There are a few unique features in the presentation of the Venus (1901) on this watch, those who know it will know that its a bi-compax dial (running seconds on the 9 O'Clock and Chrono minute accumulation on the 3).
Dimensions
- weight = 66.9g
- bezel diameter is 39.5mm
- case diameter 39mm
- lug to Lug is 47.5mm
- thickness - 13.5mm (very slight dome to the crystal)
So probably the most wearable chrono I have.
Myself I find the ST1901 almost functionally useless (meanwhile, all the "watch tools" squeal "tool watch" while excitedly tingling their bell) because it only times 30min, I often want to time more, however here its saved by the inclusion of a divers bezel.
Saved you say? Yes, saved I say, because you can turn that red triangle to align with hour hand and know with ease how many hours have elapsed and if its between hours how many minutes have elapsed as well as seconds.
This simple case addition turns the 1901 into a tool that can record 12 hours (and if you can remember when in the day did you start it, perhaps even 24 hours).
Fantastic improvement. My only lament is that the bezel is only rotatable anti-clockwise; which is irritating but not a show stopper. Dive Watch Wankers can check their ego at the entrance because its not a dive watch (you slavish unthinking watch tool).
The watch comes from AliExpress and while I wanted the Black Dial it was all gone...
but as it happens I've had a fondness for green dials.
Noteworthy on the face is the additional clarity markers around the 5 min (at 3 and 7min) making it really easy to clearly distinguish the smaller amounts of time (where the signficance of a minute makes a bigger difference.
and of course (if you know the ST901) its a quick change of the minute at the minute; not a simple gear system like say a VK63. This style of graduation marking was once common when actual legibility was paramount (not watch wanking); as seen on these (one vintage) aviators ...
While some people will perhaps prefer the Speedmaster style bezel (with a tachymeter {and frankly I find almost nobody knows how to use that}), I'm quite happy to trade that for the very functional divers bezel as an adjunct to timing. I mean as tools go, a Chronometer is actually intended as a timing device (AKA a tool).
The watch comes in a nice (and uncharacteristically useful) "watch storeage" more suited for putting into your draw (if you aren't using it every day as I seem to be).
which nicely pops off the sides with press studs just like opening it has.
The back is (as is common) the display back, which is good because the watch movement is beautiful on the ST1901 series
The watch comes with a nice (very nicely made) suede leather strap (which I think will look scruffy quckly, so I took it off immedately and will reserve it for nice occasions)
However in fitting my usual strap style I find that the holes in the lugs for spring bars are a bit close in and makes fitting anything of any thickness difficult.
Happily thin leather straps and NATOs (that have been surgically normalised are fine). Worth noting here is the (yet again) different case back opening suited to a large jawed shifting spanner.
This angle also shows off the work on both case finishing and on the bezel knurling.
Nowhere was sharp (except the edges of the bezel) and the combination of finish and polish was of a much higher standard than anything from China (not branded as say, Seiko) I've yet handled.
Lastly the tuning of the movement in the watch for accuracy has been exemplary
and my daily useage has suggested that over the last few days its been about that 12seconds per day. FWIW my TimeGrapher tives a much better beat error figure of 0.2ms
Lume (always a weak point here) is "basic" but on the poor side of "sufficient" for going inside from being out in the light ...
So there you have it ... a round up of the F.O.D.
The watch is easy to wear and I like that its easy to read (although perhaps I'd prefer the bezel was etched and filled, not "rear printed glass") ... which is cheaper. The crystal has no AR coatings but is crystal, so should resist scratching ...
Lets hope it lasts.
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