The watchmaking arm of vintage Porsche rebuilder Singer, Singer Reimagined has just taken the covers off the 1969 collection, a pair of watches that reimagine (no pun intended) the brand’s trademark central chronograph, the 1969 Chronograph and the simpler 1969 Timer. Like the brand’s prior models, the 1969 duo are vintage inspired and share the familiar cushion-shaped case and inventive Agenhor movement. But they are now smaller and more wearable, and in a first for the brand, are fitted to a matching bracelet.

Initial thoughts

In choosing 1969 as the inspiration for the brand’s latest series of watches, founder Marco Borraccino has selected a platform that allowed him both a historical connection to the past and an aesthetic palette from which to draw. The idea is particularly clever for a young brand with no heritage of its own. Choosing instead to focus on the industry-wide heritage for the brand’s most central complication is something of a sideways masterstroke. Pleasingly, the brand communication has refrained from laying it on too thick in this regard, so we can enjoy the pieces for what they are without the story getting in the way of the facts.

To me, these two pieces are a welcome addition to the catalogue. I’m never one to ignore an uptick in wearability and this certainly offers it. Achieving this without sacrificing any of the brand’s aesthetic cues is a job well done.

While there is a massive drop-off in functionality from the Chronograph to the Timer, it is the latter that I prefer. The cleaner dial makes for a calmer wearing experience than the positively zesty designs we’ve seen from the brand thus far have been unable to match.

Another incredible addition to this line is the bracelet, which Borraccino intentionally designed to be a compliment to the design rather than a constraint. I find the new design surprising. It is, in contrast to the case, quite aggressive, with ubiquitous edges and angles providing a stark counterpoint to the flowing lines of the brand’s traditional tonneau silhouette. Interestingly, though, it works. While there is a definite change of pace from case to bracelet, the transition is smoothed by deft use of consistent surface finishing to tie the two together.

Although many fans of this watch (limited to 50 pieces of each in 2023) may choose to pair the retro case with a leather strap, it should be noted that the weight of the bracelet actually counterbalances an otherwise top-heavy design.

Some may therefore miss the sprawling diameters of the previous iterations for which Singer became best known, but I am sure this new execution will delight fans of design from this period. While still bigger in diameter than most watches of the late ‘60s, its stout overall proportions certainly echo some of the earliest chronographs. Consequently, I believe the new 1969 collection from Singer Reimagined is chromatically and spiritually in-tune with the era that inspired its design and a very welcome addition to the Singer Reimagined lineup indeed.

With pricing starting at US$34,000 for the Timer and US$58,000 for the chronograph, these pieces will not be accessible for the majority of watch lovers worldwide, however, given the brand’s exclusivity and memorable take on the task of watch design, I am sure existing and wait-listed collectors will snaffle 2023’s complement before long.

A chronograph two ways

The key difference between the two 1969 watches from Singer Reimagined and previous models from the brand is the size. In the past, Singer has produced watches with hulking diameters of 43 mm. Here, the brand has turned out two 40 mm chronographs: the Singer Reimagined 1969 Chronograph able to show elapsed (jumping) hours, (jumping) minutes, and seconds on demand, while the simpler Singer Reimagined 1969 Timer able to track up to sixty elapsed seconds.

The AGH 6365 inside the 1969 Chronograph

Both of these watches are run off Agenhor developed calibres, with the 1969 Chronograph proving impressive in its clarity and functionality utilising the AGH 6365. Placing the hours and minutes in two wandering discs at the bottom of the dial, the chronograph functions are read from the hands on the central arbor, with the ability to time up to 60 hours. Both the minute and hour hands jump, which goes some way to explaining the high number of components used, at 491. This makes for an impressive view through the sapphire caseback.

The 1969 Timer, being the simpler of the two, only has a three hand set up with the sweeping seconds hand also acting as the chronograph hand through the use of a flyback system.

The Singer Reimagined 1969 Chronograph and Timer both stand 15.6mm tall on the wrist when the sapphire crystal is included in the measurement. This makes for a boxy and thoroughly retro wearing experience.

In the designer’s mind, integrated bracelets are too restrictive. Instead, he opted for a bracelet design that could be said to be “integral” to the watch’s overall character rather than “integrated” and thus irreplaceable. The bracelets go from 22mm at the lugs to 18mm at the buckle in an angled H-link style.

Key facts and price

Singer Reimagined 1969 Chronograph

Diameter: 40 mm
Height: 15.6 mm
Material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100m

Movement: AGH 6365
Functions: Hours, minutes, chronograph, jumping hours, jumping minutes, and sweeping seconds
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 21,600 beats per hour (3 Hz)
Power reserve: 72 hours

Strap: Matching bracelet

Limited edition: 50 pieces in 2023
Availability: Directly through Singer Reimagined and its retailers
Price: US$58,000

Singer Reimagined 1969 Timer

Diameter: 40 mm
Height: 15.6 mm
Material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100m

Movement: AGH 6363
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and chronograph seconds
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 21,600 beats per hour (3 Hz)
Power reserve: 72 hours

Strap: Matching bracelet

Limited edition: 50 pieces in 2023
Availability: Directly through Singer Reimagined and its retailers
Price: US$34,000

For more information, visit singerreimagined.com.