There I was, trapped on the mountain pass! On one side, beset by a ferocious catamount; on the other, by an angry teenage daughter.

I did what any sensible adventurer would do; I checked the time on my wrist chronoscope.

You may call it magic: I call it the Szanto Automatic Officer Coin Cushion 6201 wrist watch.

The Szanto (shh, the z is silent) is an automatic watch, with a rotor counterweight that winds a mainspring.

luxurious guilloche, visible as light reflects off of it

It earns the Officer name for its guilloche wave dial, housed in a cushion-shaped square case with a coin-edge bezel.

With the Szanto Officer strapped securely to my wrist with black leather, I’m ready to sojourn to any corner of the unexplored world… or stay ensconced in my private library, studying charts, cartographic.

The Szanto Officer is a 42.5mm wide stainless steel case. Under normal circumstances, 42mm might seem large. Because it’s a cushion case, and square in shape, the numbers belie its true comfort. Watches in cushion cases regularly are found in 47mm examples. 42.5 is positively good.

The coin edge bezel rides above the cushion case. The profile of the case is a vintage look that tapers at the corners. The lugs aren’t actual wire lugs, but are shaped like thick ones, giving the impression of it. The crown isn’t an onion crown, but it’s a nice large knurled diamond.

The movement is a Japanese Miyota, that provides it with two subdials, one for 24 hour and the other displays small seconds. It’s a champ of a movement: not the most accurate, in terms of loss or gain of seconds per day, but a reliable workhorse.

The lume glows brightly in SuperLuminova on the cathedral hands and numerals, completing the honorary vintage appearance.

If you’re an extraordinary adventurer, or person of exceptional taste, the Szanto Automatic Officer Coin Cushion 6201 is sure to complete your dapper wardrobe. For $395, you can equip yourself for a life of adventure at santzotime.com.

Watch Overview

  • Brand & Model: Szanto Automatic Officer Coin Cushion 6201
  • Price: $395
  • Who we think it might be for: You like want an Italian-esque watch, with an ornate dial, and 1930s theme.
  • Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?: The dial is fantastic, and the case is spot-on.
  • If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: perhaps a more soft leather strap. The current strap could use some breaking in.
  • What spoke to me the most about this watch: This is a vintage 1930s watch, made with today’s quality. It’s aces!

Tech Specs from Szanto:

  • 42.5mm 316L Stainless Steel Case, Polished Finish with exhibition caseback
  • Japan Automatic 21 Jewel Movement w/ 2 Hands, Small Seconds and 24 Hr Subdials, Date
  • Push Crown
  • Super Luminova Fill on Hands and Indices
  • Hardened K1 Mineral crystal
  • Guilloche finish dial with Arabic numerals
  • Genuine calf leather strap with Signature Szanto SS Buckle
  • 100 Meters Water Resistant

ByVictor Marks

sometimes described as "The best bang since the Big One."

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