Farer have already shown that they can do bright and fun watchmaking with chronographs like the Carnegie Sport and now they’ve proven that stripped back watches are also within their wheelhouse with a matte black dial and monopusher design. Although, that being said the Segrave Monopusher still maintains the brand’s penchant for fun with a big eye layout.
Let’s talk monopushers. They’re one of the most unobtrusive chronograph designs around due to the fact it only has a single button adorning the side of the case instead of two. With their military roots, they’re a charming feature that you don’t tend to see so much these days except on vintage or retro designs, mostly because they’re technically outdated. And in this case the inclusion does lend a certain vintage appeal to the design.
The singular pusher on the Segrave (named after Henry Seagrave, the early British pioneer who was the first man to hold the speed record on land and water simultaneously) sits at 2 o’clock on the stainless steel case, which has been machined from a single piece of metal and has a diameter of 40.5mm. Uniquely for this model, the sides have been given a harlequin style hobnail pattern which provides a contrasting texture to the brushed and polished surfaces.
Farer describe the dial as having a mono-compax layout, but I don’t know how they’ve done their maths because there are very clearly two subdials, not one. Apparently because there’s a big eye subdial, one of them doesn’t count, which seems like an odd distinction as the presence of the big eye is one of the most interesting parts of the dial.
A big eye subdial is quite simply one that has larger proportions than its counterparts and is a design most commonly associated with Longines and watches like the Avigation BigEye, although the precise origins of the design are unknown. It gives a fun, off-kilter feel to any watch, which is full of character.
On the Segrave Monopusher the big eye serves at a 30-minute timer with its smaller, opposite number being a small seconds subdial. The small seconds has a red hand, the central chronograph hand is blue and the big eye’s is teal, which all look great against the matte black dial and silver white subdial. It doesn’t compare to the Carnegie but there’s still plenty of colour.
Inside, you’ll find the Sellita SW510 MP Elaboré movement, which is a purpose built monopusher chronograph movement with a 62-hour power reserve. It’s a step above the more popular Sellita SW200, which has a measly (at least by today’s standards) 38-hour reserve. The Segrave Monopusher also has a nice, blue Farer rotor that’s visible through the display caseback.
The watch has a price of £1,750 and is available on a leather strap. It isn’t the most exciting release but it successfully balances having a fairly understated design without compromising on its personality and would suit any situation.
Price & Specs:
Model: Farer Monopusher Chronograph
Case/Dial: 40.5mm diameter x 12.2mm height, stainless steel case, matte black dial
Water resistance: 100m (10 bar)
Movement: Swiss Made Sellita SW510 MP Elaboré grade calibre, automatic, 27 jewels
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 62h
Functions: Hours, minutes, 60 second chronograph, 30 minute counter at 3, small seconds at 9, date, hacking capability
Strap: St Venere leather
Price/availability: £1,750
More details at Farer.
