Introducing: The Minimalist Peren One Chronograph

March 08, 2013

If you are a fan of interesting microbrands, you have heard of Peren. We have covered several of the brand s watches. The minimalist style of the Regia and Nero divers is recognizable and serves as an adaptable canvas to experiment with different looks. However, for his next release, founder Andy Bica decided to leave the variations behind and introduce a completely new model. With the introduction of the Peren One, the company presents its first chronograph. It s another take on a classic watch style that immediately feels like a Peren creation. Let s find out more.When we first saw images of the new One chronograph, we immediately recognized Peren s signature style. However, this new mecha-quartz chronograph also brings an 80s retro vibe. It makes for a stylistically interesting release that is a nice addition to the brand s collection. It looks minimalist and stylish yet familiar, which is a nice balance. As Bica puts it himself, the One is a watch made to vibe, not to flex.The details of the Peren OneLet s look at some specs first. The new Peren One features a 40.6mm by 46mm marine-grade stainless steel case with a 12mm thickness and a 200m water resistance rating. The three-part construction bears a resemblance to the Regia and Nera models. In particular, the wide signature bezel directly connects the watch to the other models in the collection. The case flows nicely into the stainless steel bracelet, creating a thoughtful and elegant silhouette.In terms of finishing, the majority of the case and bracelet surfaces feature a brushed and bead-blasted finish. However, some hand-polished parts ensure that there are visual sparkles to admire when you wear the watch. On the right side of the case, you will find the screw-down crown and the chronograph pushers. They match the style of the case and bracelet quite nicely, especially the pushers brushed surfaces and polished facets.The minimalist yet detailed dial of the Peren OneInside the case lies a black dual-register dial. Topping this are applied Globolight hour markers made from a mix of ceramic and Super-LumiNova. As you can see, each of these markers features a polished steel frame for extra brilliance and detail.Encircling the indexes is a white minute/seconds track with longer orange markers at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o clock. The two sub-dials are slightly recessed and also feature a mix of colors and finishes. The first is the 60-minute counter at 9 o clock, and the second is a 24-hour indicator at 3 o clock. As you can see, the scales differ slightly in design, but both include a mix of orange and white hash marks.Finally, Peren kept the text on the dial to a minimum. The upper half contains the brand s logo, while the lower half only displays the depth rating. Making the rounds above the dial are the diamond-cut stainless steel hour and minute hands, filled with white BGW9 Super-LumiNova that lights up blue in the dark. The stainless steel central chronograph hand features an orange tip to match the orange details on the dial. As you can see, the dial design is minimalist in style, but the execution is really detailed. It is what we have come to know from Peren and what makes the watches really interesting to wear.The Seiko VK64 insideThe Seiko VK64 caliber powers the Peren One. As most of you know, this hybrid mechanism combines a quartz movement for accurate timekeeping with a mechanical module for the chronograph functions. As a result, you get mechanical features, like a sweeping central chronograph seconds hand and an instant reset of the chronograph. This caliber also operates at a 32,768Hz frequency and offers hacking seconds. The VK64 is a popular choice for smaller brands seeking to create an affordable chronograph with a reliable movement. Additionally, watch enthusiasts appreciate it because it still showcases the visual cues of a mechanical chronograph caliber.Final thoughts on the new Peren OneThe Peren One comes on a stainless steel bracelet with a push-button butterfly clasp. As a result, the bracelet flows really nicely around the wrist, with only the engraved Peren name and the buttons indicating the clasp s presence. It s another deliberate choice that fits the minimalist overall style of the brand, particularly the Peren One. As I mentioned, this new model is interesting because it combines the brand s signature minimalist style with design cues from the past.The result is a watch that feels familiar because we recognize the style. However, Peren founder Andy Bica ensured that the watch retains modern-day relevance, making it more than just another retro chronograph and keeping it interesting. Additionally, he ensured that the style of this new chronograph matched the Regia and Nera divers, despite them being completely different watches. This shows that Peren has a signature style that works well for a variety of watch styles. It makes me curious to learn more about the new Peren One through a hands-on review.A limited edition of 1,111 piecesThe new Peren One chronograph will be a limited edition of 1,111 pieces, and each watch will have its individual number on the case back. It is available for pre-order now for CHF 569 (ex. taxes and import duties) on the brand s website. After the pre-order, the regular price will be CHF 693. Shipping of the watches will start in January 2026.What do you think of the new Peren One? As always, we encourage you to share your thoughts in the comments below.Watch specifications Brand Peren Model One Dial Black with applied Globolight indexes, two framed sub-dials with azurage centers, and white and orange markingsCase Material Stainless steelCase Dimensions 40.6mm (diameter) 46mm (lug-to-lug) 12mm (thickness)Crystal Flat sapphire with three-layer antireflective coatingCase Back Stainless steel with individual LE number engraved, affixed with four screws Movement Seiko VK64: mecha-quartz, approx. three-year battery life, accurate to 20 seconds per monthWater Resistance 200 metersStrap Stainless steel bracelet with single-piece links and butterfly clasp with push-button releaseFunctions Time (central hours and minutes and 24-hour register), chronograph (60-minute register, central seconds)Price CHF 569 (pre-order) / CHF 693 (retail) - Prices exclude taxes and import duties Special Note(s) Limited edition of 1,111 pieces