The Vintage-Valjoux-Powered Singer Heritage Collection

• The Singer Heritage Assortment chronograph
• Singer design parts
• Empire inexperienced and black lacquered dials
• Pricing and availability
• Some extra ideas on the Singer Heritage Assortment

One in every of final yr’s largest horological surprises for me was the Singer Divetrack, an unbelievable piece of engineering and design by Singer Reimagined founder Marco Borraccino. However I additionally shortly realized that its value of CHF 85,000 meant I may solely admire it from a distance. That’s nice; I don’t have to personal every little thing I like. This yr, although, Singer Reimagined is making me calculate my watch finances. Meet the Singer Heritage Assortment chronograph, housing a motion based mostly on a classic (1974) Valjoux 236 column-wheel chronograph caliber. As you may see, this new Singer Reimagined is a two-register chronograph.

The Singer Heritage Assortment chronograph

Borraccino and his crew have been capable of supply some Valjoux 236 calibers in New Previous Inventory situation. Which means watchmakers had by no means touched or used these actions earlier than, they usually have been merely “forgotten” or saved by their earlier proprietor(s) for no matter purpose. The Valjoux 236 — on this case, dubbed the SR2361 — is the faster-beating successor of the enduring Valjoux 23.

Singer Reimagined’s crew fastidiously disassembled these actions, refinished them, and assembled them once more. Singer’s ending consists of frosted bridges, hand-polished chamfers, and rhodium plating. The watchmakers additionally made some small tweaks for higher efficiency. As you may see within the image, the actions are engraved with “Restored by Singer,” which sums it up fairly properly. Caliber SR2361 affords a 48-hour energy reserve and has working seconds at 9 o’clock and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock.

Singer design parts

Taking a look at this new Singer Heritage Assortment chronograph, we see a number of of the model’s signature design parts. How in regards to the sunray satin end on the stainless-steel case and the toothed golden flange? We’ve additionally seen these design parts on the Track1 (sunray end) and the 1969 (toothed flange). To not point out, the circular-brushed steel cabochon topping the chronograph seconds hand unmistakably makes this Heritage Assortment chronograph a real Singer Reimagined watch.

For this watch, Singer makes use of a 38.8mm case with a pleasant 11.75mm thickness. If I’m not mistaken, that is the smallest watch from the model. The metal case has a sunray satin end, as talked about above, together with mirror-polished chamfers and a box-type sapphire crystal with a double antireflective coating. Moreover, the sapphire window within the case again supplies a fantastic alternative for homeowners to admire the Valjoux-based SR2361 motion.

Empire inexperienced and black lacquered dials

Singer affords two dial choices for its Heritage Assortment chronograph. There’s a inexperienced lacquered dial in reference SR602 and a black lacquered dial in reference SR601. Singer refers back to the inexperienced shade as “Empire inexperienced,” and it is perhaps my most popular choice. It definitely attracts the attention, however in order for you one thing extra basic, the black lacquered dial is superb too, in fact. Each dials have the toothed golden flange, utilized faceted hour markers, and an utilized Singer emblem at 12 o’clock. Singer gave the sword-style fingers an utility of orange Tremendous-LumiNova for higher readability below low-light circumstances. All of the printing on the dial is ecru, providing nice distinction no matter whether or not you decide the Empire inexperienced or black dial. Each watches even have the orange chronograph seconds hand.

The Singer Heritage Assortment chronographs every include a dial-matching strap: a grained leather-based black strap for the SR601 and a khaki-green strap for the SR602. A grained leather-based inexperienced strap is non-compulsory. These straps taper from 20mm to 18mm on the Singer-signed stainless-steel buckle.

Pricing and availability

I began this text with a remark about how a lot I just like the Singer Divetrack but in addition how its CHF 85,000 value vastly exceeded my watch finances. This new Heritage Assortment chronograph has a relatively accessible retail value of CHF 16,700 (ex. VAT), and Singer restricted the 2 variants to simply 100 items whole. The latter is because of the variety of NOS Valjoux 236 actions that Singer was capable of supply. I’m obsessed on the watch, regardless that I’ve solely seen it in pictures for now. This Heritage Assortment chronograph is essentially the most reasonably priced watch in Singer’s catalog, and utilizing a NOS Valjoux motion was undoubtedly a key think about figuring out the worth.

Though some would possibly debate whether or not admiring a Singer with no Singer motion is a good suggestion, it does match Singer’s idea. The corporate’s three pillars are “reimagined,” “restored,” and “reborn.” These Valjoux-based column-wheel chronograph actions are restored and reborn inside this new Singer Heritage Assortment.

Some extra ideas on the Singer Heritage Assortment

I’m extremely enthusiastic about this new Singer challenge and may’t wait to attempt it on my wrist. For me, this watch shouldn’t be about chopping corners however about providing one thing “restored” in one of the simplest ways attainable with the everyday Singer Reimagined design. As I stated, the Empire inexperienced one ticks the containers for me, however maybe after I see the watches in actual life, this desire will change. I don’t imagine the Singer Heritage Assortment will probably be simple to get at this value and amount, however I guess the 100 items will shortly promote out. Effectively, I’m nonetheless excited to have the prospect to attempt one on my wrist at the least as soon as subsequent week.

The Singer Heritage Assortment SR601 and SR602 include a three-year guarantee and can solely be obtainable in chosen boutiques. Every watch is available in a custom-designed leather-based case with a “Restored by Singer” certificates. Moreover, it features a booklet with all the main points in regards to the motion’s historical past and restoration course of.

Go to the Singer Reimagined website for extra data, and tell us what you consider these Heritage Assortment chronographs within the feedback beneath!

Watch specs