Memphis Belle "Crono Frecce": a brief review of an old friend

Released in 2005 by italian manufacturer Memphis Belle to celebrate the Italian National Aerobatic Team “Frecce Tricolori”’s 45th anniversary.

A lightweight quartz chrono with the notable central minute hand configuration. A vivid blue dial displays chrono tenths of seconds on the right, chrono hours on the left and running seconds at 6 o’clock. Chrono minutes and seconds are indicated by two central hands: this is the same configuration found on mechanical chronos installed on many older military aircrafts. It offers a way superior readability of elapsed times.

The aircraft shaped, orange hand: the central minute chrono hand!

On the dial, at 12 o’clock is present the Frecce Tricolori squadron insignia and at 6 o’clock the squadron italian name: 313° Gruppo. Full lume hours and minute hands and overall high contrast palette guarantee a super easy to read display. The bezel is 60 clicks, unidirectional.

The screw-in back holds various info. On the top the 45th anniversary logo. Below it the Memphis Belle logo. At the center of the case back we find the Frecce Tricolori three arrows logo, the side view of their airplane (Aermacchi MB-339) and the reminder "Limited edition". Those watches were gifted to Frecce Pilot's and the owner had their name engraved below the aircraft silouette (photo-erased in the picture above). Last info is the piece number, out of 1000 units built. Crowning the back case some usual tech specs. The most original one being: "tested 20G". It refers to the acceleration rating the watch has been tested to.

Logged crown.

The watch came with a full titanium bracelet but in the picures it's wearing an aftermarket Hirsch.

Holding a solid lume performance. The bezel dot though is a bit on the weak side.

TECHNICAL DATA

Reference

Crono Frecce

Between lugs 

22 mm

Lug‑to‑lug 

52 mm

Thickness 

15.3 mm

Case diameter 

43 mm

Case

titanium

Crystal

Domed scratch‑resistant sapphire crystal with anti‑reflective treatment on both sides

Water resistance

10 bar (100 metres / 300 feet)

Total product weight (approx.)

head only 69 g, on Hirsch strap 89 g

Calibre

ETA 251.262 quartz

I have had this watch since it came out in 2005 and it had its fair share of wrist time. Its titanium case has well resisted scratches and wear (as can be seen from the pictures). It is a large watch but being very light it always feels comfortable to wear. It may not be pretty but It is a tool watch and I use it so: to measure time and especially elapsed times. Its strongest point, to me, is its central minute hand configuration and its high contrast dial. Readability is, definitely, its strongest suit. Overall is a fairly well built tool watch. I still enjoy using it, after almost twenty years.

I hope you enjoyed this little review on a fairly uncommon but quite interesting watch.

I would love to read your comments, especially on the central hand configuration.

Let me know if you have any question.

Ciao!