With a similar philosophy used with their 4-wheel creations (pictured above is a typical Singer car), Singer Reimagined SA has recently explored the world of high watchmaking, re-imagining traditional functions while showing deep love for the sport classic watches of the 1960s and 1970s as well as for engineering challenges.
The new brand was born from the encounter between Rob Dickinson, the founder of Singer Vehicle Design, and Marco Borraccino, a renowned Italian watch designer now based in Geneva. Once the main concept was developed, the two found an ideal partner in master watchmaker Jean-Marc Wiederrech which had the perfect “engine”: a truly innovative chronograph movement, called AgenGraphe, that he had been working on for ten years. The name of the movement comes from AgenHor, the name of his company which stands for Atelier Genevois d’Horlogerie.
The result of this mix of pure creativity is the Singer Reimagined Track 1, a watch where the chronograph function takes centre-stage.
In fact, the chronograph hours, minutes and seconds are coaxially mounted in the centre of the dial, allowing the elapsed time to be read easily and clearly with just a glance.
The legibility of the dial, reminiscent of dashboard instruments, is further enhanced by instantaneous jumping hours and minutes. The tachymeter scale along the flange is perfectly in line with the motoring inspiration of the Singer Reimagined Track 1.
The time of day is displayed around the periphery of the dial. The hours and minutes are indicated at 6 o’clock by the small indicator set just above 2 rotating discs. These are crafted from high-tech PVD coated, hardened aluminium.
The recessed, engraved numerals are filled with luminescent material to ensure excellent legibility even in low light conditions.
The automatic column-wheel chronograph movement developed with Agenhor is equipped with a series of snail cams, which enable the centralized chronograph indications.
A radically new movement architecture was required in order to create a central space for the chronograph mechanism. As a result, the timekeeping functions are built into the periphery.
The functionality of the AgenGraphe movement is further enhanced by a novel clutch system, allowing for a smoother operation of the chronograph. Its unique 3×60 display (60 seconds, 60 minutes, 60 hours) is exclusive to Singer Reimagined.
Beating at 3 Hz (21,600 vph), the movement features a twin-barrel delivering more than 60 hours of power reserve.
The positioning of the rotor on the dial side, leaves an unobstructed view of the architecture of the movement and its 477 meticulously hand-finished parts.
Crafted from titanium with alternate polished and sunray brushed finishes and offering water resistance to 100 metres / 330 feet, the barrel-shaped case of the Singer Reimagined Track 1 features a thin, round bezel and it is softly curved for enhanced ergonomics. Diameter is 43 mm, height 15 mm.
Although with different functions, the raised hour and minute discs re-interpret the bezels of 1960s racing chronographs.
The chronograph pushers are located on opposite sides of the case to optimize operations: start / stop on the right and reset on the left. The crown is ergonomically integrated into the case band at 4 o’clock leaving more importance to the chronograph pushers.
The outer part of the dial is sunray brushed with applied markers, while the central part is snailed with Arabic numerals in a bespoke font. The different finishes help creating depth and contrast so enhancing legibility.
The contrasting baton-style hands are shaped to perfectly overlap once the chronograph is reset. In the centre, the brushed aluminium central cabochon is reminiscent of Porsche speedometers and it is one of the few elements directly inspired by the ‘911’.
The watch is completed by a soft black calf leather strap perforated with brushed titanium screw down rivets – a Singer Vehicle Design signature echoing the early Porsche 911’s. The pin buckle is in brushed titanium with polished edges. The price of the Singer Reimagined Track1 is Swiss Francs 39,800 or USD40,000 before taxes.
