Sports chronograph specialist Singer Reimagined made significant strides last year with the debut of the brand’s smallest and most wearable watch, the 1969. This year, the watchmaker continues to expand its unisex 1969 collection by introducing two new color palettes: a tone-on-tone stainless steel watch with a silver dial and the brand’s very first bronze watch.

Each palette includes two models: the 1969 Chronograph and the 1969 Timer. The Chronograph, the brand’s most complex watch to date, incorporates a central chronograph seconds, jumping minutes, and jumping hours. Conversely, the Timer is a three-hand watch with a unique and playful seconds hand that doubles as a flyback or zero-reset one-minute timer.

Singer’s inaugural bronze case

Reflecting on Singer’s track record, one may find it amusing that the brand has experimented with various materials in the past, including gold, ceramic-coated aluminum, and forged carbon, yet bronze was conspicuously absent. The new 1969 marks Singer’s first foray into bronze timepieces.

This milestone is notable because the 1969 bronze watch is well-executed. Its smaller 40mm size and combination of polished and brushed finishes give it a luxurious military vibe. This sets it apart from most bronze watches, which tend to be larger and fully brushed, lacking subtle refinement. The 1969 has a distinct look and feel, reminiscent of refined off-road aesthetics, like  a Porsche 911 Dakar.

Wearable 1969 collection

Debuting just last year, the essence of the 1969 collection lies in its refined aesthetics. Compared to past models, the collection boasts a significantly smaller size – a mere 40mm versus the earlier 43mm. These three millimeters make a world of difference, especially on a cushion case that can tend to read bulky. Having tried both sizes, it’s clear the 1969 offers superior comfort and elegance on the wrist.

Another standout feature of the 1969 design is the inclusion of a bracelet. Though not integrated, it’s cleverly designed to seamlessly blend with the case. This effect is achieved through the  use of ultra-short end links and lugs, creating the illusion that the bracelet starts directly from the case, akin to a typical integrated-bracelet design.

The bracelet’s design is notable for two reasons. Firstly, it flows seamlessly from the case, making it feel like an integral part of the watch. Secondly, it includes just enough detailing to make it visually intriguing. With its angular links and a mix of brushed and polished finishes, the bracelet adds a touch of refinement.

A touch of Porsche makes for excellent dial design

More broadly speaking, while the highlight of the 1969 collection lies in its wearable case and handsome bracelet, none of these elements would be as significant without a well-designed dial. 

The dial of the 1969 draws inspiration from the dashboard meter of vintage Porsche 911s, reflected in the shape and color of the seconds hand. What’s impressive about Singer’s dial design is its blend of originality and aesthetic appeal. It effortlessly incorporates retro elements while adding thoughtful modern touches, resulting in a dial that feels both familiar and unique.

A notable feature is its simplified layout, lacking the clutter of sub-dials found in many chronographs. Despite its simplicity, the dial remains visually interesting thanks to clever marker and track arrangements, along with a fluted internal bezel. This is particularly evident in the stainless steel version of the 1969 Chronograph, featuring a three-tone dial and a window for hours and minutes at six o’clock.

Furthermore, Singer’s attention to typography is evident. The brand employs a classical font for its logo and a modern font for model descriptions, creating an intriguing contrast. Additionally, the choice of font for Arabic numerals, with its sans-serif style and rounded corners, adds a touch of warmth, distinct from the usual modern numerals.

Intriguing movement

By that logic, a beautiful dial wouldn’t be as attractive without a clever and intellectually interesting movement beneath it. Fortunately, Singer delivers on this front.

As a brand co-founded by Jean-Marc Wiederrecht, a key figure at movement specialist Agenhor, Singer’s chronograph movements boast top-notch designs and constructions. Take, for instance, the more complex 1969 Chronograph. The AGH 6365 movement features central chronograph seconds, jumping minutes, and jumping hours — a rare configuration. With almost 500 parts, many of which are visible from the back, thanks to a clever automatic rotor design hidden under the dial, it’s an interesting piece of engineering.

In summary, both the 1969 Chronograph and 1969 Timer are watches that complement one of the world’s best sports cars. Their design, movement, and overall quality uphold the reputation of the Porsche 911 — and may even rival the finely-tuned versions by Singer.

Discover the 1969 Collection here.

Singer Reimagined 1969 Chronograph

Movement: Automatic-winding AGH 6365; 72-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours and minutes; chronograph function with instantaneous hours, minutes, and seconds
Case: 40mm × 13.8mm; steel or bronze; water-resistant to 100m
Dial: Silver (steel) or matte green (bronze)
Strap: Steel bracelet or textile and leather strap
Availability: Limited to 25 pieces per year
Price: CHF 53,500 (steel); CHF 55,000 (bronze)

Singer Reimagined 1969 Timer

Movement: Manual-winding AGH 6363; 72-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours and minutes; central seconds with zero-reset function
Case: 40mm × 13.8mm; steel or bronze; water-resistant to 100m
Dial: Silver (steel) or matte green (bronze)
Strap: Steel bracelet or textile and leather strap
Availability: Limited to 25 pieces per year
Price: CHF 31,500 (steel); CHF 32,500 (bronze)