With watches, we tend to get drawn in by the flashy. Whether that means super high-end stuff, crazy complications, or literally bright and crazy designs, we seek those headline-shouting sorts of watches. But once that’s all said and done, you probably end up actually buying something that’s efficiently competent – something like the Szanto Heritage Aviator Small Seconds.
When you have a look at the details, it’s obvious that the Szanto Heritage Aviator Small Seconds is a pilot watch, with the dotted triangle up at 12 o’clock, and the cleanly labelled hour and minute tracks. This is a simple pleasure I like seeing in a watch like this, and in some ways would make it great for someone who’s learning to read time (well, aside from the fact a 41mm case would overwhelm my kids’ wrists).
Zoom out a bit, though, and you see a bi-color dial set into a brushed case (solid caseback) which then starts giving off more of a field watch vibe (in a loose sense). Realistically, the needs of those two styles are pretty similar, and done as it is here with a quartz movement (a Miyota) and a mineral crystal, you could realistically see it as a watch ready for heavy duty. Well, the heavy duty that we could get up to (which isn’t military precision, but say, more like getting into the dirt on some trails and the like).
A decision decision that really helps the overall visuals of the Szanto Heritage Aviator Small Seconds is the choice to go with the 22mm lug width. Set into a 41mm case, it makes the watch look a touch smaller than you’d expect (whereas 20mm lugs would make it look a good deal larger). Sure, it’s not as standard a width for finding aftermarket straps, that’s no longer the challenge it once was. And the strap here is like the watch – competent and capable.
While the loaner of the Szanto Heritage Aviator Small Seconds we had come in had the black dial (and a black leather strap), there are two other variants – a cream dial on a brown strap, and then a bronze-toned case with a black dial and antiqued printing. Regardless of the color choice, all they’re asking for is $225, which is a pretty solid pricepoint for an everyday, no fuss sort of a watch. You can check out the full collection at szantotime.com and order from there, or also over at timeconcepts.net.
Review Summary
- Brand & Model: Szanto Heritage Aviator Small Seconds
- Price: $225
- Who we think it might be for: You’re looking for a pilot watch with a bit more of a field watch feel
- Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?: In the grand scheme of things, no – I don’t have a use case that would see this watch supplanting one I already have
- If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: Maybe play around with multiple lume colors on the dial to differentiate things a bit more. And/or lume more than the indices.
- What spoke to me the most about this watch: It’s clean simplicity
Tech Specs from Szanto
- 41mm 316L Brushed Stainless Steel Case
- Push-In Half Onion Shaped Crown
- Screw Case Back
- Thick Swiss SuperLuminova Lume on Hands and Indices ensures bright and long lasting visibility
- Japan Quartz (Miyota 1L45) Small Seconds Movement
- Hardened Mineral Crystal
- 22mm Black Genuine Leather Strap with Signature Buckle
- 100 Meters Water Resistant
