Retro Chrono On A 'Budget'? ROUE CHR1 - $255

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After review of a Reverie, a Nezumi and a pair of Stratons, all north of $400, today we bring down the cost of a retro/racing chrono somewhat. Shocking lume, but very pretty. Cheers, JOMW!

[lisaisanut]

You have very quickly become my favourite watch channel on Youtube, upload frequently but never compromise on quality and always delivering great content that shows off lesser known affordable brands. Keep at it, mate!

[glitchedoom]

I have zero interest in cars or racing, but damn if this channel hasn't made me realize I love retro chronos.

[MrBashpop]

“Time some nocturnal activities”. Awesome!

[TheBadGuy]

I can't believe a cheese ball like you missed out on this one. This is not a review its a Roue view.

[khronokraze]

I used to own two CHR's, a CHR One and CHR Three. It's a great watch for the price.. and, I believe you can buy them for even less than $255.. been known to be on sale closer to $200, even better.

It's a charming design, very clean, definitely retro, it looks familiar, yet, it's actually very original in execution. The size is pretty good. Wish it would have been smaller than 42mm, but I like the thinness of the watch. I like how the crystal gasket is colored yellow, so you can see some of that highlight around the rim of the crystal/dial at certain angles. This particular design is unusually asymmetrical, yet it still looks balanced. I think for the most part it's a rather unique panda chronograph look and dial configuration.

The lume IS VERY disappointing. It wasn't even an advertised feature for the watch, and I can understand why. Not exactly a prideful application of it. I just happen to put a light to it to test and see if it had any out of curiosity and that's how I discovered it had lume.. with about less than a minute of any remotely usable visibility. There is such a poor application of it and the locations are very thin areas, also. It's basically near useless.

It makes me wonder what was the point of even having lume? That is one of my major watch peeves, poor lume. I would much rather not even have any lume at all than to have some that is so weak that leaves me sorely unimpressed and very disappointed... I would then not be expecting lume and be less dissatisfied with it, do you know what I mean? No Lume = minus 2 points vs Poor Lume = minus 10 points. Poor lume serves to further negate appeal points rather than not have any lume.

I kind of like the clean and mild design aesthetics. I like Stratton, but sometimes I feel they are a little too bright and contrasty.. They are extremely appealing, and I am looking forward to the new bullhead chrono that should be debuting later this year. however, I'm still on the fence whether they are a look I feel I can wear more often than not?

Going back to the Roue, it's great they offer at least 3 strap changing options now and all with easy quick release system. I think coupled with a solid quartz Miyota movement, relatively decent build and original styling and the included strap options, it is definitely a cool vintage motorsports-inspired design** for the price, especially if you can get one on sale or with discounts to be closer to $200.

** vintage motorsports-inspired design - The strange thing about this is I've mentioned this to Alex, the owner of Roue, and he has told me himself that his watches are not necessarily vintage motorsports-inspired designs. IDK, I guess so.. To me they look like the part not only in the CHR, but the other models he has.

as with affordable quartz (or solar quartz) based movements, as someone has mentioned here in comments, Seiko makes some decent recraft series watches, and I think you may find even citizen has something very similar for this vintage motorsports chronograph style of watches for roughly $200-300, I think.

[True-ostg]

I was looking at comments at start of review so when I looked up I was so shocked I let loose an expletive .Its freakin gorgeous and first chrono I can easily read with my not so great eyesight .It may not have been to the moon but stacks up pretty well against the competition and out on its own for me when it comes to looks .
Ive been very good and havent bought or seriously considered buying a watch for nearly 3 weeks now and you go and do this to me lol

[brianlynch]

Love the channel. Good watch reviews and some interesting perspectives.

[trevorpeachey]

Hi Jody, I must say I really like this watch, as you said it's a pitty about the hour and minute hands not been lumed but I think I can forgive that for a everyday wear to work watch, another great review Jody cheers ...

[charliedoyle]

Clean dial. Love a cushion case. Good morning from Huntsville, Alabama.

[BarneyRolls]

Very smart (of Miyota) to let the 1/5 sec hand run for the first 30 secs after start (and restart ?) only 👍🏻
Bummer you can't find one anywhere to buy anymore — would have loved to add this to my collection 🥰

[jerryhague]

Pretty neat looking little watch. Thanks for the find.

[Norman-yqhl]

I actually picked up the Roue Cal a while back (ver. 2 black dial with hands that suggest a collar and tie). Not my fav, but a nice watch. Regarding the patina on my Zelos Mako 500, a dull greenish gray is creeping up from the base, likely sucking the salts off my hairy, sweaty wrist. Have just ordered a new band for it. Perhaps I can send you a pic when I get it on the watch. I'll hold the details until that time. If I've not mentioned it before, thanks for not doing the opening wrist check that seems like some virus spreading through the watch vids. Love how you do it. Need a tee?

[Senna-xigr]

Had mine now 2 yrs & yes the Japanese movement is bullit proof.👍🏼🇬🇧

[drwindsurf]

Fantastic review Jory. I agree an automatic would be more interesting...nothing special in this watch for me but the price point may make an interesting chronograph for some. Thank you for another excellent video :)

[iandocena]

In terms of other affordable retro chrono’s you can look at the Seiko Recraft SSC667 or Orient Neo70’s all for around 200. Solar quartz and has sweeping second hand.

[WatchAddictionReviews]

cool watch it wears well on the wrist, nice review 👍🏻

[captainbungee]

I have this one and I love it. It's a really distinctive and individual design. I think the movement is a modified miyota 6s10 with the running seconds hand removed from the 6 o'clock position.

[JohnnyParanoid]

To me, the point of a quartz movement is accuracy. But this watch doesn't even have a running seconds sub-dial and the lume you've already bashed. Very pretty watch but at that price point I would want better lume, running seconds and something more than a Miyota quartz movement (which I think is likely the 2035). Thanks for the look and cheers!

[swabby]

I would sacrifice the date window for a running seconds dial. It also needs hour markings

[mrbacchus]

I prefer the Dan Henry chrono at this price point. I dont like the logo and I would miss running seconds.