markers missing to make way to make the alarm hammer visible.
A secondary dial sits between 3 and 6 o’clock, appearing almost like a target, or aircraft dial; with its black outer ring with 15 minute markers, an inner white ring with 24 hours displayed using 2 hour marker intervals. There is a horizontal thin red line separating blue for day and black for night and again, the hands are prominent and easy to see for reading/setting. The alarm function can be set on the 24 hour scale, at 5 minute intervals.
The alarm hammer can be clearly seen *with the brand’s name neatly printed across it) between 7 and 8 o’clock. When the alarm sounds, you can clearly see it hitting the gong repeatedly for up to 16 seconds, which is where the alarm sound comes from.
At 7 o’clock, there is a small alarm on/off indicator – marked blue for on, red for off.
As with all Cyrus watches, there are 2 crowns. In position 1, the crown at 3 o’clock winds the movement, in position 2, sets the time of the alarm function and in position 3, sets the main time. Pressing on the crown activates or deactivates the alarm. The crown at 9 o’clock is purely for aesthetic purposes.
Four prominent screws (in the design of the Cyrus logo) hold the square case back down at each corner, the centre being a large circular sapphire crystal window, which offers a view into the bold looking movement. There are various engravings around the window, including the brand name, Limited Edition and the number of the piece.
Two parallel barrels are what is noticed first, as the ratchet-wheels are lacquered in black, with the Cyrus logo being unlacquered. There is a deeply engraved, almost sunray pattern bursting out from between the barrels and alternates between polished and brushed finishes – this can be seen on the multiple bridges and heads all the way to the edge of the movement. The screws are larger than traditionally used and almost everything visible is steel.
It is not marked anywhere on the watch, however, it is water resistant to 30m.
Cyrus Klepcys Alarm Full Steel Case Back
Movement
As can be found in all Cyrus watches, the Calibre CYR1280 is an in-house manufactured hand-wound movement. This particular movement features 50 jewels and 340 components, including two barrels, Swiss pallet fork escapement and an annular balance wheel.
The Klepcys Alarm showcases an exclusive winding system design, where the barrel placed closest to the balance wheel powers the main time dial, while the second barrel provides the required energy to the sub dial that activates the alarm.
Beating at 28,800 vph, functions include hours, minutes, seconds, day/night indicator, 24 hour alarm sub-dial and alarm off/on indicator.
The alarm chime is created by means of a hammer (same idea as a minute repeater), which runs for a duration of 16 seconds once activated.
Owners can expect around 72 hours power reserve once fully wound.
Cyrus – Klepcys Alarm Full Steel Side & Crown
Strap
The watch is fitted with a black customized caoutchouc, natural rubber strap, which is mainly textured, but with a smooth central section leading up to a Cyrus icon between the lugs.
It is secured with a customized folding clasp, finished in brushed stainless steel, with the Cyrus icon engraved in the centre.
Cyrus – Klepcys Alarm Full Steel Strap & Buckle
Other stuff
Eterna patented the concept of an alarm in a wristwatch back 1908, however, the first mechanical wristwatch with an alarm function wasn’t actually released by Eterna until 1914. Unfortunately, it wasn’t too successful, due to it allegedly not being very reliable and probably more likely that pocket watches were still very much the fashion.
It was actually Vulcain who seemed to have more success with their release of the “Cricket”, many years later in 1947.
The Cricket gets its name from the “chirping” chime emitted by the mechanical alarm. Interestingly, US Presidents Eisenhower, Truman, Nixon, and Johnson all owned a Cricket and wore them regularly and may well have contributed to the watch’s popularity. It was actually dubbed “The President’s Watch” for marketing purposes and nearly every US president since Truman has received a Cricket courtesy of Vulcain.
Vulcain have released many versions of the Cricket since first release, as well as a few other alarm watches, including a diving watch tested to 300m.
Other brands such as Jaeger LeCoultre, Patek Philippe, Omega, Seiko and Tudor have also had various degrees of success with mechanical alarm watches over the years.
Cyrus – Klepcys Alarm Full Steel On the Wrist
Our verdict
I am personally a big fan of Cyrus watches, both the brand’s ideas and the watches they create. It is no surprise then, that I am impressed with the Klepcys Alarm.
Bearing in mind how many different features/functions are squeezed into the dial, the design is well considered; the use of different shapes, colours, finishes and even some openworked areas give the piece a lot to look at, but not feeling like there’s too much to look at.
It is quite a big watch at 46mm and looks like it should really be heavy and bulky, however on the wrist it does not feel or look oversized. It sits well on the wrist, is evenly weighted and doesn’t feel any different to any other well fitting wrist watch. Again, at 17.15mm thick it is thicker than many, but the curvature outwards means there are few issues with cuffs not being able to get over it.
The alarm function reminds me of my childhood; setting the alarm to go off on my Casio digital watch – letting it sound and then resetting it again and again, just to hear the beeping alarm. It’s a cool feature, but in our busy lives, it could actually be a pretty useful function for most people too.
How many times do you set the alarm on your phone daily? Instead of that synthesised sound (or buzz of a vibration), wouldn’t it be nice to hear a natural chime which is very similar to that of a minute repeater?
At £27,000 ex VAT, it is definitely a lot more expensive than a Casio digital watch, however cost is relative and the Cyrus Klepcys Alarm has been hand built by master watchmakers in Switzerland. Add that to the fact that only 38 pieces of each version will be made, you will also be in a very small group of discerning owners.
I believe the alarm function is the most useful complication available in a watch today, so why not put your phone away and use your Cyrus Klepcys Alarm to remind you of your next task with a beautiful sound.
If you’d like to see a video of the sound it makes when chiming, please get in touch.
Available to purchase from us while stocks last – BUY NOW
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