Andreas Strehler is expanding his more accessible Strehler brand with the Säntis, a world time wristwatch that’s an evolution of the Sirna time-only from 2023. The Säntis continues with the style established by the Sirna, including the patterned titanium dial and tonneau-esque case.

Powered by the same in-house automatic calibre as the Sirna, the Säntis is a classic Cottier-style world time with a cities disc and 24-hour ring. Unsurprisingly given Andreas Strehler’s well-known technical proficiency, the world time mechanism is integrated well into the calibre and is easily set entirely via the crown.

Initial thoughts

The Säntis is a traditional Cottier-style world time, but one executed well and as practical as a Cottier-style world time can be. While the Säntis is the first Strehler world time, it is not the first travel wristwatch by Andreas Strehler, who has made several in the past, including a bespoke commission.

The watch exemplifies Andreas Strehler’s strength, which is high quality watchmaking and complications, but made more affordable under his Strehler label. Though produced in slightly larger numbers than his high-end watches, Strehler watches are still high-quality industrial haute horlogerie that represent strong value.

The styling is a little generic, especially at a distance, but as with the Sirna, the watch reveals its details up close, giving it more personality. The patterned dial and hands are distinctive, though the dial is almost anonymous: the Strehler logo is cleverly integrated into the cities disc, giving the dial a clean look that emphasises the milled guilloche.

That said, this aesthetic is arguably easier to digest than that of Andreas Strehler’s top of the line complications, which are characterised by an elongated-cushion case that is an acquired taste.

The Säntis costs a little under CHF25,000, which in the world of independent watchmaking is strong value, especially given it’s more than a time-only watch. In fact, it might be one of the most affordable world time watches of this quality. While it is closer to industrial than small-scale artisanal, the Säntis’ quality is clearly excellent and backed up by Andreas Strehler’s reputation.

Fuss-free travel time

Named after a mountain near Strehler’s workshop, the Säntis is a straightforward world time exactly as conceived by Louis Cottier. Time around the world is indicated by a 24-hour ring and cities disc on the dial, with local hand shown on the hour and minute hands. The crown sets the world time rings individually in the first position; then the hour and minute hands in the second position, with the 24-hour ring moving in sync.

The Säntis is fitted with a titanium dial that’s milled, laser engraved, and finally polished by hand, giving it a relief pattern with a contrasting polished and matte surfaces.

The dial colour is achieved via anodisation, allowing for a degree of customisation: Strehler offers a range of 20 colours for the dial, but the city names for the world time display are fixed. Appropriately enough, Switzerland’s time zone is represented by “Strehler” on the cities disc, eliminating the need for additional branding on the dial.

The case is essentially identical to that of the Sirna, retaining the same diameter, but growing a little taller to accommodate the world time mechanism. Still the case measures just 40 mm wide and 9.7 mm high, which is compact and slim.

The crown is topped by an anodised titanium insert matched to the dial

Inside is the SA-30W, Strehler’s in-house automatic movement with an additional world time mechanism. It’s a high quality construction with a 60-hour power reserve and a recognisable aesthetic centred on circular, open worked bridges. Variants of the same movement architecture are employed by Vianney Halter and Gronefeld, underlining Strehler’s position as a supplier to other independent watchmakers.

Key facts and price

Strehler Säntis

Diameter: 40 mm
Height: 9.7 mm
Material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: SA-30W
Functions: Hours, minutes, and world time
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 21,600 beats per hour (3 Hz)
Power reserve: 60 hours

Strap: Calfskin

Limited edition: No, but production is limited to around 30 to 50 watches per year across Sirna and Säntis
Availability: Direct from Strehler
Price: CHF24,750 excluding taxes

For more, visit Strehler.watch.