Hands-On With The New Sternglas Tachymeter 2.0
Sternglas continues to evolve its watch lineup rapidly. Today’s new Tachymeter 2.0 is a great example because it replaces the original model after a short three-year production run. We like it when a company is not content to rest with its existing designs. The question, as always, is whether the newest watch is an improvement. Our off-the-cuff response is a resolute “yes!”
The previous Sternglas Tachymeter combined a brushed stainless steel case with an external metal bezel and a Miyota quartz chronograph movement. The watches, while attractive, looked sober and very instrument-like. The new Tachymeter 2.0 infuses the same functionality from the original in a more upscale package. We had the chance to go hands-on with the watch before today’s official launch, and we’re happy to share our impressions.
The Sternglas Tachymeter 2.0
Sternglas sent us the new Tachymeter 2.0 with a blue dial. A gray-dialed variant with red highlights is also available for those interested in a slightly more toned-down look. The watch updates the former model’s dimensions with a 44mm diameter and 50mm lug-to-lug. It also now has an 11mm thickness, not including the double-domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating. A 20mm lug spacing allows for multiple strap options, and the brand offers a beads-of-rice bracelet as well as rubber Tropic-style and leather straps. The Tachymeter 2.0 includes a sapphire crystal and a solid stainless steel case back affixed with four screws. It also offers a 100m water resistance rating.
Significant differences in the dial
Some brands update a watch with a small change or a new color. Sternglas took a more deliberate approach with the Tachymeter 2.0. The most obvious change is the move away from a brushed stainless steel external bezel to a colored aluminum insert. Highlighting the blue bezel is an engraved tachymeter scale with white-filled markings.
The dial is also different and displays significantly more color. A darker blue outer sector surrounds a royal blue center. The contrast is further heightened with a white hour and minute ring on the dial’s outer edge. A gray lower register displays the running seconds and encapsulates a larger white-on-black date wheel. The black upper-left register is a 60-minute totalizer with alternating black and blue segments every 20 minutes. Finally, the upper-right 24-hour register consists of concentric circles. Joining a mix of white and yellow sub-dial hands are central Super-LumiNova-filled syringe hands and a yellow arrow-shaped central chronograph seconds counter.
A new and improved case design
The Tachymeter 2.0 has a new case design with substantially thicker lugs. A closer look at the lugs reveals new details. Polished and matte surfaces are present as well as chamfers. Pump pushers with colored rings join a signed crown. From the side, the bezel flares outward and blends polished and brushed surfaces.
Switching quartz calibers from Miyota to Seiko
The original 2022 model used the Miyota OS20 quartz caliber. Sternglas has shifted course with the Tachymeter 2.0 and now uses the popular Seiko VK63 meca-quartz movement. In addition to the functionality explained above, the movement is accurate to ±20 seconds per month. It also has a listed battery life of three years. The case back, which is unique to this dial color, depicts a rally car descending through a snow-covered forest road.
The Tachymeter 2.0 on the wrist
The latest Tachymeter 2.0 isn’t a small watch, but it fits well on account of lugs that hug the wrist. It certainly has a presence, though, with its large bezel and brightly colored dial. Then, there’s the signal-yellow fabric strap. It differs from a normal nylon pull-through type due to its ridges and a tight weave similar to a tactical rope. Plus, the material works better on smaller wrists than a leather strap due to its flexibility.
Regarding the overall dial composition, I like it much better than the prior Tachymeter model. The colors are distinctive, and even if yellow, gray, and shades of blue aren’t natural partners, they work well together. Each sub-dial is legible yet looks unique. The case shape is also befitting of a brand that continues to raise its game. There’s simply more to it now in terms of shape and finishing.
Pricing and availability
The Tachymeter 2.0 will soon be available on the Sternglas site and at official retailers. The watches have a retail price of €389 on any of the available straps or €449 with the beads-of-rice bracelet. That’s a competitive price for a meca-quartz chronograph, especially one as nicely crafted as the Sternglas. Furthermore, with this color scheme, the new case, and the finishing, it is positioned well versus other similarly equipped models. Let us know your thoughts on this latest release and if you fancy it compared to the original Tachymeter.
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