Straton Sportiva, back to the future!
Since Stranger Things was released on Netflix, those of us that grew up in the 80s are all of a sudden thrown in to a world of nostalgia, and our kids start asking questions about Dungeons & Dragons, not to mention how nice it seemed to not constantly be drenched in technology.
e’ve gone through some waves already or both 70s and 80s nostalgia and I don’t think that will ever stop since it did had such a distinct colour schemes, fashion, music and of course gadgets that were often made out of solid steel (hello first VCRs). |
The Sportiva I have here today is a real throwback for me with this particular bright and cheerful colour scheme and solid build. Whilst we were in the midst of Casios and Swatches in the 80s, and very few mechanical watches, you could easily have rocked this whilst “Escaping from New York” or going back in time to date your Mum. Is it for everyone? Probably not, but is it a truly unique and fun watch that we should all know and maybe even buy for occasional wear? Absolutely yes in my opinion. As we all know, when it comes to watches “There can be only one” does not apply.
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My impressions after some time with the watch
The case is clearly the biggest feature of this watch and you have to be drawn this to kind of thing if you’re considering a purchase. We have a brushed angular 316L stainless steel case with no sharp edges anywhere and it wouldn’t look out of place positioned on top of a large old tv set with antennas placed next to it. That’s the aim of this model and perhaps you’re now thinking to yourself; "could I pull this off within my wardrobe?".
Let’s cover the sizes here, you can actually get this watch in both 41.5mm like this one, and also 38mm. Since the watch does wear pretty big, I’d probably say even on a large wrist like mine of 19cm, you’d have no trouble pulling off the smaller one. Thickness is 11.2mm including the crystal and lug width on this one is 22mm. Lug to lug is 47.5mm |
The screw down, unguarded crown has these angular lines that obviously makes it easy to grip but it’s also helps convey this feeling of raw speed, you know that sense of doing something dangerous like driving an old car at speeds that in the early 80s would mean certain death if you made a mistake?
Perhaps I’m reading too much into a crown design but either way, it looks great and is signed with the Straton S. Let’s get stuck in to the dial now, hard to imagine a more colourful dial right? Maybe that’s not for everyone and you can get it in far more muted colours, but personally I do rather unexpectedly appreciate the splashes of colour. The dial is the classic meca-quartz of minutes on the left and a 24 hour indication on the right. Will you use this watch to tell you if it’s night or day? No. Will you play with the chronograph every now and then and maybe time some eggs? Yeah probably and that’s ok. Chronos look great on the wrist which is the main selling point in my book.
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The applied indices seem to float above the distressed steelplate that forms the centre of the watch and we have a thin strip of lume on each one and even a small pip on the longer ones. The seconds hand with its triangle marker in combination with the straight up sword hands are easy to see and this is often an issue on chronographs..they look great but what is the freakin time?! You’ll never struggle to see the time. Perhaps that’s partially down to the exemplary restrained approach to text on the dial, where all we find is the applied S straton logo and the applied Volante model number.
I’ve mentioned this before, it takes courage to not shout about the fact that the watch has 100m water resistance, sapphire crystal and is in this case an automatic. I love this approach since if you’re a fan, you know these things already and you don’t need to read it on the dial every day. These types of specs also means that you don’t have to worry about anything in your normal life, the sapphire crystal will hold up to light abuse as will the watch should you happen to find yourself in a hot tub time machine. |
Flipping the watch over and we’re met with an attractive motif of a steering wheel, hands that appear to be wearing the Straton official gloves and generally a feel of Kyle’s own Alfa Romeo, but perhaps that’s just me. Either way, I love seeing this without any real print pointing out the specs of the watch, just straight up a cool back for the sake of it.
Behind the back we have the commonly used meca-quartz movement that combines the best of both worlds with its combination of battery driven time and mechanical chronograph function. This movement has the option of a ticking seconds hand but that’s been omitted here for the date function at 6 so there are no reminders anywhere about the quartz function other than your watch still showing the correct time regardless of how many days it’s spent in a drawer. |
This steel rally strap like bracelet is no less eye catching than the watch itself. The individual links are soft to touch both inside and out would be a great wear in summer. Three links on each side can be removed to further ensure you get a perfect fit. This is an early prototype and the lug holes will be moved slightly to avoid scuffmarks between lug and case, and a slightly overly enthusiastic application of Loctite will be reduced in future, ensuring that the screws will actually come out. The buckle and clasp arrangement is the classic, secure, two button release with 5 holes of micro adjust, getting a good fit is no problems here.
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Movement
Seiko VK64 meca-quartz Strap & Bracelet
Custom Solid link stainless steel bracelet, screwed links, with quick release pins for easy change. Please note you can fit any aftermarket straight end link bracelet or leather strap Case
Case Material - 316L Stainless Steel miscellaneous
Case Size - Two sizes! 38mm and 41.5mm Lug To Lug - (38mm case) is 44mm and the (41.5mm case) is 47.5mm Case Thickness - 11.25mm incl. crystal and caseback (case only 9mm) Clasp - Solid Steel milled folder over clasp with 5 holes micro adjust Water Resistance - 10ATM/100m Warranty - 24 Months |
Final Words
The Straton watches aren’t for everyone. You do need to have an appreciation for retro 70s and 80s designs, and since you’re reading this, it’s fair chance that you do have just that. If you do like what you see here, then at least rest assured that these watches are well made, present excellent value for money and unlike a lot of these retro designed items, are made to last with modern up to date movements.
Ironically, a lot of things in the early 80s were not made to last at all, with cheap plastics and let’s not even mention cassette and vhs tapes that literally deteriorated every time you used one, there are definitely some aspects of the 80’s that I never want to see again. Not so here, I think you’ll enjoy your Straton watch for many years beyond its standard 2 year warranty. All this is added to the fact that Kyle behind the brand is a lovely guy that just want to make you happy with his designs and provide for his family. If all these reasons aren’t enough for you to buy your own Volante or Sportiva, I don’t know what is. Cheers, Esbjorn |
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