Swiss precision goes by the name Mondaine Stop2Go

And no, it’s not a Mondaine, although it might be. After all, their unique Stop2Go feature controls rail traffic throughout this beautiful country beneath the Alps. We’ll demonstrate how this system works using the Mondaine Stop2Go MST.41020.LBV.2SE model. This watch brings the Stop2Go feature to wristwatches as well.

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The history of the Mondaine brand dates back to 1951. One could therefore say that it is a relatively young Swiss watchmaking company. While other companies at that time were already competing to create the most accurate chronograph or to incorporate two time zones into their watches, and others were already diving into the oceans in pursuit of the most water-resistant watches, But this small brand was just getting started.

Even so, Mondaine has carved out a unique niche for itself in the watchmaking industry, thanks to which virtually every Swiss person has come into contact with this brand. 

Switzerland is rightly called the railway paradise of the world. For that to truly be the case, everything must run like a Swiss watch—just like a Mondaine. More than sixty years ago, Mondaine Watch designed a unique concept and collection of Swiss station clocks. These iconic station clocks still adorn every train station in the country to this day.

As a point of interest, on average, every Swiss person takes 74 train trips per year. When you factor in boarding and exiting, that means at least 148 encounters with the Mondaine brand for each person in a single year. When we then take into account a population of around 9 million, we can honestly say that few watch companies in the land of the Swiss cross enjoy brand awareness quite like the one from the small town of Biberist. 

Unique at first glance

When you look at the design, it’s clear that Mondaine doesn’t try to be anything it isn’t. Their watches aren’t influenced by any trends currently shaping the watchmaking world. Mondaine strictly adheres to its visual style and unique signature look. This is built on distinctive, numeral-free hour markers and the iconic red second hand, which symbolizes a train conductor’s baton.

These days, you can also find watches in more youthful and vibrant color combinations, featuring pale blue, pink, or even green dials. But in my opinion, the essence of these watches lies precisely in that black-and-white combination with a red second hand on a black leather strap. Simply put, it’s Switzerland on your wrist, just as it should be. When I look at my wrist, I can confidently say that very little can truly compare to what Mondaine produces.

A Complication Like No Other

If you asked me my opinion on automatic versus quartz movements, I would always side with automatic watches. Of course, you’ll also find automatic movements in some Mondain watches (for more on the differences between movements, see the article “Quartz vs. Mechanical Watches”).

What really stands out, though, is the quartz Stop2Go function, which is so fascinating that once I put the watch on my wrist, I couldn’t take my eyes off the dial and the red hands. It’s been a long time since watching a watch tick away has been such a pleasure for me.

• The uniqueness of this feature—if we want to get technical—lies in the fact that the quartz movement is calibrated so that the second hand completes one full rotation around the watch in 58 seconds.
• Then the clock stops for 2 seconds, after which the minute hand jumps forward one minute.
• Only then does the second hand resume its movement.

This exact same system is also used in the clocks of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB for short) and serves to synchronize the time at all train stations. A reference to the partnership between SBB and Mondaine naturally adorns both the dial and the case back of the watch. 

Less is more, unless…

Minimalist design. The compact 41-millimeter case without a crown (check out the video below the article to see the watch’s original setup) enhances its railroad watch aesthetic. The understated 20-millimeter strap width, in turn, offers great versatility for swapping out straps—including various types of NATO straps, which would definitely look great on this watch.

Minimalism and classic design truly live up to their name here—until I get to another “mini” detail: water resistance. Isn’t 30 meters a bit too little for an everyday watch that you might be wearing when a real downpour hits the foothills of the Swiss Alps? Maybe so, but from the very first glance, the Mondaine doesn’t look like the kind of watch you’d take on outdoor adventures.

Mondaine watches are worn by those who hop on the train every morning and head to Swiss companies and corporations with the goal of maximizing precision and profit 😉. These watches really do give you “a lot of bang for your buck.”

The Stop2go complication is simply something that sweeps all the petty reasons for saying “no” under the rug with a clear verdict: this watch is fun precisely because it’s so brilliantly simple. It’s available at Helveti for 17,590. In addition to the version with a white dial, there’s also a smaller women’s model with a 34mm case, as well as a model on a strap.