Timemore Chestnut S3 / S3 ESP – Flagship Hand Grinder with External Adjustment
The adjustment ring turns like the focus ring of a lens, with fine, clear detents. A few turns, and the grounds lie evenly in the cup – ready for a clean, sweet infusion.
The S3 is Timemore's flagship hand grinder: new burr set, external adjustment based on the lens principle, custom bearings with tighter tolerances, and a tool-free drop-out burr system for maintenance. Coffee Coaching Club carries both versions – S3 and S3 ESP – and you can compare them directly in the showrooms in Zurich and Bern.
S3 or S3 ESP – which one is right for you?
Both share the casing, external adjustment, and custom bearings. The difference lies in the burr set. The S3 uses the patented S2C890 burr set made of hardened SUS420 stainless steel, optimized for filter and brewing methods: Timemore reduces fines in the 200–250 micrometer range and reinforces particles in the 250–400 micrometer range with a peak around 375 micrometers. In the cup, this means more body, more sweetness, and clearer acidity. For Pour-Over, AeroPress, French Press, and Cold Brew, the S3 is outstanding; it is not designed for espresso out of the box.
The S3 ESP uses the S2C-042-EI burr set with a six-arm conical geometry, developed for espresso. The burrs produce a narrower fine range, which facilitates pressure build-up during extraction and supports a richer crema. At the same time, the S3 ESP works very well for Pour-Over – it is the all-rounder of the series.
At a glance
| Burr set S3 |
42 mm S2C890 cone, SUS420 (filter-optimized) |
| Burr set S3 ESP |
42 mm S2C-042-EI cone (espresso-optimized) |
| Adjustment |
external, 90 clicks per rotation, 0.015 mm/click |
| Burr-Gap ex works |
0.075 mm |
| Bearings |
Custom High-Precision, 5 µm (20% tighter than predecessors) |
| Casing |
All-metal unibody, aluminum, ⌀ 55 mm |
| Bean hopper |
approx. 30 g (depending on density) |
| Weight |
approx. 700 g |
| Dimensions |
182 × 55 mm |
| Handle |
foldable, spring-assisted, patented |
| Maintenance |
Drop-Out-Burr-System (tool-free) |
| S3 for |
Pour-Over, AeroPress, French Press, Cold Brew |
| S3 ESP for |
Espresso, Moka, Pour-Over, French Press |
What external adjustment changes
Many hand grinders – including the earlier Timemore C3 – adjust internally below the burr set: unscrew the catch cup, turn blindly, hope to hit the right click. The S3 does things differently. The external ring with a numbered scale works like a camera lens: you see exactly where you are and switch from espresso (S3 ESP: click 1–15) to pour-over (click 50–80) with a single movement.
In terms of taste, reproducibility is what matters most. If you brew a clean V60 today, you want to find the same grind setting again tomorrow – without three tries. The 0.015-millimeter steps give you this precision, and the numbered scale makes the recipe shareable: V60, grind setting 62, 15 g, 250 ml, 93 °C – done.
Who it's for
If you mainly drink Pour-Over, AeroPress, or French Press, the S3 is the right choice – its S2C890 burr set is precisely designed for this and delivers the clearest, sweetest cups. If you also pull espresso, with a Flair, a Moka Pot, or a portafilter machine, choose the S3 ESP – it is the true all-rounder of the series.
Order directly online
Delivery throughout Switzerland and to Liechtenstein in 2 to 4 working days. Click and Collect in Bern, Gerberngasse 44 or Zurich, Hagenholzstrasse 50b – there you can experience both versions live. Questions about the grinder or the setup: office@coffeecoachingclub.ch or by phone during business hours.
What goes with it
For reproducible recipes, the Timemore Black Mirror Basic Mini is a good match. The S3 ESP harmonizes with a lever machine from the Flair Espresso collection; for filter coffee, a hand filter from the Hario collection or the Aeropress. Plus fresh beans like Cozy Chocolate, Nutty Delight or for the fruity filter Wild Peach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between S3 and S3 ESP?
The burr set. The S3 has the S2C890 for filter and brewing methods and is not designed for espresso ex works. The S3 ESP has the S2C-042-EI with six-arm conical geometry for espresso and also works well for Pour-Over.
What does external adjustment offer?
You adjust the grind size visibly via a numbered ring, without unscrewing anything – in steps of 0.015 millimeters. This makes settings precise and recipes reproducible.
Is the S3 suitable for espresso?
The S3 ESP is designed for espresso. The regular S3 is designed for filter and brewing methods and is not calibrated for espresso ex works.
Can I see the grinders before buying?
Certainly. In Bern and Zurich Oerlikon you can experience S3 and S3 ESP live. Bringing your own beans is welcome.
Roastery Tip
For the S3 with filter, we recommend a fruity coffee like Wild Peach in a V60 – the tight particle distribution clearly brings out the fruit. With the S3 ESP for espresso, a dense, chocolatey-nutty profile like Cozy Chocolate or Nutty Delight, 1:2 as a starting point, is a good fit. This is our recommendation, one of many.
