Singer Track 1 Hong Kong Edition in Black Ceramic-Aluminum

Following the introduction of the Launch Edition in June 2017, a technical titanium version, and the Geneva Edition in January 2018, a vintage-oriented version with a stunning pale yellow gold case, Singer Reimagined now unveils the third version of its impressive chronograph. Named the Track 1 Hong Kong Edition, this third iteration is a sportier take on the concept, with its black Ceramic-Aluminum case and bold orange accents.

Singer Reimagined was born from the encounter between Rob Dickinson, Founder and Creative Director of Singer Vehicle Design, and Italian watch designer Marco Borraccino. The company was created to reimagine high-watchmaking, and especially the chronograph, a watch that felt entirely in line with the cars Rob has been created already. Both share a true love for 1960s and 1970s racing chronographs, an inspiration that can easily be felt when looking at their “baby”, the Singer Track 1. Yet, modernity and performance were at centre stage when thinking about mechanics. Just like the Singer 911 cars, the Track 1 is retro outside and ultra-technical inside – a surprising combination that we fully explained in our in-depth review of the Geneva Edition here.

The Launch edition of the Singer Reimagined Track 1

The Geneva edition of the Singer Reimagined Track 1

As Rob and Marco explained to us in this video interview, the concept is to introduce several limited editions of the Track 1, all based on a city and its atmosphere. The first model, the launch edition, was meant to create the first shock. It was technical, cold-looking but relatively understated. Following this inaugural watch, Singer introduced its first city-based model, the Geneva Edition, a watch that showed a much more vintage-oriented design, thanks to its unique pale yellow gold case and contrasting black dial with gilt design. For the third watch, the Singer Track 1 Hong Kong Edition, the brand gets sportier, bolder and much more modern.

While the material used on the Geneva edition was already far from common (a specific 18k pale gold alloy), the new Hong Kong edition again innovates with its case. It evokes racing and performance with a lightweight, full-black version. The case is here made of Ceramic-Aluminum. Together with its technical partner DelWest, Singer Reimagined refined a process to produce technical components: aluminum-ceramization.

Ceramic-aluminum is crafted by electro-plasma oxidation. The surface layer of a special, aerospace-specification aluminium alloy is transformed into ceramic. The result of this high-tech process is a super-black case combining exceptional scratch, wear and corrosion-resistance with the lightness of its aluminium core.

The shape of the case of this new Singer Track 1 Hong Kong Edition is exactly the same as the other versions, meaning a pilot-style case with integrated lugs (very early 1970s-inspired) measuring 43mm in diameter x 15mm in height – large on paper but very comfortable on the wrist, even more with this new, lightweight edition. The crown and pushers are fashioned out of grade 5 titanium with black DLC-coating. Complementing this racing look is a no-less sporty strap in technical fabric, with orange stitchings.

The dial of this Singer Track 1 Hong Kong Edition also evolves. It uses the same layout and design as the Geneva edition (meaning cleaner and more legible than the Launch Edition) yet with new colours. The tachymeter track, as well as the central hands and logo, are now in bright orange. All the markers and inscriptions are left white, to offer better contrast. As with other editions, we find the same unique and chronograph-focused display. The chronograph is at centre stage, with its 3 indications displayed by central hands – the minute and hour hands being jumping ones – while time is relegated as a secondary function. Timing indications are displayed by two peripheral discs and the current time is shown at 6 o’clock.

Under the bonnet is the same, highly impressive movement found on other editions of the Singer Track 1: the Calibre Singer 6361 or AgenGraphe. Developed by Jean-Marc Wiederrecht (master watchmaker and founder of Agenhor), this movement is a true mechanical feast. It features a unique architecture, with a column-wheel and an innovative friction clutch – more details about the movement, the clutch and the jumping indications in this article. This movement is automatic (the rotor is placed dial-side) and its specifications are a 3Hz frequency and a 60-hour power reserve. Viewed through the sapphire back, the AgenGraphe movement is complex, deep, richly decorated and impressively technical.

This new Singer Track 1 Hong Kong Edition might just involve a change of colours and materials, but it results in a completely different watch with different inspirations. It feels much more modern and technical and is definitely the sportiest of the three editions. It will be a 50-piece limited edition, available from Singer Reimagined or from Hong Kong retailer The Lavish Attic – the watch and the Singer team will be there from June 20th to June 22nd. Price: CHF 44,500 (before taxes).