Last month Yonger & Bresson launched the Le Singulier tonneau skeleton wristwatch and on paper it looked like an interesting watch. It was consulted on by the Franck Muller design team, giving it the aesthetic of a top haute horological piece without the insane price tag. So, we were excited to see it in the metal and see just how things stack up.
When putting it on for the first time, the thing that immediately stands out is the case. It’s a tonneau shape that has 36mm x 49mm dimensions, so it’s fairly slim but the length gives it some substance. Plus, the high curved sides, with brushed finishing, mean it’s pretty noticeable on the wrist. That curve also means it’s a satisfying piece to hold, giving it a tactile element even though there’s no particular texture that stands out.
As for the dial, it’s certainly interesting. To all intents and purposes it’s a skeleton dial, however there’s a layer over the movement depicting some of the main elements in an quasi-Art Deco style. I like that it highlights elements of the movement that are important but it simultaneously hides those parts and you have look through the gaps to get a glimpse. So, it gets good points for a creative design but I wonder if there might be a less obstructive way to implement it in future, maybe even just by making the line work thinner.
Of the three colour variants, silver, gold and black, the silvery one is the best. It’s the most cohesive because the design of the dial matches the case, although I can respect the black’s overall stealthier appearance. To me, both the silver and black versions are better than the gold coloured one, which is a little too flashy for my tastes considering the design is already flash enough.
The specs of the movement are solid. It’s the Japanese Miyota 8N24, an automatic calibre with a 42-hour power reserve. But what’s great about a movement like this is that it keeps the price down, meaning that the Le Singulier has a retail price of €499. That’s incredible value for a watch that has the styling and design of a timepiece with far greater haute horological prestige.
Price & Specs:
Model: Yonger & Bresson Le Singulier
Case/Dial: 36mm x 49mm diameter x 12mm to 15mm height, stainless steel case in silver, gold or black, skeleton dial
Water resistance: 50m (5 bar)
Movement: MIYOTA 8N24 calibre, automatic, 21 jewels
Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
Power reserve: 42h
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Strap: Black silicon rubber or black/brown leather
Price/availability: €499 (approx. £427)
More details at Yonger & Bresson.
