When someone tells me they have a watch inspired by cars, I think of three things: racing chronographs that evoke more of the automotive lifestyle and the vehicle itself are automobile-adjacent (possibly with racing livery colors), instrument-style dials, and finally, watches that imitate the form of actual cars. A competent designer can accomplish the first without much fuss, the second is possible if rarely exciting, and the third is almost invariably awful. There is a fourth option, the watch penned by an automotive designer who applies their experience in a non-literal fashion. This is a rare and wonderful thing, and it is precisely what happened when Frank Stephenson teamed up with Szanto to create the Icon FS Cosmos I am reviewing today.
Even if you don’t know Frank Stephenson’s name, you know his work. He was responsible for the Mini, the Fiat 500, the original BMW X5, the Ferrari F430, and McLaren P1, so it’s fair to say the man knows a thing or two. Auto aficionados will also want to check out his YouTube channel, where he explains how he created these designs and offers commentary and criticism on other vehicles.
The FS Cosmos is an everyday sports watch. To that end, it has a 100m water resistance rating, a highly legible dial, SuperLuminova, a silicone strap, and the grab-it-and-go functionality of a sturdy Miyota 2117 quartz movement (3 hands, date, 4-year battery). With those specs, it is clearly a watch that you can wear every day without worry. Better still, I can attest that its comfort and appearance make it a watch you want to wear daily.
When you look at the FS Cosmos, you won’t see a car, but you will see the same taut athleticism and organic streamlining that Stephenson has employed in his automotive works. The watch’s stainless steel case measures 42mm wide, 45.5mm long, and 12.7mm thick from its case back to the peak of its domed K1 crystal. I always say that measurements are only part of the story, and that is certainly true here. It is a barrel shape that has been smoothed and sculpted to flow directly into its strap and around your wrist. I usually talk about the strap as a separate and distinct component, but here, it is an integral part of the overall unit, perfectly matching the size and contour of the case (about 22mm where they meet) so that even the edges carry through from tip to tail, unbroken by the case. The lug box is 14mm wide, but it doesn’t matter. It’s hidden, and you won’t be swapping your strap onto here anyway. It would ruin the whole experience.
I found the FS Cosmos to be an excellent fit on my 6.75″ wrist and supremely comfortable. There are no hard corners or protruding elements anywhere. The concave caseback is held with four recessed screws and extends edge-to-edge. The crown is particularly slick, sitting almost perfectly flush when depressed while offering just enough extension for you to operate it. The strap is ideal; soft, pliable, yet remarkably lint-free, which speaks to the quality of the material. It tapers to a color-matched 18mm buckle. Take a close look and notice how it is channeled over the strap for a lower profile.
Szanto offers five case finishes: a matte black or gray or a shiny silver, gold, or blue. All are attractive, but I was most drawn to the gray and black models, where the color and finish on the case most closely matched the strap.
One of the more surprising things about this watch is its weight. Quartz movements tend to be small, and as a result, many quartz watches are light. This can be both a blessing and a curse. I know many people avoid heavy watches, but at the same time, lightweight watches can feel insubstantial, raising questions of perceived quality or durability, however unjustified these feelings may be. The FS Cosmos has a comforting weight, enough to make you appreciate what you have in your hand.
Looking through that beautiful dome, we find a black dial full of sparkling flecks. I had assumed this starfield meant it was an aventurine dial, but it is granite. It is a stunning effect. The 0/3/6/9 layout is reminiscent of that Soviet icon, the Raketa Big Zero. On the FS Cosmos, the numbers are compressed, hugging the edges, which allows the 6 to squeak in under the orange porthole date window with its color-matched disk. Skeletonized hands graze their markers and go black at their bases, so they appear to float over the dial.
There is more than a touch of 1970’s sci-fi here. Not just in the night sky dial and Big Zero format but in the Cosmos typeface, the recessed circular markers on the rehaut, and the cohesiveness of the whole unit. Every detail has been carefully considered to enhance the experience of the watch.
As I mentioned earlier, the FS Cosmos is a watch you will want to wear every day, and I know this because I have. I own a stupid number of watches and always have a few on hand for review, so I usually make a concerted effort to switch things up. I’ve worn the FS Cosmos for two weeks now, only changing watches when circumstances absolutely required that I do so. Now, my work-from-home lifestyle means I no longer wear a suit, and I would not pair the FS Cosmos with one. Nor do I work in an extreme environment that might require high water or impact resistance. But for my casual wear and casual use, I happily strapped on the FS Cosmos each morning without a second thought, briefly neglecting my collection.
All this goodness comes at the refreshingly low price of $250 directly from TimeConcepts.net, and right now, you can take 20% off with code TIMEBUM20. If you are a fan of Stephenson’s work, or if you are simply looking for a stylish, comfortable watch, I recommend you give the Szanto Icon FS Cosmos a look.
