Bangalore Watch Company continues to honor its Indian roots with the limited edition MACH 1 Synchro, commemorating 25 years of the Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran formation acrobatics team. Before we get too far into this release, this hands-on will look at what’s new about the Synchro that makes it stand out from the base model; I encourage you to check out our full review of the base MACH 1 here. The Synchro takes that model, gives it a black DLC treatment, and injects it with the colors of the Suryakiran team’s jets.
The dial is where the MACH 1 Synchro really sets itself apart. In place of the usual fin flash and model name at 9 o’clock, the 9 jets of the Suryakiran are in formation, their red and white livery bold against the black dial. My favorite part, though, is the striped minute hand (Suryakiran means “rays of the sun”). It echoes the design of the jets, but the best part about it is that stripes are lumed, creating a unique look in the dark.
The 40mm case maintains the same form, at 10.8mm thick and a 46.5mm lug-to-lug, with 20mm lugs. Despite a pull-out crown, the watch has 100m of water resistance. For this special edition, Bangalore Watch Co. has used the black PVD case of its “Stealth” MACH 1 offering. It’s fitting given the stunning speeds and deftness with which the Suryakiran team flies. I don’t personally have issues with DLC and PVD watches—though I don’t own any—but I know some worry about the coating wearing down and the case no longer keeping its appealing all black finish. Another way to look at this is that each watch will get its own unique wear pattern over time. And given the build quality and movement, this one should last a long while.
The caseback also receives a special design, mirroring the 9-plane formation seen on the dial. Just as with the standard MACH 1 models, the Synchro features the Sellita SW200-1. You all know it well as a reliable movement with solid specs, and if you don’t, that’s what Google is for. The watch comes on a somewhat stiff black leather strap with a pop of red for its backing. It has quick-release tabs which make swaps easy, and there is a second red nylon strap, though I’ll advise that the material is just ok, and rather thick at the ends.
I don’t much go in for black watches. I like to change straps too much and find the case color limiting. So right off the bat, I wouldn’t buy this. But that has nothing to do with the watch, really, just my preferences. The Bangalore Watch Company MACH 1 Synchro is undeniably cool and succeeds once again in paying homage to part of India’s culture and heritage, something at which the brand is exceptionally good. I don’t usually talk about price—its subjective and unaffordable to some is pocket change to others—but I must in this case. I’m of the mind that if limited editions cost more, it should be become something of value is added to the watch itself. The regular Stealth MACH 1 is priced around $985, yet the Synchro is a staggering $1,950. Yes, you get a rugged case, a neat patch, and the extra strap, but it again, the value is about the watch, and to me, paying $1,000 more is objectively excessive.
You can learn more about the Bangalore Watch Company MACH 1 Synchro at the brand’s website.