Carl Suchy & Söhne Vienna: history, models and owner reviews

The Carl Suchy & Söhne Vienna, launched in 2025, is an ultra-thin automatic watch conceived as a contemporary tribute to Vienna and, more specifically, Viennese Modernism as represented by architects such as Adolf Loos and Josef Hoffmann. Designed by Eric Giroud, it retains one of the elements that has become emblematic of the Maison since its modern revival: a rotating seconds disc positioned at 6 o’clock whose pattern aligns with the surrounding dial once every minute. The Vienna nevertheless substantially refines the concept of the Waltz N°1 through a stainless-steel case measuring only 39 mm in diameter, 41.2 mm in length and 7.9 mm thick. It is powered by the automatic CSS-V1 calibre developed with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, featuring a golden micro-rotor, 29 jewels, a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour and 48 hours of power reserve. Three inaugural interpretations are offered: Day, Night and Blue Danube, each characterised by a minimalist and architectural approach to dial design.

Design & legibility: Viennese Modernism reduced to the essentials

The design of the Vienna relies less on traditional decoration than on geometry, proportion and the interaction of light. Eric Giroud explicitly draws inspiration from Viennese Modernism and its rejection of unnecessary ornament. The dial is divided by a network of lines whose different orientations create several visual areas without conventional subdials. Applied rhodium-plated markers remain extremely slim and the openworked Dauphine hands continue the pursuit of visual lightness. The combination of geometric lines and a seconds disc almost disappearing into the dial pattern forms the essential distinguishing feature of the Vienna. From a distance, the complete watch appears extremely simple, but substantially more detail becomes visible when it is observed from different angles. Light causes certain lines to appear or disappear, giving depth to a dial that contains almost no traditional ornamental decoration.

The small seconds deserve particular attention because they do not operate like a conventional counter. A circular disc positioned at 6 o’clock reproduces part of the surrounding dial pattern and completes one revolution every minute. At one precise moment during that rotation, its lines align perfectly with the surrounding pattern and the disc appears momentarily to disappear into the composition. It then progressively moves out of alignment until the next revolution. The seconds disc transforms the passage of time into a visual animation rather than a dominant chronometric indication. This approach expresses the philosophy promoted by Carl Suchy & Söhne that not every second necessarily deserves to be counted obsessively. The function nevertheless remains completely mechanical and provides a permanent indication that the movement is running.

Hour and minute legibility remains good despite this graphic approach. Rhodium-plated markers receive Super-LumiNova and the hands provide enough contrast to remain separate from the dial. The domed sapphire crystal receives anti-reflective treatment on both surfaces to limit reflections generated by the numerous lines and metallic areas. Day favours an especially minimalist light tone, Night creates stronger black-and-white opposition, while Blue Danube introduces a colour directly associated with the Viennese imagination. The three dials use exactly the same architecture while providing very different levels of contrast and presence. Day appears the dressiest, Night the most graphic and Blue Danube the most expressive, without any variation changing the reading principle or mechanical specifications.

Case, strap and comfort: 39 mm and only 7.9 mm thick

The case represents one of the major developments compared with the Waltz N°1. The latter measures 41.5 mm and approximately 9.3 mm thick, whereas the Vienna is reduced to 39 mm in diameter and only 7.9 mm. Its 41.2 mm lug-to-lug measurement is especially restrained, allowing the watch to remain easily centred on smaller and average wrists. The case is made from 316L stainless steel and alternates polished and satin-brushed surfaces. The 39 x 41.2 x 7.9 mm proportions give the Vienna a substantially more discreet presence than the sophistication of its movement might suggest. It therefore slips easily beneath a cuff and behaves like a genuine dress watch, unlike many contemporary independent creations deliberately designed to be visually spectacular.

The domed sapphire crystal also contributes to the visual thinness. Its curvature follows the profile of the case closely and allows the dial to retain a large opening despite the reduced diameter. The caseback is also sapphire and screwed down, providing an unobstructed view of the CSS-V1 movement and its micro-rotor. Water resistance is limited to 3 bar, or 30 metres. The 30-metre water-resistance rating is the principal practical limitation of a watch clearly intended for dress and urban use. It handles accidental splashes and ordinary everyday situations but swimming, showering and immersion should be avoided. This figure contrasts with the technical level of the movement but remains coherent with the pursuit of thinness and the elegant case construction.

The strap measures 20 mm at the lugs and tapers to 18 mm towards the stainless-steel folding clasp. It is made from leather and fitted with quick-release spring bars so that it can be replaced without tools. Its inner surface receives a stamped pattern inspired by the coloured roof tiles of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, a detail that remains invisible while the watch is worn. The hidden decoration inside the strap illustrates the desire to multiply Viennese references without making them immediately ostentatious. The same restraint also appears on the movement side, where several historical and imperial references are reserved for the owner rather than displayed on the dial. Leather remains the most coherent choice for the reduced thickness and dress purpose of the model, although the standard 20 mm lug width facilitates alternative straps.

CSS-V1 calibre: Vaucher micro-rotor and Côtes-de-Vienne decoration

The Vienna is powered by automatic calibre CSS-V1 developed in collaboration with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier. It derives from the ultra-thin 5401 architecture already used in adapted form by the Waltz N°1, but Carl Suchy & Söhne gives it its own identity through finishing and presentation details. The movement has 29 jewels, operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour, or 3 Hz, and provides 48 hours of power reserve. The micro-rotor makes it possible to retain an extremely thin automatic movement without placing a conventional oscillating weight across the full width of the calibre. This architecture largely explains how the case can be limited to 7.9 mm while retaining automatic winding and a transparent back.

The micro-rotor is golden and engraved with historical Maison iconography, including the double griffins together with references to the double-headed eagle and Habsburg crown. Its small dimensions leave a substantial part of the bridges visible. These receive a specific finish called Côtes-de-Vienne, formed by lines that are more sweeping and organic than traditional parallel Geneva stripes. Côtes-de-Vienne decoration forms the principal visual evolution of the CSS-V1 compared with the VMF 5401 previously used in the Waltz N°1. It has no particular chronometric function but gives the mechanics an identity directly associated with the model and avoids presenting a supplier calibre in a standard untouched finish.

The movement powers hours, minutes and the rotating seconds disc positioned at 6 o’clock. There is no date or power-reserve indication, a logical decision to preserve the symmetry and purity of the dial. Forty-eight hours of autonomy are comparatively conventional today but appropriate for a dress watch likely to be worn regularly. A Vienna removed for a complete weekend may have stopped when picked up again, unlike certain contemporary 70- or 80-hour movements. The priority of the CSS-V1 is clearly thinness, execution quality and micro-rotor integration rather than the pursuit of exceptional autonomy. Manual winding nevertheless makes restarting easy and the absence of a date makes resetting particularly quick.

Chronological milestones and main models (2017–2025)

(2017) Carl Suchy & Söhne Waltz N°1 Revival and Waltzing Disc:

The modern revival of the Maison is embodied by an initial series of 22 watches presented in February 2017, a number chosen as a reference to the historical founding year of 1822. The Carl Suchy & Söhne Waltz N°1 not communicated establishes several codes that the future Vienna will retain: a dial structured by horizontal and vertical geometric lines, a rotating seconds disc at 6 o’clock and an automatic Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier movement with micro-rotor. Its stainless-steel case measures 41.5 mm and approximately 9.3 mm thick. The VMF 5401 operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour with 29 jewels and approximately 48 hours of power reserve. The disc aligns with the dial pattern once every minute, creating the animation referred to by the brand as the “Waltzing Disc”. This watch therefore becomes the true aesthetic and mechanical starting point for the Vienna eight years later.

 

(2025) Carl Suchy & Söhne Vienna Day Inaugural Light Interpretation:

Publicly presented in Geneva in April 2025, the Carl Suchy & Söhne Vienna Day V.01.001 is the lightest and most minimalist interpretation of the new collection. It uses a 39 mm 316L stainless-steel case measuring 41.2 mm in length and only 7.9 mm thick, with double-sided anti-reflective domed sapphire and a transparent caseback. Its white or silver dial is crossed by geometric lines and receives rhodium-plated Super-LumiNova markers together with the rotating seconds disc at 6 o’clock. Automatic CSS-V1 developed with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier has 29 jewels and provides 48 hours of power reserve. Its quick-release leather strap measures 20 mm at the lugs and its inner surface reproduces the pattern of the roof of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Water resistance limited to 30 metres confirms its purpose as a dress watch.

 

(2025) Carl Suchy & Söhne Vienna Night Black-and-White Contrast:

The most graphic variation in the inaugural series is the Carl Suchy & Söhne Vienna Night V.001.01.2. Its case retains exactly the same 39 mm diameter, 41.2 mm length and 7.9 mm thickness, while the dial combines a black galvanic background with white surfaces in order to strengthen contrast between the different geometric areas. Small seconds remain replaced by the characteristic rotating disc at 6 o’clock. Automatic calibre CSS-V1 provides 48 hours of reserve and operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour. The watch remains water-resistant to 30 metres and is worn on leather with a folding clasp. This reference is selected for the 2025 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in the Men’s category, giving the young Vienna collection international visibility during its first year on the market.

 

(2025) Carl Suchy & Söhne Vienna Blue Danube Chromatic Tribute to the Danube:

The third inaugural configuration introduces the colour most directly associated with the Viennese imagination. The Carl Suchy & Söhne Vienna Blue Danube not communicated combines the 39 mm stainless-steel case with a blue-and-white dial whose geometric lines reproduce exactly the construction of the Day and Night models. Its seconds disc at 6 o’clock completes one rotation every minute and momentarily completes the pattern surrounding it. The CSS-V1 with golden micro-rotor, developed with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, retains 29 jewels, a frequency of 3 Hz and 48 hours of power reserve. Its sapphire back reveals the Côtes-de-Vienne decoration and micro-rotor engravings. Water resistance remains 30 metres. The blue leather strap extends the dial colour while retaining the St. Stephen’s Cathedral-inspired pattern on its inner surface, strengthening the model’s relationship with the city.

 

Choosing the right version: Day, Night or Blue Danube

Day is the most classical version and probably the easiest to combine with formal clothing. Its light dial highlights changes in texture more than strong colour contrasts. It corresponds especially well to the idea of Viennese Modernism based on light, proportion and reduction of ornament. The Vienna Day is the most versatile choice for someone primarily seeking a discreet dress watch. Its only real disadvantage is that the seconds disc can appear less immediately visible than on a more contrasting execution, which is precisely one of the effects intended by the design.

Night is considerably more graphic. The black-and-white opposition immediately reveals the construction of the dial and gives the seconds disc greater presence. It remains sufficiently restrained for formal clothing but appears more contemporary and less classical than Day. The Vienna Night is the version best suited to someone wanting to immediately perceive Eric Giroud’s graphic work. Its selection at the 2025 GPHG also increases its historical interest within the first generation without changing its mechanical specifications compared with the other variations.

Blue Danube provides greater personality while remaining less radical than Night. Blue naturally has a strong symbolic relationship with Vienna but also works particularly well with the rhodium-plated surfaces, golden micro-rotor visible through the back and matching strap. Blue Danube is probably the best compromise between brand identity, originality and ease of wear. It will particularly suit a collector who already owns several white or black dress watches and wants an immediately identifiable piece without choosing an excessively bright colour.

The 39 mm diameter suits an extremely broad range of wrists, but the real difference compared with the Waltz N°1 comes from the 7.9 mm thickness and 41.2 mm overall length. The watch therefore remains compact even on a comparatively small wrist. Its 20 mm strap nevertheless provides enough presence to prevent the dial from appearing undersized. The Vienna is especially interesting for someone wanting a high-end independent watch that genuinely wears like a traditional dress watch. Trying it on will principally help with choosing the colour rather than verifying potentially difficult case dimensions.

The 30-metre water-resistance rating is, however, a genuine use constraint. The watch is not intended for swimming, water sports or environments in which it will regularly become wet. Its leather strap further reinforces this urban purpose. The micro-rotor and ultra-thin movement also deserve servicing by a professional familiar with high-end calibres of this type. The Vienna should be treated as a haute-horlogerie dress watch rather than an only watch capable of handling every situation. Someone accepting that specialisation receives in return thinness and elegance that are difficult to achieve with a substantially more water-resistant construction. Other customers’ opinions are essential.

Conclusion

The Carl Suchy & Söhne Vienna is aimed at enthusiasts seeking an independent dress watch in which design matters as much as mechanics. Its 39 mm case measuring only 7.9 mm thick, its dial designed by Eric Giroud and its rotating seconds disc translate the principles of Viennese Modernism into a contemporary watch without resorting to retro styling. The CSS-V1 developed with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier adds a micro-rotor, 48 hours of reserve and model-specific Côtes-de-Vienne decoration, while Day, Night and Blue Danube provide three very different interpretations of the same architecture. Night gains additional interest through its 2025 GPHG selection, although none of the versions is mechanically superior to the others. Its 30 metres of water resistance simply requires the watch to be used as the dress piece it genuinely is.

To compare comfort, accuracy, finishing quality and the appeal of the rotating seconds disc with extended real-world ownership, Dialicious customer reviews provide a particularly useful complement.

(Updated October 2026)