The Syncro

From Straton -

Courtesy of Straton

Straton makes fun, good looking watches that are aggressively priced, and offer a HUGE bang for the buck. And I say that as a satisfied and loyal customer. More and more, I have become a huge fan of Seiko's Meca Quartz movements.  All the "warm fuzzies" of a mechanical movement with the accuracy and low-fuss of quartz. What has taken the watch world so long to embrace this is beyond me.

At any rate, at $499 this is a super watch at a fantastic price. And I'll save "value proposition" for the douchier outlets out there, regardless of price, this watch is dope!

Here are the pertinents, should you be so inclined -

• Case Material - 316L (Surgical Grade) Stainless Steel, Polished and brushed steel - Version E black is DLC coated (Diamond like Carbon) 
• Case Size - 44mm or 40mm 
• Lug To Lug - 44mm case: 49.9mm 
• Lug To Lug - 40mm case: 46.0mm 
• Case Thickness - 14.9mm with domed sapphire 
• Date window
• Movement - Seiko VK64 meca-quartz hybrid 
• Sub-dial description - VK64 left (60 minute Chrono timer) right (24 hour time)
• Crystal - Domed Sapphire Crystal -9Hands - Luminescent Hour Hands, C3 Superluminova 
• Crown - Screw down 
• Unidirectional rotating domed sapphire crystal bezel 
• Strap - 44mm case 22mm width, 40mm case 20mm width 
• Water Resistance - 20ATM/200m 
• Warranty - 24 Months

The Tourer GMT/Triple Calendar/Three Hand

From Straton -

Courtesy of Straton

These are the latest releases and as always, Straton has strived to offer variety and options to its dedicated customers.

Owing to that, the Tourer is available in three different versions:
GMT
Triple Calendar
Three Hand

And is also available in different sizes and colors.  But they go a bit further.  They are offering different movement types as well.

The current pricing is pre-order, and is currently at its lowest level.  The price will adjust upwards as the number of available watches decreases.  As Straton puts it:

Proud to launch the Straton Tourer GMT, Triple Calendar and three hand watches. By pre-ordering early you are saving up to 30% on retail prices. The prices will increase by $50 every month until it’s retail price is reached so ordering as soon as possible guarantees not only the lowest price but also delivery, price includes delivery. Each version of the Tourer is limited to a first production of 300 pieces per variation (example GMT Automatic limited to total of 300, GMT Quartz limited to 300, etc.

Courtesy of Straton

The Tourer GMT is available in a 43 mm version (Strap only) for $499.  $519 will get you the bracelet, and $539 will get you both the strap and the bracelet.  

It is also available in a quartz version either in a slightly smaller 40 mm version, or in a 43 mm version.  This one is $299 on a strap, $319 on a bracelet, and $339 with both strap and bracelet.

Courtesy of Straton

The Triple C Automatic is 43 mm and is priced at $499 on a strap, $469 on bracelet and $489 with both.

The Three Hand Automatic is available in 2 sizes - 40 and 43 mm. It is currently $399 on the strap, $419 on the bracelet, and $439 with both strap and bracelet.

As is often the case with Straton, you also have some choice in terms of color ways -

five to be precise!  Black, Blue, Gold, Green and Rust/Brown.

We will update with news and developments as Straton gets closer to delivery date.

Stay Tuned!

Why I Bought It - The Straton Curve Chrono

Okay, point of full disclosure?  I have a few watches.  And having said that, it takes something special for me to dip into my piggy-bank and part with "coin of the realm".  It is not about exclusivity, mechanical vs quartz, or snotty provenance.  I buy what I like.  

Smudges and all, because yes, I've been wearing it!

Well, suffice it to say, this I like.  Straton has done something that a lot of brands, both micro and macro have promised, but have yet to deliver.  Designed, produce and offer for sale a watch with a shit-ton of personality and appeal at a realistic price.  And Straton have done it without insane investments in marketing, "chums" of the brand, or any other silly attempt to pump themselves up. 

The Straton Curve Chrono comes equipped with a  Seiko VK64 meca-quartz hybrid movement. And for those unacquainted about just what a meca-quartz hybrid movement is?  Well, per Straton:

What exactly is 'Meca-Quartz'? - A movement developed by Seiko is a hybrid movement which combines the accuracy of a quartz watch (+/- 20 seconds average per month) with a Mechanical Chronograph (5 beat per second sweep chronograph hand and fly-back chronograph reset).

And as someone who is now not exactly enjoying the headache (to say nothing of the expense) of servicing several mechanical watches per year?  Let's just say that this little wrist-rocket came into my life at just the right time.

For those of you interested in the pertinents, here they are -

Specifications:

Case Material - 316L (Surgical Grade) Stainless Steel, Polished and brushed steel
Case Size - 42mm and 39.5mm
Lug To Lug - 42mm case: 47.4mm
Lug To Lug - 39.5mm case: 46.5mm
Case Thickness - 13.9mm without domed sapphire, 14.5mm with
Movement - Seiko VK64 meca-quartz hybrid
Crystal - Domed Sapphire Crystal
Hands - Luminescent Hour Hands, C3 Superluminova
Crown - Screw down
Inner rotating bezel, tracking a second time zone
Stamped case back design
Strap - 42mm case 22mm width, 39.5mm case 20mm width
Water Resistance - 10ATM/100m
Warranty - 24 Months 

 

The HYPE

So in the interest of full disclosure, I am one of the people behind the event you will read about below.

BaselWorld is nearly upon us once again.  And as I am sure you know, watch brands will not be restricted to Hall 1. 

This year, something rather unusual happened.  10 independent brands all agreed to work together and support each other in an open format that will be more accessible to journalists, potential retail partners and collectors.  To make this possible, these brands wanted a location that would invite curiosity and discovery, and they felt that there was no better place to do that than the lobby of the Hyperion.  What they wanted was a way to show their watches and connect with people without all of the noise, signage and HYPE found in a typical trade show environment.  What they wanted was something different - an opportunity to simply show their watches, to speak with journalists, collectors and retail partners honestly and openly without all of the noise.  A simple meeting where you can simply come and see the watches, and talk about them.

They didn't want a show, they wanted a collaborative space to share their creations, to meet with people one at a time, and to do it in a more stripped down environment.

It started out with the two brands that I represent - Minase and Sartory-Billard.  And then a few other brands heard about our idea, and they wanted a similar opportunity.  And The HYPE now involves 10 brands who will be working together during five days of BaselWeek - Thursday - Monday.

More details below -                                                                                                                                                                    

February 5, 2019

I wanted to take a moment to let you know about a special collaboration of small, independent and micro brands who will be hiding in plain sight at the Hyperion hotel during BaselWeek this year.

10 brands have come together to support each other and share their products with journalists, retailers, distributors and collectors in a less formal, more inviting atmosphere.  Come by the Hyperion (Formerly the Ramada) Hotel’s ground floor (in a secret location to be revealed in March) and experience the HYPE of BaselWeek 2019!

The following brands will be participating –

Minase                                              

Sartory-Billard                                  

Holthinrichs Watches                      

Lundis Bleus                                      

Straton                                               

Muse Swiss Art Watches                 

ISOfrane / Tropic                              

Vortic                                                 

GoS                                                     

Ophion                                              

The format is open and brands, their owners and representatives will be on hand to show their watches and share their opinions and insights. 

                               

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