You can draw design parallels to Richard Mille if you like in the Cvstos Challenge Chrono II watches and other Cvstos designs. I don’t know that it would be wrong, but I also don’t know if it matters. In this price category, the competition isn’t Richard Mille but rather certain watches from brands like Audemars Piguet and Hublot. I think that when it comes to sheer value for the complexity of the watches and unique parts, Cvstos might have them beat with overall lower prices. That said, Cvstos does have its share of artistic and tourbillon watches as well.

Not everyone is a fan of modern skeletonized dial design on sport watches, but I can get into them if they are well-done and legible. Cvstos does a pretty good job of ensuring legibility with the white-lume-coated hands and hour markers on the otherwise deep and complex dial. It isn’t a look for everyone, but if you are interested in a modern sport watch whose aim is to show off difficult-to-produce small parts and elaborate design, then I don’t think you’ll be unhappy here. Nothing about the dial feels “utilitarian,” but that isn’t what Cvstos is going for. This isn’t a brand that is afraid to show off, and neither should their customers be. For what it’s worth, these are some crazy dials that nevertheless feel conservative when it comes to delivering the functionality you expect from a timepiece.

Using a similar style case as the black and red carbon Cvstos Challenge Chrono II Carbon Honolulu, the limited edition Cvstos Challenge Pedrosa Carbon opts for a black and orange carbon case. This limited edition model was produced for Spanish motorcycle racing driver Dani Pedrosa – and in the scope of limited edition watches for driving athletes, I found this watch to be pretty cool. Cvstos removed the subsidiary seconds dial and instead reproduced Pedrosa’s cartoon style ninja logo which I felt was really nicely done. The chronograph subdials were further made to look like large brakes… with amazingly cool detail. I don’t say this often, but this is a limited edition watch for a person and sport that is well-done. Sure, you sort of need to be a MotoGP and Pedrosa fan to be into this timepiece, but if you are (and can afford it), then this is one hell of a testament to your passion that you’ll be happy to show off on your wrist. It helps if you like orange as well.

While the two above-mentioned Cvstos Challenge Chrono II watches focus on carbon as a case material, most of the Cvstos Challenge Chrono II watches have steel or titanium cases. The final version of this Cvstos chronograph watch that I’m looking at has a case produced with both titanium and 18k rose gold elements. Rose gold takes on a very subdued and arguably industrial look when offered in a brushed versus polished finish. Depending on the look you are going for, this is either a good or bad thing. Then again, on watches like this which are clearly inspired by modern industrial design, going for a more “tool style” look is going to be a plus-factor.

Grays and rose gold tones are accented with a hint of blue which works well with the overall composition. You get a wild look without it looking silly or overdone – at least in my opinion. Again, because the dial mostly emphasizes the functional elements (same with the case, for that matter) the decorative and skeletonized elements serve more as embellishments rather than stealing focus from the purely practical elements of the watch (which is a good thing).

I’d like to note that Cvstos produces the Challenge watches with two different case sizes. There is the 41mm-wide by 53.70mm-tall Challenge case seen in these three watches, and there is also the larger “Challenge GT” case which is 45mm wide by 59mm tall. These Challenge GT watches are best for those people with appropriately thick wrists or else they will look silly to wear. Moreover, the brand offers the Cvstos Challenge Chrono II watches on alligator straps, as well as the pictured rubber straps. You can see how, on at least some versions, there is a neat-looking custom deployant clasp. It helps complete the unique look of the watch, but unfortunately, I believe that you need to cut the strap to size (which is never something I enjoy or prefer in a watch, as it means it is hard to resize the strap).

Some clever design elements and a lot of passion for show and play (along with a penchant for modern high-end design) marks the Cvstos brand. Prices aren’t out of line either with what the competition is offering, and I think those drawn to the look of these watches will further be impressed by the quality. The Cvstos manufacture is located in Geneva proper, and what is sort of also cool is that, given its metropolitan setting, you can walk right by and see the watchmakers at work (which is rare, to say the least). Prices for the Cvstos Challenge Chrono II watches starts at 15,000 Swiss francs in steel as well as black-coated steel. In steel and carbon the watch is 16,500 Swiss francs, and the all-carbon case like the Challenge Chrono II Carbon Honolulu is 18,000 Swiss francs. The two-tone titanium and 18k red gold model is priced at 23,000 Swiss francs. cvstos.com