The last time we were talking to you about Tool Watch Co, it was about their full-lume dial (seen here). What we didn’t mention at that point was that we had one of their chronographs in for review. Well, today, we’re give you our hands-on thoughts on the Tool Watch Co Rally.
Tool Watch Co Rally: what it is
The Tool Watch Co Rally is part of a delightful class of chronographs that give you both quartz accuracy and the tactile feel of a mechanical chronograph. How is that done, you ask? Via the VK64 meca-quartz movement. This is a quartz movement, but you get the mechanical interaction (ie, the solid click) when you are using the chronograph pushers. Aside from all of that, you’re also getting a watch at a lower price point than a fully mechanical chronograph would be.
Fittingly – as chronographs started in the racing world – this one leans into the racing heritage of the style. You’ve got a Rally-style watch strap, a custom racer engraved on the caseback, and of course the tachymeter scale wrapped around a bi-compax layout. When you click the chronograph on, the central seconds hand (yellow on this version) kicks in, and as it rotates around, the chronograph minutes are logged on the register at 9 o’clock.
The second register, which you might think is for chronograph hours, is actually a 24-hour register, tied to the main time. So, if you find yourself resetting the watch, you know where in the 24-hour cycle you are, and whether or not you’ll need to fiddle with the date as you advance the time. All in all, it’s intuitive to use, and gets the job done.
Wearing the watch
One thing I particularly liked about the Tool Watch Co Rally was just how compact and light it is. The 38mm case is quite wearable, and the quartz movement keeps things lighter on the wrist. For me, the sizing was perfect, and the black-white-silver color scheme (with just a pop of yellow) meant it was quite a chameleon. The strap definitely keeps it more casual and sporty, but that doesn’t mean it’s not good for the office. And that rally-style strap can let some additional air to your wrist, good for these warming-up days.
What Tool Watch Co says about the watch
The Rally Chronograph is a 38mm stainless steel, chronograph-style watch designed for both men and women. The brushed steel dial highlights the watch’s utility-driven style. We use BGW9 luminous material on our signature hour and minute hands, as well as the dial indices, ensuring legibility in low-light conditions.
The caseback features an exclusive engraving by @krisnaokky, capturing the epic ethos of the rally racing era. Powered by the precise VK64 meca-quartz movement, the watch is paired with our Rally-style Saffiano leather strap, paying homage to the heritage of racing tradition.
Wrapping things up
The version of the Tool Watch Co Rally that we went hands-on with is their yellow-on-black, and is one of five variants they have of their chronograph platform. Only 300 are being made of this version, and you can put one on your wrist for just $395. Whether you’re looking to time a hot lap or just your hard-boiled eggs this summer, this watch will help you out, and give you some vintage style at the same time. Order yours directly at toolwatchco.com
Tool Watch Co Rally Tech Specs
- CASE: Brushed Stainless Steel
- DIMENSIONS: 38 x 46.4mm
- HEIGHT: 12.3mm
- LUG WIDTH: 20mm
- MOVEMENT: VK64 Meca-Quartz
- DIAL: Brushed Steel
- LUME: BGW9
- LENS
- Double-Domed Box
- AR-Coated K1 Crystal
- BEZEL: Fixed Tachymeter PVD coated
- CROWN: 7mm screw-down
- WATER RESISTANCE: 3 ATM (30 M)
- STRAP
- 20mm Rally-style
- Saffiano leather
