The Versatile Chameleon

Exposed side screws and a shackle crown make Charriol’s Actor XXL Automatic Chronograph memorably unique.

Charriol Actor XXL Automatic Chronograph
Series: Actor
Functions: Chronograph
(12 hours + 30 minutes + small seconds), date, hours, minutes, seconds
Case: Stainless steel,
Ø 42mm
Movement: Self-winding
Water Resistance: 50m
Bracelet Strap: Brown crocodile leather fastened by a pushpiece folding clasp

DESIGNED UNCONVENTIONALLY with unusually large dimensions, the Actor series of watches deviates from the traditional vertical school of design. With its strong predisposition for fancy, whimsical silhouettes, Charriol gives the tried-and-tested tonneau, rectangular, and square case a new twist by stretching it—horizontally. Bracelet straps are likewise expanded width-wise, and just like their namesake, they can assume a new identity (they are actually interchangeable).

Charriol’s latest Actor, the XXL Automatic Chronograph is quite the looker. True to its thespian heritage, the XXL Automatic Chronograph conceals nothing from the public eye—both the oscillating self-winding movement (seen through the sapphire caseback) and the case’s side screws are visible to all and sundry. Its robust square case also comes with a unique knob-like crown (Charriol calls it a “shackle crown”). That’s not even the best part. Seen on the dial’s sleek silvered surface are three overlapping chronograph counters (12 hours at 6 o’clock, 30 minutes at 9 o’clock, and small seconds at 3 o’clock). These geometric sub-dials are bordered by a daunting Roman “XII” at 12 o’clock, and applied angular hour indexes are set around the periphery.

A crocodile leather in dark brown fastened by a pushpiece folding clasp complements the XXL Automatic Chronograph’s stainless steel square case.