Introducing the Lander Chronograph from Farer

It was only a few short years ago that Farer launched a line of simple quartz pieces with distinct design elements that set them apart from the competition. They’ve expanded significantly since the introduction of those first quartz watches in 2015, adding not just a series of mechanical watches, but watches with various mechanical complications, with a variety of unique and attractive case shapes. And they’ve done all of it while adhering to a very specific aesthetic: a modern take on mid-century British design cues, with a focus on incorporating bold splashes of color. Their new Lander Chronograph, launching today, combines the layout of the popular Eldridge model with the colorway of the absolutely fantastic Lander GMT, and the result is a sporty and retro chrono that is ready for Spring.

Farer Lander Chronograph

Case Material: 316L stainless steel
Dial: “Lander” sea green
Dimensions: 39mm x 12.5mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Water Resistance: 10 ATM
Crown: Solid bronze straight crown featuring inset Farer “A”
Movement: Swiss ETA 2894-2 Elaboré chronograph movement, bespoke Farer bronze “turbine” design rotor
Strap/bracelet: American Horween leather
Price: $1,950
Expected Release: Available today

Like the Lander GMT, the Lander Chronograph is dominated by a dial in a mesmerizing sea-green, with burnt orange accents on the running seconds, chronograph seconds, and chronograph minute hands. The large sub registers at 3:00 and 9:00 have a deeply cut radial finish, and the date window at 6:00 is well implemented and unobtrusive. My favorite details are actually the white contrasting hour and minute hands, arabic numerals, and telemeter scale. The colors work really well together, and there’s a crispness to the white elements that really aids in legibility.

I also think Farer deserves some credit for the use of the telemeter scale rather than the much more common tachymeter scale. The use of this scale gives the watch an air of military bona fides, with its most common function being to measure the distance between the user and an event that can be seen and then heard (such as, for example, artillery fire). It’s a subtle and appreciated nod to a very British part of watchmaking history.

The Lander Chronograph is conservatively sized at 39mm across and just 12.5mm thick, and uses the reliable ETA 2894-2 modular chronograph movement, which can be seen through a sapphire caseback. The case features a mix of polished and brushed surfaces, and fans of the brand will notice the now familiar bronze crown, a Farer trademark from the beginning.

Farer’s designs are easy to like if you’re after an affordable watch with a unique design that you just won’t find among the big brands. Their approach of incorporating real history into their brand’s story is refreshing (their watches tend to be named after actual British explorer types — Richard Lander was the only surviving European member of a team that explored regions of West Africa), and the dial designs are just a lot of fun. The new Lander Chronograph can be ordered today through Farer’s website. Farer

If you’re in San Francisco this weekend, be sure to stop by our Windup Watch Fair for a first look at this new piece. Also, let us know what you think about the new Lander Chronograph in the comments below.