Szanto 4101

When you think of fashion watches, you think of watches that really do not have quality components, because the watch was designed more for aesthetic. Some people would consider fashion watches “cheap”, or cheaply made. I occasionally agree. When I found out about Szanto Watches and spoke with the company, I was told the bulk of the collection is fashion orientated. So when the watch arrived, I was unsure of what to expect. It boasts a mineral crystal, and when looking at the photos you would assume it is brass/bronze. In reality it is a plating, and the watch is built very solid, and has some nice attributes to it that I was not expecting.

Before I get into my thoughts on this Szanto model, if you are not familiar with this brand, you might be familiar with the other brand that owner Barry Cohen founded and owns: Luminox.

The Szanto line is completely separate, and steps away from the tactical/military inspired watches that Luminox is known for. We know that Luminox builds a great watch, and the Szanto 4101, if representative of their lineup, is a well constructed piece.

Specs:

46mm Brushed Stainless Steel ion plated antique Bronze Case

52mm lug to lug

24mm strap width

Hardened Mineral Crystal

Screw down Crown

Japanese Quartz 2-eye Chronograph Movement

Genuine Leather Strap with Signature Buckle

100 Meters, Water resistant

MSRP $350 USD

One of the first things I noticed about the Szanto 4101 was the sandwich dial, and the use of dual lume paint. That is one of the elements I did not expect to see on a fashion orientated watch. The chronograph sub dials and the longer minute markers (which use vintage lume) are part of the dial underneath, and then you have the second dial, laid on top, that has C3 superluminova dot markers. The dial is very well done, not too busy, over branded, or loaded up with text. While chronographs can typically be cluttered, the use of the two eye chrono subdials eliminates that for the most part.

If I am honest, I am not a big fan of brass/bronze watches, for a few reasons. While these watches are all the rage right now with some of the watch community, they are really not my speed. One of the things about bronze/brass, is that it tarnishes, or develops a “patina” as most like to put it. This can cause your wrist to turn green if you have sensitive skin. That said, why do I like the Szanto 4100? I like it because of the stainless steel with an aged or “patina” brass plating. You achieve the brass/bronze look, without having a watch that is essentially tarnishing. It is a unique look, almost a stonewashed finish to it, and I wouldn’t mind seeing a regular stainless version of this model, with a stonewash finish.

The crown is signed, and to my surprise was a screw down crown. With a watch rated for only 100 meters, and with it obviously not being a dive watch, I did not expect that. This is another added feature that I believe brings the 4101 another step away from that “fashion” designation. The pushers do not screw down, even though they look like they do. The screws are purely decorative. Another decorative feature is the holes in the chrono pushers, which remind me of salt and pepper shakers.