In the current era of vintage reissues, many watch industry brands strive to convey the legacy of past eras in modern design. For many brands, this may take the form of reimagining classic models from the past, but the lack of longevity hasn't prevented younger brands from participating in this trend. However, for a brand without its own vintage models, this can take one of two forms. A young brand may mimic the style of another brand's vintage design, attempting to interpret recognizable watches in its own way, or it may seek to create something that mimics the feel of a certain period without referencing any specific watch. Relative newcomer Szanto has made a feature of this second approach, taking loose, retro-modernist interpretations of stylistic periods for its vintage sports watch collection. The latest in this line is the Desert Sands series, a line of chronographs combining new and old trends, aimed at conveying both the feel of 1940s military chronographs and the spirit of the British Army's 'Desert Rats' in their battles in North Africa during World War II. The new Szanto Desert Sands line is a free-spirited and playful approach to mid-century military themes, offering reliability and quality finishing at an affordable price.
The stainless steel case of the Szanto Desert Sands series, measuring 41mm, is a simple classic modern military-style chronograph. A narrow tilted bezel, inverted pushers, and a large crown are all familiar elements for enthusiasts, but Szanto gives this form a unique personality with ion plating. The black ion-plated variant adds toughness and stealth to the design, but the more interesting look of the Desert Sands is likely the Aged Gold ion-plated model. With a deep, subtle hue and flecks of darker material interspersed with a matte gold surface, this finish pleasantly replicates the appearance of antique brass cases after the original chrome plating has worn away. This distinctive finish is more complex than one might expect in this price range, and it helps to ground this more modern case form in the 1940s fantasies that Szanto creates with this series. The water resistance for the desert sands is a modern 100 meters.
Like the cases, the dials of the Szanto Desert Sands series combine retro and modern elements to convey an overall sense of age rather than a direct imitation of any specific vintage design. A pair of small Roman sword hands, a distinctive set of serifed Arabic numerals, and a pair of clean and elementary chronograph counters all give the basic design an original and unique character. As the name implies, all dial variants of the Desert Sands line use a sandy-khaki tone with a vintage tint, both for the main dial surface and the lume fill in the case of models with matte black dials. One of the most interesting character features of this vintage style is the integration of a date window, fully enclosed within the loop of the '6 o'clock' numeral. This smooth touch prevents the date display from disrupting the overall flow of the dial, allowing it to recede into the background, especially for models with black dials.
Inside the Szanto Desert Sands line is the Miyota 6S21 quartz chronograph movement. Robust and affordable, the 6S21 may not be a full-fledged mecha-quartz movement like some of its industry competitors, but it still offers owners a mechanical chronograph experience. The central chronograph seconds hand beats four times per second, rather than once per second as in traditional quartz watches, and the heart cam reset system allows the 6S21 to reset instantly like a mechanical movement, providing pushers with a tactile click feel akin to a mechanical mechanism. Accuracy is rated at +20/-20 seconds per month. Szanto completes the Desert Sands series with saddle brown calf leather straps for the black case models and a deeper tobacco brown color for the 'Aged Gold' variant.
Affordable, playful, and charismatic, the new Szanto Desert Sands series offers a fun take on classic military chronographs with several unique touches. The Szanto Desert Sands series is now available from authorized dealers at a suggested retail price of: $295 USD