Thanks Jody for the review 🙏 I’ll try and get some more lume into that very thin strip on the hands :)) I make up for it hopefully with Signum 🙈🙈 😂 hope you get better soon with that husky voice 🙏
I could tell by the colorways that these were designed by a car nerd. The Gulf one was obvious, but I also went to JPS when I saw the black and gold. Hertz Mustang also makes sense, though.
I have interacted with Kyle in a couple of FB groups over the years and he is always working on something with his brand! I admire his dedication and work ethic. I have come sooooo close to buying a Straton at least 5 times and every time I get pre-buyer's remorse at spending $500 on a meca-quartz.
Looks cool :) There probably is a bit of extra scrutiny put onto this brand specifically for the fact that their sister brand Signum used to be the world record holder for the brightest lume on any watch period.
I've had the brown / white VJ one for some while and it gets more comments than any other watch I have...Those straps are super comfy and if you want to add the steel rally strap to one it really completes the look imo...
As an owner of 3 Stratons I can say that Kyle is a master of design. (I owned yet another but flipped it) . The lume on the Syncros and Legeras and Local Times are actually quite decent. There are just two reasons I never picked up a Speciale despite it's iconic design. 1, the lume and 2, the dial is probably too small for my aging eyes to appreciate the details but there again I've never seen one in the flesh so I could be wrong. Fabulous design!
I absolutely love the purple version, but I don't want quartz and the $1,200 is tough to stomach. That said, auto chrono is usually pricey unless it's a seagull movement, so.... Yeah
They should pull the automatic works from the 7750 when they do these mechanical chronographs. I'd sacrifice the convenience of an automatic for a bit slimmer case.
I bought the "original" speciale with the valjoux in 2018 for €750.- incl. taxes. Today, it would cost me - with discount - €1300.-. That's rather hefty - I miss the "old days..."😢
Appreciate the review Jody. I'm not at all adverse to square watches, or colorful watches, but TBH I have a hard time warming up to these. I think it's because the overall effect is a little too toy-like. At some point in the near future I'll probably get a Brew Metric Retro instead.
Love the look, and I think that the Valjoux option is good value, but $500 for a mechanical-quartz? That’s at least $200 too much for me, but I have no doubt that they’ll sell.
Thanks for your comment 🙏 $200 less and that prices us out of a retail or distributor model which is needed long term if we want to continue to grow - the quality and service is there and I believe I offer value for money 🙏🙏
The Speciale doesn't feel like a cheap watch, quite the contrary. The finish is quite extraordinary. The VK series movements are pretty much the only possible budget choice for a retro chrono, I wouldn't want to spoil these with a Seagull.
Great watch but the mecaquartz price is daring if not brazen, considering AliExpress mecaquartz options for less than 20% of this price. Straton have great straps. Chronograph hands are too short too read. And yes, crap lume despite the price. Yet still a distinctive product amongst micros. Thanks!
120g for the auto, not bad! I've got a Longines Grande Vitesse with the Valjoux in it, and yeah, it has a bracelet, but I weight it at 189g. That movement makes itself known!
Really cool Jodi! I just saw on WC about the Riley Watch Co similar TV style. Thanks for the inspiration of this TV style watch and now my wallet is about $175 lighter with the incoming Riley.
Hey Jody I saw a JPS F1 racer on display at Manchester Piccadilly entrance hall back in the day - just roped off with a do not touch sign. Imagine what be left of a Ferrari left at Torino station.
I was pondering one of these last week -- but, eventually, I went for the Vesuviate instead. Nice bracelet -- the Straton is nice, but by experience, the super fancy and color coordinated bands never age as good as a bracelet; and fro that sort of price (because hey, it IS more expensive than most microbrands!)
They are lovely looking watches. My favourite is probably the green and gold. I'd love to get one but my better half would kill me if i got another watch
I had a video idea I'd like to see: A top ten VH31 watches! I want a thin three hander with a smooth second hand and preferably good lume. Very hard combo to find! Is there a sub 10mm dive watch? Is there a full lume option? I would watch to find out!
Good effort with a diabolical throat. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. I can see some architects rocking these in the design studio on Monday morning.
Im just not quite old enough to like this design. To me, it looks silly on the wrist. But it’s cool that someone is making them. They’re definitely different. But I’d go for Brew, different I think.
I can't decide which color. But then I got lost in your Pagani Design link and I want one of their chronographs for 1/4 the price. I don't know what to do!
Interesting design. I don't see the value in the mechanical given the meca-quartz at least ticks fast enough to pass as a mechanical watch. Also why cover up the Valjoux movement? That would be why I would pay more for it if it was dressed up a bit and on show.
@JustOneMoreWatch This is number 15! It's a 75... or Milano here in the states. I had two 164's! I love Alfa's and watches! I can't wait for my Erebus Ascent in purple!
I appreciate the charm of these retro chronos, the sky blue color way is quite attractive, but they do not evoke WOW factor like the salmon colored dial Sugess moonphase chrono featured yesterday
A decent sized watch, for a change. As an old fart I very much like that retro design. Don't care about the lume. I don't spend much time sitting in the dark looking at my watches. If I'm going to be about after dark I take the right watch. Not too sure about some of those colours but I'm with you on the black and gold front. But the price. I can't come at the price. It's a Seiko for heaven's sake. Design is great, but design isn't dollars. Thanks for the grins, as usual.
Hellooo! Someone help me decide between the mid-size 5kx, or the Turtle! Do I go for the proper Diver’s specs, or the svelte size of the Seiko 5! I have had the Turtle before, and it is a great watch, but I also like smaller pieces 🫣
I love the dial design and colour options... it's just the case thickness that puts me off. There are watches with the same MechaQ that are only 10mm (e.g. Seiko SSB429P1 for £169).
Man that auto seems high for a watch without a bracelet…even the quartz seems up there. Especially for a watch that’s probably not going to be a daily. Very cool…but pricey for an occasional wear…
Can you please review an Indian watch company called Titan watches coz it would mean a lot for the Indian watch community. Thank you in advance for your time.
@@nemlol I'm not sure anyone's had a reason to try. If that's a requirement, I'd go with mechanical or digital. Solar would be great, of course, but the only solar movement with a 12hr totaliser I can think of is Citizen's E210.
I got the black and gold quartz -- I love it. Also got the black rally bracelet and it's a stellar combo! (Digging the Jody "Barry White" Musgrove vibe here....)
Lume, while fun, is the most overrated feature of any watch. There's a point about having it on a "dive" watch; but even so, nobody is using a "dive" watch for diving.
Think Straton have some of the best colour ways going. Always well matched and vibrant , lovely looking watches.
Thanks Jody for the review 🙏 I’ll try and get some more lume into that very thin strip on the hands :)) I make up for it hopefully with Signum 🙈🙈 😂 hope you get better soon with that husky voice 🙏
It is such a unique design and really stands out amidst an endless sea of divers. But how about some tritium tubes on the next incarnation?
It is a long term dream of mine to get your brown Speciale. Gorgeous watch and functional. I appreciate that you have different movement options
I could tell by the colorways that these were designed by a car nerd. The Gulf one was obvious, but I also went to JPS when I saw the black and gold. Hertz Mustang also makes sense, though.
I have interacted with Kyle in a couple of FB groups over the years and he is always working on something with his brand! I admire his dedication and work ethic. I have come sooooo close to buying a Straton at least 5 times and every time I get pre-buyer's remorse at spending $500 on a meca-quartz.
Some of the coolest designs out there from a Micro Brand! Thanks!
Love all of my Straton watches. The Speciale was an instant classic like so many other models! Great one!!
Fantastic beasts... love the design of a Stratton. And Jody, you sound how I'm going to feel in the morning. Cheers! 🍻
Loved Alfas as a kid, got one as an adult. Going back and forth on which Straton to get.
Oh I could rock that Plum with a blue blazer on a Monday morning 🙂As for the lume they need it all for the Signums.
Why the obsession with lume? It's hardly a consideration for me when choosing a watch. And I don't wear my watch in bed.
A thing that's dramatic to show on YT
My poor guy ppl are active at night 😂...
Looks cool :)
There probably is a bit of extra scrutiny put onto this brand specifically for the fact that their sister brand Signum used to be the world record holder for the brightest lume on any watch period.
I've had the brown / white VJ one for some while and it gets more comments than any other watch I have...Those straps are super comfy and if you want to add the steel rally strap to one it really completes the look imo...
As an owner of 3 Stratons I can say that Kyle is a master of design. (I owned yet another but flipped it) . The lume on the Syncros and Legeras and Local Times are actually quite decent. There are just two reasons I never picked up a Speciale despite it's iconic design. 1, the lume and 2, the dial is probably too small for my aging eyes to appreciate the details but there again I've never seen one in the flesh so I could be wrong. Fabulous design!
I absolutely love the purple version, but I don't want quartz and the $1,200 is tough to stomach. That said, auto chrono is usually pricey unless it's a seagull movement, so.... Yeah
The plum and white looks awesome!
They should pull the automatic works from the 7750 when they do these mechanical chronographs. I'd sacrifice the convenience of an automatic for a bit slimmer case.
I bought the "original" speciale with the valjoux in 2018 for €750.- incl. taxes. Today, it would cost me - with discount - €1300.-. That's rather hefty - I miss the "old days..."😢
Appreciate the review Jody. I'm not at all adverse to square watches, or colorful watches, but TBH I have a hard time warming up to these. I think it's because the overall effect is a little too toy-like. At some point in the near future I'll probably get a Brew Metric Retro instead.
Love the look, and I think that the Valjoux option is good value, but $500 for a mechanical-quartz? That’s at least $200 too much for me, but I have no doubt that they’ll sell.
Thanks for your comment 🙏 $200 less and that prices us out of a retail or distributor model which is needed long term if we want to continue to grow - the quality and service is there and I believe I offer value for money 🙏🙏
@@stratonwatchco I understand, and I think your watches will sell; you can tell by the comments section. I wish you every success.
@@skunclep1938thank you 🙏🙏
The Speciale doesn't feel like a cheap watch, quite the contrary. The finish is quite extraordinary.
The VK series movements are pretty much the only possible budget choice for a retro chrono, I wouldn't want to spoil these with a Seagull.
Great watch but the mecaquartz price is daring if not brazen, considering AliExpress mecaquartz options for less than 20% of this price. Straton have great straps. Chronograph hands are too short too read. And yes, crap lume despite the price. Yet still a distinctive product amongst micros.
Thanks!
A very pretty hockey puck!
That sky blue and brown looks soooo good. I have a mechanical Tourer and couldn't talk myself into this one but now... Cheers!
120g for the auto, not bad! I've got a Longines Grande Vitesse with the Valjoux in it, and yeah, it has a bracelet, but I weight it at 189g. That movement makes itself known!
Really cool Jodi! I just saw on WC about the Riley Watch Co similar TV style. Thanks for the inspiration of this TV style watch and now my wallet is about $175 lighter with the incoming Riley.
Hey Jody I saw a JPS F1 racer on display at Manchester Piccadilly entrance hall back in the day - just roped off with a do not touch sign. Imagine what be left of a Ferrari left at Torino station.
Supposedly beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Someone is still watching my parents 1959 TV.
I was pondering one of these last week -- but, eventually, I went for the Vesuviate instead. Nice bracelet -- the Straton is nice, but by experience, the super fancy and color coordinated bands never age as good as a bracelet; and fro that sort of price (because hey, it IS more expensive than most microbrands!)
If Darth Vader recommends a watch, resistance is futile. No, wait.
Hahaha Hahaha Hahaha!🤣🤣🤣
They are lovely looking watches. My favourite is probably the green and gold. I'd love to get one but my better half would kill me if i got another watch
Nice. I would opt for a subdial-less design and mecaquartz, if it was available. It's a bit too busy for my taste, not the best legibility.
That blue/orange colourway is a bit "Gulf Oil". I like it.
I wish more companies would use this version of the Seiko Mecca quartz, or use the miyota quartz chrono movement. No 24 hour sub-dial!!!
When you’re that raspy it’s either time to break out in Rod Stewart tunes or take this title to heart : I don’t want to talk about it 😂
Can you make a comparison video with the new Citizen AW0130-85A and your Citizen Chronomaster? I think its a great video idea!
Brew over this at any day! Way more classier and versatile.
Dope watches
I am saving for the blue orange one
That blue/brown one is gorgeous 😍
I had a video idea I'd like to see: A top ten VH31 watches! I want a thin three hander with a smooth second hand and preferably good lume. Very hard combo to find! Is there a sub 10mm dive watch? Is there a full lume option? I would watch to find out!
Beautiful watch.
Good effort with a diabolical throat. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. I can see some architects rocking these in the design studio on Monday morning.
My only Stratton is the brown and tan speciale, just love it.
That blue and brown is absolutely gorgeous. Is it a giveaway?🤣
I am partial to Straton's Sportiva and Volante models.
Im just not quite old enough to like this design. To me, it looks silly on the wrist. But it’s cool that someone is making them. They’re definitely different.
But I’d go for Brew, different I think.
I really want the purple one, not the plum the actual purple one. Maybe in January?
I can't decide which color. But then I got lost in your Pagani Design link and I want one of their chronographs for 1/4 the price. I don't know what to do!
Pagani
Interesting design. I don't see the value in the mechanical given the meca-quartz at least ticks fast enough to pass as a mechanical watch. Also why cover up the Valjoux movement? That would be why I would pay more for it if it was dressed up a bit and on show.
I've wanted one of these since your very first video on one but have yet to justify (or even afford) the purchase. One day you'll be mine, Speciale.
I think I just found my new favorite microbrand.
Hi Jody, is there any chance you could review the bulova super Seville reissue?
maybe go for the brew over this
Happy To See
Great job Jody! Greatings from Brazil!
Funny, I drove my 1988 Alfa Romeo today.
My goodness! How far before it broke down?! 🤣 Sorry. I have always wanted one, especially 164/166, but never been brave enough.
So did I :) my 1977 Alfetta GT :)
@JustOneMoreWatch This is number 15! It's a 75... or Milano here in the states. I had two 164's! I love Alfa's and watches! I can't wait for my Erebus Ascent in purple!
@@davidsherrick89875 3.0 America? :)
@stratonwatchco I had two 78's one was a Sprint Veloce, basically the same.
I appreciate the charm of these retro chronos, the sky blue color way is quite attractive, but they do not evoke WOW factor like the salmon colored dial Sugess moonphase chrono featured yesterday
A decent sized watch, for a change. As an old fart I very much like that retro design. Don't care about the lume. I don't spend much time sitting in the dark looking at my watches. If I'm going to be about after dark I take the right watch. Not too sure about some of those colours but I'm with you on the black and gold front. But the price. I can't come at the price. It's a Seiko for heaven's sake. Design is great, but design isn't dollars. Thanks for the grins, as usual.
I love the gold and black.
For me, it would the meca quartz all day long, I would want to avoid the added thickness of the auto.
The time keeping seconds hand shouldn't have the same color as the chronograph hands like on the blue version.
Kyle knocks it out the park again.
Love these watches, if only I could afford them
Hellooo! Someone help me decide between the mid-size 5kx, or the Turtle! Do I go for the proper Diver’s specs, or the svelte size of the Seiko 5! I have had the Turtle before, and it is a great watch, but I also like smaller pieces 🫣
I did not know they come in quartz.
Can't say I love this design, but they don't look like anything else....and that's becoming a rare thing.
I kind of expected the siren @ 0:50 to sound hoarse too. :P
A watch so Nice, he’s reviewed it Thrice!
I love the dial design and colour options... it's just the case thickness that puts me off.
There are watches with the same MechaQ that are only 10mm (e.g. Seiko SSB429P1 for £169).
I think I need one. LOL. Great watches great vid.
Make more yellow!
Lets see whats coming
Man that auto seems high for a watch without a bracelet…even the quartz seems up there. Especially for a watch that’s probably not going to be a daily. Very cool…but pricey for an occasional wear…
Yes
I feel like the oddball that would not be caught dead wearing one of these...
Voice is returning.
Marginally! Still Scottish Barry White....
Can you please review an Indian watch company called Titan watches coz it would mean a lot for the Indian watch community.
Thank you in advance for your time.
Sure lume is important on a diver but not on a chrono. The watches are nice, well executed design but not for me
I concur and couldn't have said it better.
Too thick, too expensive. But thanks for sharing.
How long can you leave the meca q chronograph running before the battery runs out?
The 8T67/VK67 will stop when the 12 hours are up.
@@fillerbunny And if you run it daily for 12 hours?
@@nemlol I'm not sure anyone's had a reason to try. If that's a requirement, I'd go with mechanical or digital. Solar would be great, of course, but the only solar movement with a 12hr totaliser I can think of is Citizen's E210.
cool got me a cuff buster :D
I got the black and gold quartz -- I love it. Also got the black rally bracelet and it's a stellar combo!
(Digging the Jody "Barry White" Musgrove vibe here....)
Hello!
Watched
Looks a lot like the seiko alba range
Really you tell me that difference between a mecaquartz vk64 and a valjoux 7750 is over 700€ . They laugh at us.
Certainly an acquired taste. A premium price for all that retro goodness.
Great review Jody 👍🙂🇬🇧
I tried to like these but that thickness makes them look horrible
They're brilliant, although junky
As for the colors its ok, but the concept is just too much for me and my wrist... 😬
Hang in there, Jody. Kids always will bring infectious diseases into the house, but eventually they grow up and move out. Get well. 😉
Nah. I don't get these.
I might be alone here but I really don’t like the colours of these, not one of them.
I prefer the older versions.
Anybody see a Tag Heuer copy, sorry, Tag inspired homage...?
Heuer inspired surely?
Such a cool channel..im on 200 subs only...😅
Lume, while fun, is the most overrated feature of any watch. There's a point about having it on a "dive" watch; but even so, nobody is using a "dive" watch for diving.
Jodys voice so low even whales at the bottom of the ocean can appreciate his reviews
Scottish Barry White
@@JustOneMoreWatch.Hahaha my first my last my everything
Don't like any of these. For me, the color ways don't work with the TV cases.
Gaudy suck. Wouldn't wear it if was free.
Hello jody!
A lume monster to go against Kyle's watches, when? 👀
Well, he needs to sort out the lume on these first!!!
@@JustOneMoreWatch but to go against the Signum 😛
Jody let your throat rest a bit mate
lol, i'm so sorry, but 500 for a quartz, and 1200 for an auto from a microbrand is insulting.
Not a brand that appeals to me .
Nice
Boom! Ten points for #1!