Singer Reimagined Brings The Legendary Valjoux 72 Back To Life With The Heritage V72

Singer Reimagined has built its identity around a simple yet compelling philosophy: take iconic mechanical creations from the past and reinterpret them for today's discerning enthusiast without losing the character that made them legendary. Best known for applying this "restomod" approach to classic Porsche 911s, the brand has now turned its attention to one of watchmaking's most celebrated chronograph movements- the legendary Valjoux 72.

The story begins with Rob Dickinson, founder of Singer Vehicle Design. After studying automotive design at Coventry University and working briefly at Lotus, Dickinson pursued an entirely different career as the lead singer and guitarist of the British rock band Catherine Wheel. Years after the band disbanded, his passion for classic automobiles led him to restore a Bahama Yellow 1969 Porsche 911E in Los Angeles. That project evolved into Singer Vehicle Design, a company renowned for restoring and reimagining air-cooled Porsche 911s using modern engineering while preserving the timeless aesthetics and driving experience that made the originals so iconic.

That same philosophy made its way into watchmaking when Dickinson partnered with Italian watch designer Marco Borraccino in 2015. Two years later, Singer Reimagined debuted with the groundbreaking Track 1 chronograph. Powered by the revolutionary AgenGraphe calibre developed by Jean-Marc Wiederrecht and Agenhor, the Track 1 relocated the chronograph seconds, minutes and hours to the centre of the dial. It was a thoroughly modern movement inspired by vintage racing chronographs of the 1960s and 1970s, perfectly embodying Singer's "Reimagined" philosophy.

In 2025, the brand introduced a new chapter with the Heritage Collection, representing the "Restored" pillar of its philosophy. Instead of creating entirely new calibres, Singer began breathing new life into historic movements. The collection debuted with the Heritage V23, powered by meticulously restored Valjoux 236 chronograph movements. The latest Heritage V72 continues this journey by reviving another icon the Valjoux 72, one of the most revered manual-winding chronograph movements ever produced.

Reviving A Chronograph Legend

While the Valjoux 236 represented a more technically evolved calibre with its higher 21,600vph frequency, the Valjoux 72 occupies a special place in horological history. Beating at a leisurely 18,000 vibrations per hour, the movement introduced the classic three-register chronograph layout by incorporating a 12-hour recorder alongside the 30-minute counter. More importantly, it powered many of the twentieth century's most celebrated racing chronographs, becoming synonymous with endurance racing, pit lanes and an era when mechanical precision defined motorsport timing.

For the Heritage V72, Singer Reimagined has sourced genuine new-old-stock (NOS) Valjoux 72 movements that have remained untouched for nearly five decades. Every calibre undergoes a painstaking restoration process at the brand's atelier, where each movement is carefully assessed, refinished and upgraded. Frosted bridges, hand-polished bevels and rhodium-plated components elevate the movement's visual appeal, while blue ALD-treated chronograph switching components provide a subtle contemporary signature. The chronograph bridge is engraved with the words "Restored by Singer," reinforcing the brand's commitment to preserving mechanical heritage rather than replacing it. The restored movement is showcased through a newly designed glass-box sapphire caseback, offering a panoramic view of the beautifully finished calibre from multiple angles and highlighting the intricate architecture of the historic column-wheel chronograph.

Vintage Soul, Contemporary Execution

The Heritage V72 retains the elegant proportions established by the Heritage Collection, measuring 38.8mm in diameter with a case thickness of 13.25mm. Its dial balances vintage inspiration with modern refinement through three finely executed azurage sub-dials, a toothed golden flange, faceted applied hour markers, orange Super-LumiNova and a vivid orange central chronograph seconds hand finished with Singer's signature golden cabochon at its centre.

Singer offers the Heritage V72 in multiple configurations to suit different tastes. Reference SR621 is crafted in stainless steel, while reference SR620-1 is housed in 18-carat yellow gold. Both models can be specified with either a velvety matte stone-grey dial paired with oyster-coloured counters or a black dial contrasted by champagne registers. Completing the watch is a choice of black-grained leather or grey textile straps, each secured with a pin buckle matching the case material.

With the Heritage V72, Singer Reimagined once again demonstrates that restoration is not about recreating the past it is about celebrating it. By preserving one of watchmaking's most iconic chronograph movements while enhancing it with contemporary craftsmanship and finishing, the brand delivers a timepiece that bridges generations, honouring mechanical history without compromising on modern execution.

Check out Singer Reimagined's previous restorations here.