A café racer refers to a specific style of pared down motorcycle popularized in late 1950s and early 1960s Britain. The bikes, frequently cast offs from more family-oriented machines with sidecars, were an inexpensive means of transportation in post-war England. They allowed their owners, young men of little means, the ability to zip between popular cafés. Stripped of their non-essentials–side panels, fenders, and chain protectors—these modified cycles were outfitted with low-mounted handlebars, forcing the rider to lean over the tank in an aerodynamic run.
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The motorcycles became an integral part of the rocker culture, shucking off the stultifying conventions of British society in style. It’s this mid-century urbanity that Titoni hopes to capture with the Heritage Bicompax Chronograph.
Ironically, the timepiece is a stripped-down version of a handwound watch the brand produced in that same era under the Felca flag—and then reissued as the Titoni 94019 S-ST-682 in the same Heritage line. Gone are the tachymeter scale, the telemeter, and the vintage-styled fonts. The cream-coloured dial has been replaced by sunray-brushed silver (featured here) or black. The handset has become a much sleeker syringe-style, as well. With its polished baton markers and starkly contrasting sub-dials, you might think you were looking at the dash components of a Triumph Thruxton. And that’s not a bad thing.
This modern re-imagining has also been treated with a generous dose of C3 Super-LumiNova. While the surface area devoted to lume is relatively small—limited to the hands and pips at the cardinal points—it burns bright and lasts through the night. Not too shabby for a chrono.
The case, too, is an interesting mix of old and new. The brushed bezel, measuring 41mm in diameter, slopes away steeply from the box sapphire crystal, and the faceted lugs shoot out from the mid-case at aggressive angles. A profile view reveals how quickly they tame the 15.2mm height. A blend of brushed and polished surfaces aids in dividing the up the real estate—the finishing of which is surprisingly high.
On the right side, we find classic pump pushers and an oversized push/pull crown. Flip the watch over, and you get a bird’s eye view of the Sellita SW510 BHa, with its lovely 18K gold-plated rotor, courtesy of the sapphire display glass. The movement is a 4Hz calibre with a 58-hour power reserve. It has also been regulated in five positions for an accuracy of +/-5 seconds.
The reference featured here comes with a modified jubilee-style bracelet, which—like the case—is a mix of brush and polish. It tapers slightly from 20mm at the lugs to 18mm at the milled clasp. Tolerances are high and, here again, the finishing impresses—particularly at the clasp, where we find an engraving of the brand logo on a brushed field, which in turn is bordered by a steeply, chamfered polished edge. Also available are a leather strap and a two-piece nylon band.
SPECS
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 41mm Diameter 49mm Lug to Lug 15.2mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Display Caseback Push/Pull Crown 50m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Box Sapphire Crystal /w AR Sunray Burst Dial Applied Markers Bicompax Date Window @ 6 C3 Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | Sellita SW510 BH A (Central Chrono, Small Sec, 30-Min) 27 Jewels 28 800bph 58-Hour Power Reserve 18K Plated Rotor |
| Strap | Jubilee-style Bracelet /w Milled Push-Button Clasp Optional: Two Piece Nylon or Leather |
Titoni Heritage Chronograph
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Of Interest
Despite its tall case and box crystal, which sit high on the wrist, the Titoni Heritage Chrono wears unexpectedly well. If you have the wrist to accommodate its 49mm lug to lug dimensions, the profile is extremely well-balanced. It feels substantial, but not bulky. It is not likely going to be your choice for the office, but it will certainly rock a white tee and jeans.
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Quibbles
While the bracelet is top notch, I wish that it had screw links. In addition, having handled the brand’s micro-adjust clasp (available on the Seascoper), I miss it here on the Heritage Chrono. Nevertheless, I am tempted to outfit this with a leather rally strap and really own its café racer intentions.
Final Thoughts
At this price point, there are a lot of automatic chronograph makers with skin in the game: Hamilton, Tissot, Certina, and a wealth of upstart micros. What the Titoni Heritage Chronograph has in its favour is impeccable finishing and a streamlined aesthetic. From the crisp azurage in the sub-dials and fine sunray brushing of the dial, to the concave dip in the chapter ring and gold-plated rotor underneath, there are a lot of appreciable details here. Even the subtle use of red in the chronograph hand and thirty-minute register is en pointe. And then, of course, there is the movement. Adjusted to five positions, the SW510 delivers maximum accuracy–and it’s not too hard to look, either. While Titoni has garnered a reputation for quality in the Asian markets for decades, western enthusiasts are only now turning their heads. Will offerings like the Heritage Chrono keep their attention? Only time will tell.
The Titoni Heritage Bicompax Chronograph retails for $2400USD on nylon or leather. On the bracelet, expect to pay $2500USD. For more information, please visit the brand website.
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About the author
Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.
Off The Cuff articles are full-length, hands-on reviews of the watch in question and represent the opinion of the author only. All photos are original, unless specified otherwise. If you would like to have your watch reviewed on this site, contact us here.
Can’t get enough of that orange seconds hand!!
Possibly my favourite part of the dial.
It’s always interesting to see how brands put their own spin on the Panda design format. Here, the syringe hands and orange seconds hand look gorgeous.
Agreed!
Looks like a fun chrono, the price point allows for a lot of competition in that range but it seems to offer a lot to compete with
Can’t beat a classic Panda dial