The Independent Brand Who Reinvented the Chronograph, Enters the Sports Watch Foray Remaining True to Form
The 1969 collection marks Singer Reimagined’s venture into the realm of the 40mm stainless steel sports watches on bracelet, while maintaining their signature flair for unique design, exceptional watchmaking, and flat out creativity.
Launched in 2017, Singer Reimagined is a branch of the Singer Group, which also includes the renowned Los Angeles-based Singer Vehicle Design, famous for their bespoke restorations of Porsche 911s. The inception of Singer Reimagined came from the meeting of minds between Marco Borraccino – the brand’s designer, creative director, and managing director – and Rob Dickinson, the founder of Singer Vehicle Design. Their mutual passion for cars and watches, especially sports chronographs from the 1960s and ’70s, laid the foundation for their independent watch brand. In fact, they aspired to not just replicate but reimagine the chronograph, pushing the boundaries of traditional design.
Redefining Chronograph Design
Singer Reimagined stands out for their avant-garde chronographs, which invert conventional design priorities. Typically, chronographs prioritize time-telling, with the chronograph functions as secondary. Singer’s approach flips this on its head. Their chronographs prioritize measuring elapsed time (hours, minutes, and seconds), which is prominently displayed at the center of the dial, while the time-telling function is relegated to the periphery.
This distinctive approach has positioned Singer Reimagined similarly to how URWERK is identified with wandering hours complications and space-age designs. For their part, Singer’s identity is firmly rooted in chronograph innovation and automotive inspiration.
The 1969 Collection: An Homage to a Pivotal Year
The 1969 collection includes two standout models: the 1969 Chronograph and the 1969 Timer. Both watches honor the cultural and design milestones of 1969, which is also the year the first automatic chronographs were introduced.
Both models feature tonneau-style cases made from 316L stainless steel, measuring 40mm in diameter and 14.5mm in height. The lug-to-lug distance is a comfortable 46.5mm.
- Diameter: 40mm
- Height: 14.5mm
- Lug-to-lug: 46.5mm
They come with a stainless steel H-link bracelet equipped with a micro-adjustment system, allowing for up to 2cm (approximately two bracelet links) of adjustability.
Of course, both watches share a color palette inspired by the 1960s aesthetic, reflecting the era's mood and design language.
The 1969 Chronograph
The 1969 Chronograph continues Singer’s tradition of innovative chronograph design. The chronograph functions – displaying elapsed time in 60-second, 60-minute, and 60-hour increments – are central to the dial. The regular time (hours and minutes) is subtly positioned at the bottom.
Powering this model is the renowned Agenhor Agengraphe movement, an automatic winding, column-wheel chronograph comprised of 491 meticulously finished components. Uniquely, the rotor is positioned between the movement and the dial, rendering it invisible through the case back. This custom-made movement is tailored to Singer’s unconventional dial layout – geared to display chronograph functions centrally and hours and minutes at the bottom of the dial. And this is the debut for the renowned calibre in a 40mm case.
The 1969 Timer
The Timer, on the other hand, presents a more conventional time-only appearance but with a twist. It features a central seconds hand that functions as a 60-second flyback timer, operated by a pusher at two o’clock. This feature allows for precise 60-second timing intervals or setting the time to the second, thanks to a proprietary clutch that ensures the central seconds do not interfere with time-telling.
This model is powered by the Agenhor Calibre 6363, a manual winding, time-only movement with a flyback seconds function, comprising 237 components and finished to the same exacting standards as the Agengraphe movement.
A Coherent, Compelling and Wearable Collection
The 1969 collection epitomizes Singer Reimagined’s trifecta of unique design, serious horological expertise, and sheer creativity. With a 40mm sports watch configuration, this collection offers a versatile and wearable option without compromising on the brand’s distinctiveness.
The Singer Reimagined 1969 collection is available at collectivehorology.com. As always, feel free to get in touch with your thoughts and questions. And thank you for supporting watchmaking.