Kelton X Chapal 1972 Watch - Skysand Chronograph - Brown Leather

This 1972 Skysand Kelton x Maison Chapal chronograph watch is a limited edition, numbered from 1 to 100. Each piece is unique.

This hand-wound mechanical chronograph is the first of its kind offered by Kelton. It combines the display of the current time with a chronograph function, thus continuing a watchmaking tradition that is both sporty and elegant. To bring this exceptional watch to life, Kelton partnered with the prestigious Chapal manufacture, a company with a history deeply rooted in aviation and motorsports.

Kelton shares a longstanding passion for motorsports. In 1975, Emerson Fittipaldi—a two-time Formula 1 world champion in 1972 and 1974 and sponsored by Timex—visited the workshops in Besançon. The choice of the name “1972” for this chronograph pays tribute to that iconic year, when he won his first Formula 1 title.

Since 1832, the Chapal workshop has made a name for itself in the worlds of aviation and auto racing through its collections of custom-made leather apparel. It was therefore only natural that the company would design and craft, in its workshops in Crocq (Creuse, France), the vegetable-tanned boxing-style leather strap that accompanies this watch. Hot-stamped with “Chapal Paris,” it fastens with a brass button, adding a touch of authenticity and refinement.

This chronograph is powered by the Seagull ST1901 caliber, a hand-wound movement whose history dates back to the 1930s. Its predecessor was developed in Moutier, Switzerland, by Fabrique d’ébauches Vénus SA, which filed a patent in 1933 for an innovative chronograph system. In the 1940s, the brand designed the legendary Venus 175, equipped with a column-wheel system, before selling a production facility for this caliber to the Tianjin Watch Factory in China in the 1960s.

This movement was then used in Project 304, launched by the People’s Republic of China to produce military chronographs for air force pilots. After several decades of inactivity, the Tianjin Watch Factory—renamed Seagull—resumed production of these movements, giving rise to the ST series, whose ST1901 now powers the 1972 Skyblue Kelton x Chapal chronograph.

The watch features a 40-mm-diameter sandblasted 316L stainless steel case and a sapphire crystal that offers optimal scratch resistance. Its beige dial is accented with hour markers and hands coated with SuperLuminova, ensuring perfect readability in the dark. It is water-resistant up to 10 ATM, making it a timepiece that is as robust as it is elegant.

The vegetable-tanned leather boxing-style strap, hot-stamped with “Chapal Paris,” complements this chronograph with an exceptional artisanal touch. Its brass clasp ensures a secure fit while adding a refined, vintage touch. Made in France, this strap showcases the unique craftsmanship of Chapal.

Designed and assembled in France, the 1972 Skysand Kelton x Chapal chronograph is a collector’s item that embodies the union of precision watchmaking and leather craftsmanship. With only 100 numbered pieces, it is intended for watch and history enthusiasts seeking a timepiece that combines performance, heritage, and exclusivity.

Skysand Version - Brown Leather Bracelet