Beretta and Italian watchmaking house La Vallée present the Beretta SO10 Kronos, a one-of-a-kind creation conceived to celebrate Beretta’s 500th anniversary. A masterpiece of mechanical engineering, the SO10 Kronos celebrates the passage of time by bringing the art of haute horlogerie into the heart of Beretta’s most exclusive shotgun.
Carlo Gussalli Beretta, PB Selection Business Development Manager at Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A., explains: “Gunmaking and watchmaking share many elements: craftsmanship, mechanical precision, attention to every detail and the constant pursuit of innovation, even in the smallest component. Among the unique creations dedicated to Beretta’s 500th anniversary, the SO10 Kronos is perhaps the most emblematic. Not only because of its exclusivity, but because of what it represents: time itself, the true protagonist of this extraordinary milestone.”
Massimiliano Quintavalle, CEO of La Vallée, describes the thinking behind the project: “The SO10 Kronos was born from the meeting of two Italian family traditions, different in history and expertise but united by the same innovative spirit and a deeply rooted culture of craftsmanship. The project grew from a shared desire to explore new possibilities, bringing two highly specialized mechanical worlds together around an exceptional object.
“Haute horlogerie is a constant search for the perfect balance between mechanics, engineering and craftsmanship. It means understanding how every component interacts with the others, rethinking structures and transforming technical complexity into something extraordinary. With the SO10 Kronos, this approach finds a new form of expression. The result is a unique creation in which the identity of each discipline remains clearly recognizable while the two come together in a shared vision: an authentic expression of Italian mechanical culture.”
Sapphire crystal side plates and exposed lockwork
To create the refined mechanism of the SO10 Kronos without compromising the shotgun’s structural integrity, each side plate was completely rethought as a single component: a monobloc element machined with extreme precision from high-strength steel. At the heart of the system, a gold trilobe spring secures the mechanism’s pins, replacing conventional screws with an elastic retention system inspired by precision watchmaking and engineered to withstand the severe stresses generated by firing. A newly developed opening system allows both side plates to be removed with a simple rotation of the specially shaped safety catch integrated into the crystal insert, fully exposing the meticulously finished components beneath.
The side plates were also designed around specially shaped sapphire crystals that reveal the complex beauty of the lockwork while preserving the structural characteristics required of the shotgun.
The sapphire crystal is secured through an innovative system inspired by traditional gold-inlay techniques used in fine gun engraving. A dedicated groove is machined around the crystal seat, into which gold is inserted and hammered by hand. The gold acts as a semi-rigid retaining medium, holding the crystal firmly in place while allowing the assembly to absorb the mechanical stresses generated by firing.
Luciano Sasso, Head of R&D at La Vallée, explains the approach behind the project: “For La Vallée, this project offered an opportunity to apply the same principles that guide our watchmaking creations: questioning established solutions, redesigning every component and manufacturing each one down to the smallest detail.
“The value of the SO10 Kronos, however, does not lie only in its individual technical solutions. The finishes were executed with the same attention we devote to the mechanisms of our timepieces. The profiles were shaped by hand, the surfaces individually prepared and the different finishes controlled with extreme precision. Every surface is enriched with authentic haute horlogerie finishing, from Côtes de Genève to polished bevels, gold sleeve bearings and delicate linear and radial satin finishes. It is the same meticulous pursuit of perfection found in the finest watches.”
The proven Beretta SO10 architecture beneath the Kronos
Despite its extraordinary reinterpretation, the Beretta SO10 Kronos remains faithful to the uncompromising engineering that defines every SO10.
Behind its refined appearance is an exceptionally robust architecture designed to withstand the passage of time and be handed down from one generation to the next. The receiver is machined from solid steel, with no castings or welds. A rear longitudinal locking bolt aligned with the hinge pins, two additional locking lugs in the lower receiver and the renowned trapezoidal barrel locking shoulders all contribute to the strength, reliability and longevity that have long defined the SO10 tradition.
Roberto Savassi, Beretta Over-and-Under Design Manager, explains: “If you want to open a glass window onto the mechanism of a shotgun, the SO10 is the natural choice: the SO10 itself is a true engineering masterpiece.
“But the SO10 mechanism is also the most complex to work with, manufacture and service, both from an engineering and a production standpoint. The extreme precision required to create a perfectly functioning firing mechanism on removable side plates creates a very delicate balance when existing components have to be redesigned around something completely new.
“We worked closely with La Vallée to bring some of the technical characteristics and finishing techniques of their watches into the Beretta SO10, even introducing entirely new geometries for components such as the side-plate release mechanisms. And I have to say that these solutions passed Beretta’s most demanding tests.”
Gold engraving and Grade 5 walnut
To balance the visual impact of the remarkable exposed mechanism, the receiver is embellished with a refined gold-inlaid border engraving that frames the action with elegance and proportion.
Subtle but significant details further enrich the design, from the gold-inlaid 500 Years logo on the underside of the receiver to the elaborate scrollwork decorating the locking shoulders, top lever and safety catch.
In keeping with the Beretta SO10 tradition, the shotgun is stocked in Grade 5 walnut. Its grain is brought to life by 80 coats of Tru-Oil applied by hand, creating exceptional depth, luminosity and tactile richness.
A leather case with its own viewing window
The one-off shotgun is completed by an equally distinctive black leather case built around the same design philosophy.
At its center, a transparent glass panel allows the SO10 Kronos to remain visible even when the case is closed, turning the case itself into part of the display. Inside, a custom black microfiber-lined interior, enriched with refined details and accessories, reinforces the sense of exclusivity while naturally drawing the eye toward the shotgun’s extraordinary side plates.
For a one-of-a-kind creation such as this, talking about price is both pointless and beside the point. Its purpose is to capture a defining moment in Beretta’s history, like a bookmark placed in a story that continues to be written, day after day.
More information: www.pietroberetta.com
