Historically, the heritage of car racing and wristwatches are intertwined. From Steve McQueen's grueling fictional race in the 1971 film “Le Mans” to the real-life feats of legendary race car driver Mario Andretti - chronographs and motorsport go hand in hand like vibrant dials and piston pushers. Recently, newcomer to the watch market, Soldat, announced the release of its first model, clearly echoing the timeless design of the late 1960s and the entire 1970s. The model, named “Promessa,” promises to deliver retro style with the quality and components of modern watchmaking.
Few watches merge the adrenaline enthusiasm of motorsport and pure, understated style as effortlessly as the Heuer Carrera 1153. Not only is it the de facto racing chronograph of the 1970s, but it also boasts a range of unique design features that make it instantly recognizable and appealing to vintage watch enthusiasts. Unfortunately, collectible watches that are half a century old come with limitations that simply aren't suitable for everyday wear. This is where watches like the Promessa shine, combining modernity with heritage aesthetics inspired by the Heuer 1153. The name Promessa itself comes from the Italian word for “promise,” further underscoring Soldat’s commitment to producing the very best.
The large case of the Promessa model is styled reminiscent of many chronographs of past years. The case diameter is 42 mm, and the lug-to-lug length is 50 mm, making it a bold model that maintains a size comfortable for most wearers. The case thickness of 14 mm meets common expectations for any automatic chronograph (past or present) and gives the watch a pleasant heft without being bulky. The dial features three sub-dials at the traditional positions of 3, 6, and 9. However, only the 30-minute and 60-second counters are rendered in white, making them stand out against the dial. The 12-hour counter is subtly applied at the “6 o’clock” position and includes a date function cutout.
The Seiko NE-88 movement powers the pushers of the Promessa model. This well-tested automatic movement has been produced since 2014 and is one of the few options from Seiko. Nonetheless, many quality advocates will be pleased to know that this particular movement features a vertical clutch and column wheel, highly respected among watch enthusiasts. The use of this movement aligns with the commitment to exclusively using Japanese components, and the massive stainless steel case back proudly displays the “Made in Japan” inscription, leaving no doubt about the watch's origin.
The Promessa model is available in three color options, each attractive in its own way. The “Red Comet” color, which actually resembles more of a burgundy, is the most refined of the trio. The gleam of raspberry color is balanced by white accents along the bezel ring and hands. The matching NATO-style strap features a similar color central stripe, aligning with the theme and simultaneously nodding to racing. “True Blue” uses the same sunburst effect, but this time the hands and tachymeter ring are painted orange. The 20-millimeter “rally” strap continues the trend with bright stitching on blue leather.
As green has become the unofficial dial color of 2021, “Green Forty Nine” is a brilliant emerald option, consisting of the same contrasting accents as the blue model, but with yellow details. The choice of shades used in the Promessa models also reflects racing heritage, as each is deliberately modeled in honor of a classic car - Ferrari 250 GTO, Lancia Stratos, and Lotus 49. All three chronographs are equipped with scratch-resistant sapphire glass and are water-resistant to 50 meters.
Perhaps you're looking for a modern watch to pair with your classic car, or maybe you just want to recapture the style of the 70s without navigating the minefield of vintage watch collecting. In any case, the Promessa model offers a clear entry into this realm.
The red “Comet” is available exclusively on the Soldat website for $1,150 USD, while the “True Blue” and “Green Forty Nine” are $1,250 USD. Alongside the watches themselves, the package includes a wooden storage box, user manual, and a one-year warranty. Since the number of pieces is limited to just 100 units, now is the perfect time to make a pit stop and grab your own Promessa.