Watch collectors will already be thinking about next year’s Watches and Wonders reveals, with the event recently releasing its 2026 dates. Armed with infinite hours of rabbit hole researching and more than a few strongly held opinions, there’s sure to be more than one horology fan that thinks ‘I would have done that better.’
So what happens when a collector actually follows through on it? Guebly and its founder Adnane Kerd, a lifelong enthusiast of Swiss timekeeping, founded Guebly to express everything he admired in watchmaking: elegance, mechanical complexity, exceptional finishing and honest design. Named after a Mediterranean wind, the brand reflects his cultural roots and the desire to create a lasting impression in independent horology.
His latest creation, the CH1 Rétrograde, is a bold follow-up to the 2023 debut Prologue model. Limited to 80 pieces, the new watch blends technical sophistication with refined design, and represents Kerd’s transformation from collector to watchmaker.
The CH1 Rétrograde features a 42mm grade 5 titanium case with 23 sculpted facets, designed in collaboration with renowned watch architect Éric Giroud. The silver dial is hand-guilloché to mimic desert dunes and fitted with a retrograde seconds display, sweeping 120° and resetting every 30 seconds. The retrograde appliqué is adorned with champlevé Grand Feu enamel for an artisanal touch.
Powering the watch is the caliber 21.31, a reworked micro-rotor movement. It includes a 5N gold (soon-to-be platinum) micro-rotor, titanium bridges and plates, and an impressive 70-hour power reserve. All 217 components are hand-finished by master craftsmen, featuring bevels, snailing, graining, and mirror-polished details.
As Kerd explains, “CH1 Rétrograde is about making something timeless – minimalist in form, maximalist in care.” This latest release proves that passion, when paired with vision, can lead to something truly extraordinary.