Singer Reimagined Heritage V72 brings the Valjoux 72 back to life

Singer Reimagined introduces the Heritage V72, featuring restored Valjoux 72 movements in a 38.8 mm case in gold or steel. Prices from CHF 23,000

Singer Reimagined expands its Heritage collection with the new Heritage V72, a pair of limited-edition chronographs built around restored Valjoux 72 movements. 

The collection introduces Singer’s restoration approach to one of the most recognised manual-winding chronograph calibres of the 20th century, combining its original architecture with contemporary case and dial design and movement finishing carried out by Singer.

The Heritage V72 is offered in two versions. 

The Heritage V72 SR620-1 Gold combines an 18-carat yellow-gold 1N case with a velvety deep-black dial, while the stainless-steel Heritage V72 SR621 Stone-Gray uses the same compact case dimensions with a stone-grey dial.

Both cases measure 38.8 mm in diameter and 13.25 mm in height and feature a double sapphire crystal glass-box construction, with anti-reflective coating on the crystals.

Water resistance is rated to 50 metres / 165 feet.

The two dials retain the traditional three-register configuration of the Valjoux 72 while interpreting it through Singer’s design language. 

The gold version combines the matte black surface with champagne azurage counters, golden applied elements and a toothed flange, while the steel model uses a matte stone-grey dial with oyster azurage.

Both feature faceted hour markers, mirror-polished applied elements and rhodium-plated hour and minute hands with orange Super-LumiNova, complemented by an orange central chronograph seconds hand with an integrated gold cabochon.

The crown is positioned at 3 o’clock, with the chronograph pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock. 

The gold SR620-1 is paired with a black grained natural-leather strap with brown stitching and an 18-carat 1N gold pin buckle, while the SR621 comes on a grey textile strap with grey stitching, natural-leather loops and a stainless-steel pin buckle. 

Both straps taper from 20 to 16 mm.

At the centre of the Heritage V72 is the Singer SG7201 calibre, based on an original, unassembled Valjoux 72 movement. 

Rather than simply preserving the historic calibre, Singer subjects each movement to a complete restoration process, beginning with the disassembly and inspection of every component before the parts are refinished and the movement is rebuilt.

The manually wound movement operates at 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz) and measures 29.5 mm in diameter and 6.5 mm in thickness. 

Its 166 components include 17 jewels, while the power reserve is approximately 44 hours with the chronograph disengaged and 24 hours when it is running. 

The movement retains the classic Valjoux 72 configuration, with central chronograph seconds, a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, a 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock and running seconds at 9 o’clock.

Singer’s restoration process goes beyond cleaning and replacing worn components. The bridges receive a frosted finish, their edges are hand-polished, and selected components are rhodium-plated. 

A blue ALD treatment is applied to the switch component as a discreet contemporary detail. The restored calibre is then assembled by Singer’s watchmakers, with each movement carrying a “Restored by Singer” inscription marking its return to service.

Through the sapphire glass-box case back, the resulting movement is fully exposed, revealing the layered construction of the Valjoux 72 and the contrast between its frosted bridges, polished chamfers and rhodium-plated components. 

Restoration thus becomes part of the visual identity of the watch rather than remaining a process hidden from the wearer.

The Singer Reimagined Heritage V72 SR620-1 is limited to 20 pieces and priced at CHF 45,000, while the stainless-steel Heritage V72 SR621 is limited to 50 pieces and priced at CHF 23,000. singerreimagined.com