Flieger Chronograph M156 Jet Black - Ltd Ed 25pcs

The esteemed German brand Dievas makes a triumphant return with its new neo-vintage Teutonic chronograph, the Flieger Chronograph M156. Dievas first introduced its hybrid chronograph, the Timeattack, over a decade ago in 2011. This motorsports-oriented chronograph featured vivid, luminous sub-dials encased in hardened steel crafted by German metal specialist Fricker. Following its sell-out success, Dievas has been eagerly anticipating the release of a new chronograph. Finally, in 2024, the brand has delivered.

Dievas Flieger Chronograph M156 Jet Black - Ltd Ed 25pcs

We are excited to introduce the Dievas Flieger Chronograph M156, a timepiece that seamlessly blends the charm of vintage flieger watches with modern advancements. This model boasts original “New Old Stock” (NOS) flieger cases sourced from Pforzheim in Germany. For those unfamiliar with the place, Pforzheim is a  watch city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, including well-known watch manufacturers like Laco, Stowa, and our case-maker Fricker GmbH.

Dievas has partnered with several German manufacturers for years, collaborating on several projects including the Vortex and MG-1 seires. This time, the discovery of 50 NOS Flieger chronograph cases from the 1980s inspired a revival. Dievas aimed to recreate a true neo-vintage flieger chronograph, harking back to the military chronographs of the 1980s from brands like Stowa, Tutima, and Sinn.

Every element on the dial speaks functionality

Made and assembled entirely in Germany, the all-new Dievas Flieger Chronograph M156 features a 40mm wide, 14.3mm tall case with a 47mm lug-to-lug distance, made from classic 316L steel with a full matte finish. The watch case gets this particular matte “Teutonic” look thanks to its bead-blasted finishing, accentuating a professional rugged tool watch appeal. This non-reflective finish was essential for pilots to avoid visibility issues. Holding any professional Dievas watch case, one can immediately feel its quality and its cut above the rest.

Such a high-caliber case is an essential ingredient in fabricating a strong foundation before implementing a chronograph complication. The unisex sized watch includes a uni-directional scallop bezel with 60-minute markings and a re-lumed triangle pip at 12 o’clock.The clear-cut proportions of the scallop-grooves show both the strength and power of the case is an expression of.  While the omission of a tachymeter scale may surprise some, it underscores the watch's purpose-built nature. The case includes classic olive pushers and a screw-down crown, providing 50 meters of water resistance. Speaking of the geometry of these pushers, it is similar to the shape of an olive that gave it its name. Their peculiarity are usually found in vintage cases like the M156 itself, and they are particularly rare in the chronograph market.

Rotating scallop bezel with onion pushers bestow a certain vintage charm

Beneath the flat sapphire crystal lies a minimalist dial inspired by 1980s West German air force chronographs. The deep jet-black dial features stark white painted hours, numerals and a railway track minute rehaut. The block and pencil-shaped hour and minute hands, along with the running seconds hand at 9 o’clock, are white. The chronograph hands are bright red for enhanced legibility. Speaking of which, the hour markers and hands glows green in the dark for some night readings. Overall, the dial simply harks back nostalgic taste of those like the Orfina Porsche Design Chronograph 1 of the early 1970s and the Tutima 786 of the 1980s.

The watch's screw-down case back with a glass exhibition reveals the Swiss automatic Sellita SW500 caliber. This 25-jewel movement, a direct replacement for the Valjoux 7750, ticks at 28,800 BPH (4Hz) with a 48-hour power reserve. The three-plane cam style chronograph system operates smoothly with precise actuation. The movement supports a day-date display and features a custom perlage decorated “Dievas” winding rotor. Each case back is engraved with an individual serial number out of 50, marking its exclusivity.

SuperLuminova glows green in the dark

The Dievas Flieger Chronograph M156 comes with a 20mm premium FKM Dievas rubber strap from Germany and an additional handmade vintage whipped-stitched leather. Fluoroelastomer rubber, also known as FKM, represents the pinnacle of high-end rubber straps. Renowned for their outstanding comfort, flexibility, and exceptional resistance to chemicals and high temperatures, they have become a top choice in luxury sports watches. Their advantages include being hypoallergenic, highly resistant to heat, UV rays, and chemicals, making them perfect for extreme sports like surfing, mountaineering, and diving.

Both respective straps feature matching satined buckles where one bestow a modern touch while the latter provides  a vintage outlook. With its 40mm unisex sizing and 20mm lug width, the watch is versatile and can accommodate various straps, making it an ideal daily wearer.

Limited to only 25 pieces due to the availability of NOS cases, the Dievas Flieger Chronograph M156 is perfect for those seeking a neo-vintage chronograph that combines modern functionality with historical significance. This exclusive release encapsulates the rich heritage of Dievas and German watchmaking, offering a no-nonsense design with timeless appeal. Boy, are we glad Dievas continues to surprise us with these Teutonic tool watches.