January 3rd, 2025

Allow me to introduce you all to the Cronus Prototype 2! A watch that I have been after for a few years. My first #newwatchalert of 2025! For those of you who are unfamiliar with Cronus, here is a bit of information about them:

https://cronus-watches.de

“The first manual sketches and technical drawings of the diving watch Cronus were developed in 2010 by the Russian deployment watch 191 CHS from the 1960s. The aim was to maintain the characteristics of the axial rotation of the crown as a central control element and to stabilize the crown closure as it protrudes quite far. The requirement was from the outset: a very robust watch, which can withstand extreme loads and external influences and ensures water tightness. This idea was implemented technically in 3D-construction. In the following year, the prototype 1 was finally developed.

The concept of the closure was consistently further developed and optimized after the test. The closure was fitted with a visual warning system (red securing ring). It is controlled axially by a spring and warns the user from unsecured conditions. In addition, a corresponding note has been added on the dial (control before dive). The innovative locking system was patented in 2013. One year later the prototype 1 was re-designed, the case got a new shape without losing its charm. As part of the development, the crown closure was further optimized and decoupled from the housing. As a result, the relief of the elevator crown has been achieved without sacrificing safety. The prototype 2 model is created. The housing is made according to our technical drawings and 3D data in the clock production facility Glashütte and assembled in a strictly limited small series in a Munich watch workshop. Each prototype housing has a serial number. You get a completely handmade and original love piece “made in Germany”, built with love.”

January 8th, 2025

I was fortunate enough to review two different versions of their prototype 3 watch so I was already familiar with Juri’s attention to meticulous & precise details, but even knowing that didn’t prepare me for how amazing this watch is. Cronus makes some of the best quality watches I’ve experienced in my decades as a watch nerd. The engineering and quality are exceptional. The quality control blows the hype brands QC out of the water. For some reason mass producing watches somehow gives companies the mindset of “we sell millions of watches so we don’t need quality control, the name on the dial is what sells our watches”.

Thankfully there are the small brands like Cronus, who still care about delivering quality products that have quality, precise details and can sleep at night knowing that they are delivering exceptional watches to their customers. The finish on this case is the first exposure to that excellence in execution that I was presented with when I first opened the watch box. The bead blasted finish is precise and uniform throughout the entire case, from the case itself, the massive crowns, the fixed bezel and the caseback. The finish on this watch sets the tone for what is to be expected throughout this entire watch.

The crown lock system and the massive crown guards are not only an aesthetically pleasing details but their functionality is even more pleasing! I am a function over form kind of watch lover. That’s why though I appreciate a dress watch, they aren’t what I am drawn to. I am drawn to engineering, function, unique and original designs. That’s part of the reason why I couldn’t bond with brands like Rolex, Tudor, Breitling, Omega. I have nothing against those brands, unfortunately they didn’t offer me what I most appreciate about watches. The engineering, details and quality execution of this Cronus Prototype 2 watch is exactly what I love about watches.

January 16th, 2025

P2 such a badass tool aesthetic and the German engineering gives the assurance that it is built just as badass as it looks. The matte black dial is the icing on this cake. The orange ‘control before dive’ text on the dial is my favorite detail on the dial. It adds to the nonsense vibe of this watch, like a diving tool. I like the other little touch of color on this dial. I am talking about the yellow tip on the second hand.

The matte white & grey skeletonized hands are a perfect match for this dial. All 3 hands are perfectly proportional to the dial itself. Juri knows how to design a watch where the dial and case details are well thought out. They are planned to exhaustion and then planned out some more to where they are ready for execution. This makes for a watch that is balanced in terms of aesthetics and function! That makes for a watch that doesn’t disappoint and it makes a rare watch that I have absolutely nothing to suggest to improve the wearing experience.

It hits so many of my checklist items that I love on a watch. Drilled lugs, no spring bars, no date dial, unique crown, matte black dial. Even the lug space hits my 24mm+ preference, these are 26mm. So damn good! There’s nothing better than a watch with a nice wide strap. The added security of drilled lugs with solid screw bars are exactly what a watch like this deserves.

January 24th, 2025

A wonderful example of German engineering. I have wanted one of these for years. I was actually on a quest to get another VDB recently. I absolutely love the look of their watches but unfortunately I had multiple quality issues with VDB watches. Cronus on the other hand are sticklers for quality control so every single one I have owned has been spot on in terms of quality and execution. The P2 is no exception. In fact, it completely blew me away especially with their patented crown lock mechanism. The mechanism teamed with the massive crown guards just makes this case profile look so badass.

The wrist presence of this watch is on a whole different level. I love it on this custom Blueradish Straps leather nato. The buckle is the OEM Cronus buckle. The 26mm buckle is just as quality as the rest of the watch. There is nothing and I mean nothing, that I would change about this watch. Cronus nailed this design better than anything that I could have come up with.

January 31st, 2025

The patented crown lock mechanism and large crown guards are what drew me to this piece. I have experienced two other Cronus models before this P2, so I was well aware of how meticulous Juri is about the quality and quality control of his watches. He is definitely one of my personal favorite watchmakers.

The P2 is a watch that I am so grateful to have finally found and added to my collection. Finding it on a trade plus cash deal was one in a million considering these are sold out and they were made in such small batches. In terms of quality, design and execution, it’s easy in the top 20 of best watches I have experienced. To make it in my top 20, watches have to be of the highest quality. They also have to be designed where I can’t find anything to suggest to improve the wearing experience or I have to truly microscope examine it to find something to nit pick about.

This is definitely in my forever collection. I am looking forward to many adventures with this watch. Knowing Juri’s meticulous eye for design, I know damn well this watch can handle everything I can put it through. It definitely likes the frigid cold temperatures. The crown lock mechanism is easy to operate even with fingers that are numb from the cold. I am also looking forward to photographing this watch more and sharing those pictures with you all.

February 7th, 2025

Cronus is definitely my favorite German brand. Juri is a true master of his craft. His attention to quality control is so meticulous. I am a huge VDB fan, I absolutely love their designs, I just wish they had Juri’s attention for quality/quality control. If that was the case, I’d own quite a few models. Unfortunately none of the models I owned had that quality control that I could bond with.

The obvious highlight of this was is the crown lock mechanism and crown guards. It’s one of those details that you love the aesthetics of but worry about how it is going to function. Thankfully the worry quickly evaporates once you unlock the crown and use it for the first time. The lock itself has a very deliberate click into place feel. It takes a little bit of force to unlock it and that’s a good thing. That’s a problem with some well loved Panerai watches, the “kickstand” aka crown lock lever often loosens up over time and it doesn’t have that secure click into place feel.

I love the orange text on the dial and how the crown lock has a red warning on it too. This is a great foolproof design for not forgetting to secure the crown before you submerge yourself into the sea. The crown itself operates incredibly smooth, whether you are manually winding the watch or setting the time. Or just fidgeting with it because it’s like an adult fidget toy!

February 14th, 2025

When I say the best, it pertains to me and my experience with all the watches I have owned over the past 3 decades. I have been blessed to have experienced as many watches and brands that I have over the years. It’s given me the amazing opportunity to be able to know and understand exactly what works for me in a watch and exactly what doesn’t. Uniqueness, quality, engineering….in no order there whatsoever, but those three things definitely drive my lust for watches.

Cronus designed a hell of a watch that encompasses everything that I look for in a watch. This an excellent example to showcase what I look for in a watch both from an engineering/functional perspective and aesthetically. When I say aesthetically, those details are also extremely functional. For example the hands, while they are aesthetically pleasing their look is quite functional because they are proportional to the dial they way I like, they are extremely legible both in daytime and nighttime hours…..that’s what I mean when I say functional aesthetics.

February 21st, 2025

I love that Juri manufactures a lot of his components and the components that he doesn’t manufacture, they come from other German manufacturers. Obviously the movement isn’t made in Germany, but everything else is. That’s pretty damn cool in my opinion.

The patented crown lock mechanism, the crown guards and this dial, all are absolutely perfect. The icing on this German cake is the 26mm lug space! There’s not a detail that I would add, subtract or change on this watch. That’s all the reasons why this watch is in my top 10! I have 3 German watches in my collection and coincidentally they are all on my top 50 list.

Do any of you appreciate the country where your watches come from or do you not care about that detail?

February 28, 2025

The killer industrial crown guards and the insanely cool patented crown lock are what make this piece so special. I think I mentioned this before but this watch is definitely on my top 50 list and it’s in the top 10. Juri makes such a precise watch. It’s all planned out brilliantly and it’s so well executed. I would rank Cronus in line with UTS, OG Chronoswiss, slightly above Sinn & Kaventsmann and way above VDB. My ranking is a result of quality, quality control, execution, craftsmanship and engineering.

Juri’s watches are definitely a steal for the price vs what you get. I am so glad I picked this up on a trade + cash deal. I can’t praise this watch and brand enough. I reviewed two other Cronus watches before I picked this one up so I knew what to expect yet the P2 still blew my mind.

I love a rugged tool/dive watch and this dive watch from Cronus is one of the best I have experienced. I was originally going to try to get another Panerai but this watch came up. I am so glad it did because I know this watch would make me happier than a Panerai.

March 7th, 2025

A badass case that is more than capable of handling every day abuse. I have been wearing it 24/7 lately and it’s a fantastic daily wearer. Though this piece came with two killer straps, one leather and one cavas, I love it on this leather NATO from Blueradish Straps . It makes me laugh to myself because I recently read someone’s comments on an instagram post that they don’t like NATOs because they add height to the watch. Though this is true, what made me laugh is we are literally taking about a few millimeters. When did the watch community get so soft?!? Yeah, I get we all have preferences but take a step back and re-read your whining comments. I’m not saying you have to be an alpha douche bag, but stop the tantrums, whining and crying.

The case is so well done, from the finish to the patented crown locking mechanism. The lug design is striking and certainly adds to the commanding wrist presence of the P2. I definitely appreciate the solid screw bars. They thread in easily, offer peace of mind by securing the strap to the watch without having to worry about failure. The solid screwdown caseback has the usual information on it, including the limited edition serial number out 25.

Cronus makes quality watches that easily compete with watches that cost triple + of what Cronus charges for their watches. I’ve owned 3 Cronus watches over the years and every one of them has been perfect in terms of quality/quality control. I also appreciate that every thing is manufactured in Germany, sans the movement which is a Swiss ETA workhorse automatic movement!