Design Style: The Chronobay Watch Stand

How many times have you noticed during lockdown that you have acquired another scratch on the clasp of your watch bracelet? The main culprit, for me at least, is the edge of my Macbook. So during lockdown, and for the foreseeable future as I work at my office desk, I got into the habit of taking my watch off as I work. Popping it in my favourite Bulang and Sons pouch or Ettinger watch roll is an option, but I quite like to look at my watch as I work and, call me old fashioned, but I like to use it to tell the time! What I was missing was a Chronobay stand…

Chronobay is the brainchild of Timen van der Horn who has a passion for design and watches. He likes to do things properly, especially when starting a new hobby or venture. “A few years back I was looking for a good watch,” explains Timen. “Like with everything I buy, privately or for my company, I cannot make a final decision until I feel that I am getting the absolute best value for money. That process involved massive amounts of research, reading watch blogs, forums, binge-watching Youtube, you name it! It took almost a full year of research before I pulled the trigger on my first watch, an Omega Seamaster from the late 70’s.” Instead of just doing research on which watch to buy, it grew into a hobby for Timen and he hasn’t looked back since.

Since the acquisition of that 70’s Omega, how has Timen’s watch collecting evolved? “I’ve been a big fan of the models that Tudor has been releasing in the past years, and currently wear my Tudor Black Bay 58 Blue on a daily basis.” As his hobby grew he began to think about what was missing from his own watch accessory collection and realised he wanted a great quality stand. He believes that if you are going to keep your watch on a stand, it should be as elegant and beautifully engineered as the watch it holds. Initially conceived as a nightstand for collectors and connoisseurs alike, the need for a workspace solution became the primary market for Chronobay. Launched this summer, following a series of prototypes and test pieces, the Chronobay is now available and has been selling like hot cakes across the globe.

Says Founder Timen van der Horn: “Wearing a high value watch can be an obstacle in everyday life. The risk of scratching and depreciating your watch while working behind on a computer makes that watch collectors rather take off their watch during these activities. When taking off your beloved watch, it should still be in the centre of attention. Chronobay Watch Stands are designed with this in mind. It is a graceful Watch Stand designed to elevate and showcase your precious timepieces. Our Watch Stands enhance the aesthetics of the watch, giving it the place is deserves.”

The stands are all hand assembled in the Chronobay workshop in Sweden. Each Chronobay comprises the finest hand polished 316L steel arm with a calf-skin pillow that is handmade in Florence Italy by artisans. The marble bases are from the best quality blocks that are from Italy, Spain and Guatemala in three colours – Guatemala Verde, Marquina Nero and Carrara Bianco.

What’s next for Chronobay? “First I want to focus on fine-tuning the production of the current collection of Chronobay Watch Stands. I need to find a bigger workshop and expand my facility with machines that allow me to do some of the manufacturing steps in-house. I also receive many requests for personalisation of the stand and aim to provide customers with some options for that. Second, I want to launch a stand with place for more than one watch, but that will happen once I find a larger workshop!”