INTRODUCING: The Cyrus Klepcys DICE Racing is a stimulating blast of organised chaos
Fergus NashRacing watches are some of the most desirable and historically significant models that have ever been released. While tool watches meant for the military and divers have mostly lost their original purpose, the exhilarating themes and overt extravagance of a racing chronograph is still as relevant to motorsport today as it was in the 1960s. Tying into their sponsorship deal with the Haas F1 team, the Cyrus Klepcys DICE Racing is the latest addition to their extraordinary collection of dual-chronographs, pumping up the adrenaline at every level.
The dial
Diving straight into the action, the Cyrus Klepcys DICE Racing’s dial is a masterpiece of organised chaos. The DICE in the name isn’t a reference to the casinos of Monte Carlo, instead it’s an acronym for Double Independent Chronograph Evolution. This pretty much means what it says on the tin — that the Klepcys DICE Racing features two chronograph complications merged into one single movement. These movements are differentiated by colour and orientation on the skeletonised dial, with vivid red hands and numerals outlining the traditional chronograph anchored at 12 o’clock, and a blue version that resets to the 6 o’clock position.
Despite the complexity of having two sets of numerals on the chapter ring, the Cyrus Klepcys DICE Racing remains surprisingly legible. Silver hands point firmly to white Arabic numerals that are printed on a sapphire disc, itself coated with anti-reflective properties. The subdial at 9 o’clock has a triple-pronged wheel that acts as a running seconds hand, while the red and blue hands on the 3 o’clock subdial count the chronograph minutes.
The case
Crafted from grade 5 titanium, the case of the Cyrus Klepcys DICE Racing is available in either a polished finish or with a black DLC treatment for a stealthier look. The bezel is made from carbon fibre, adding to the racing credentials and breathing some life into the case through the grey swirls from the resin process. The cushion shape works well in softening the effect of having a crown and pushers on both sides of the case. The symmetry may be distracting on a more traditional case shape, but here it would almost look alien without them.
You may have expected a watch like this to be absolutely huge, but Cyrus have managed to keep the Klepcys DICE Racing within impressive constraints. Not including the crowns, which have a blue or red anodised ring to show you which chronograph you’re operating, the diameter is 42mm. The lugs, which jut out from the case in a claw-like manner, are well controlled at 48mm lug-to-lug and this keeps the watch very wearable across a variety of wrist sizes. The 16.5mm thickness definitely makes for a chunky watch, but considering some companies struggle to keep single chronographs below 15mm, it’s quite impressive.
The movement
The Cyrus Klepcys DICE Racing uses the in-house CYR718 movement, a 443-component beast with both performance and aesthetics in mind. The beat rate of 28,800vph and the 60-hour power reserve is welcome, but the real impressive aspects come from how the two chronograph movements are integrated while remaining completely independent. The whole movement is actually contracted backwards from a regular calibre, so that you can see the red and blue column wheels from the skeletonised dial side.
The mastermind behind the CYR718 is Jean-Francois Mojon, who is Cyrus’ Technical Director among many other things. He founded the innovative Chronode SA, through which he worked on such innovative projects as the Harry Winston Opus X — displaying the time on a set of fluidly rotating subdials. His philosophies are far-reaching and numerous, however the underlying one which defines his complications is the fact that watch lovers need something beautiful to look at.
The different finishes on many of the components give a lot of contrast to the orchestration of metals, further increasing the depth of the watch. You may think that just because the front is great to look at that the back isn’t worth flipping over, but Cyrus have seen to that. The reverse of the Klepcys DICE Racing has a marvellous display of different finishing techniques and radiant shapes, plus a view of the annular balance wheel and signed mainspring through the skeletonised winding rotor.
The Cyrus Klepcys DICE Racing pricing and availability:
The Cyrus Klepcys DICE Racing is strictly limited to just 30 pieces split between the raw or DLC titanium cases. Price: On Request
| Brand | Cyrus |
| Model | Klepcys DICE Racing |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm x 48mm x 16.5mm |
| Case Material | Titanium |
| Water Resistance | 100 Metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire with anti-reflective coating |
| Dial | Skeleton |
| Lug Width | 24mm |
| Strap | Cordura and additional Black Rubber Strap |
| Movement | CYR718 |
| Power Reserve | 60 hours |
| Availability | Limited to 30 pieces |
| Price | $40,600 USD |