It’s no secret that there’s a strong connection between cars and watches. In fact, the majority of people who are enthusiasts of one or the other tend to eventually become enthusiasts of both. Both are mechanical and both have rich history, so both tickle the fancy of gearheads and horologists alike. Sometimes, one can be inspired by the other and that’s when the real magic happens. So many watches are inspired by motorsport and this new Straton Curve-Chrono is no different.
Straton Watch Co. was founded in 2015 by a 30 year old car and watch enthusiast names Kyle. The whole idea behind Stratton Watch Co. is to make products that are inspired by classic cars and motorsport.
The latest product from Straton Watch Co. is the Curve-Chrono watch, inspired by ’70s classic cars and motorsport of a bygone era. Races like the famous Targo Florio, a 148 km road course through the Sicilian mountains, inspired the Curve-Chrono. In fact, Curve actually means “curves” in Italian.
In terms of design, the Curve-Chrono is reminiscent of the Heuer Autavia Calibre 12, a watch that has quite a bit of its own motorsport heritage. The case is made of surgical grade 316L stainless steel and is available in two sizes, 39.5 mm or 42 mm and has a screw-down crown, a personal favorite of mine. The sapphire crystal is available with either a domed style or flat, the former raises the case thickness to 14.5 mm from 13.9.
The coolest parts about the case are the optional case backs, which are available in a couple of different finishes, both made to look like car wheels. Inside the case lies either one of two movements, a Seiko VK64 Meca-Quartz hybrid or a Seiko NE88 Automatic. If you’re apprehensive about a Seiko movements, don’t be, as the Japanese watchmaker makes some of the most reliable and accurate movements in the world and it’s almost impossible to beat a Seiko movement at this price range. Which leads me to the pricing.
Straton has started a Kickstarter for this new Curve-Chrono and there are different packages to buy for the campaign that come with different things. For the watches, prices range from $310, for just one Meca-Quartz watch, to $1,399, for two automatic watches. There are several packages in between that offer a watch and a couple of pairs of Straton’s leather driving gloves or two quartz watches. But there are plenty of options for purchasing.
Each watch comes with two straps, a leather strap is standard with a second NATO strap and an optional steel bracelet. The Straton Curve-Chrono has another cool little trick in that the box it comes in doubles as a carrying case for the two straps that each watch comes with.
Overall, the Straton Curve-Chrono is a very cool looking, motorsport inspired watch that has styling reminiscent of ’70s racing watches. It also comes at a great price point with any package and houses some really great movements. Seiko movements might not come with the flash or premium name of a Swiss brand, but its movements are just as good, if not better, than anything you’d get from Switzerland at this price point. This is a very cool watch at a great price and would make the perfect addition to any car/watch enthusiast’s collection.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Case Material – 316L (Surgical Grade) Stainless Steel, Polished and brushed steel – Version E black is DLC coated (Diamond like Carbon)
- 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 NE88 Automatic
- 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
- 2 stamped case back designs
- Strap – 42mm case 22mm width, 39.5mm case 20mm width, genuine leather or stainless steel mesh, included 2 NATO straps of your choice
- Water Resistance – 10ATM/100m
- Warranty – 24 Months
