Sovrygn Calendar — A Capital Investment

As we head into District Time Watch Show 2023, I’m reminded of one of my favorite Instagram posts from last year’s show: an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak perpetual calendar in white ceramic, a $500,000 USD piece, next to the still-in-production Sovrygn triple calendar anticipated to list at around $700 USD.

First of all, how cool is that side-by-side? A down payment on a multimillion-dollar home next to a prototype still itching to find its first customer.  And the best part — attendees at District Time can appreciate it all: from the time-honored brands worthy of luxury reputations to the plucky entrepreneurs daring to create The New.  (Did you hear Anton Ego’s voice there?)

Here at The Time Bum it doesn’t hurt that The New also tends to be gentler on the wallet. Which brings me to one of my favorite watches from last year, The Sovrygn Calendar. In a way you already know the punchline: you get a triple calendar automatic movement at right around $700 USD. The current listing of $650 USD actually saves you an Uber eats dinner. Go ahead, get the guac.

And honestly, you could head over to the site now with enough knowledge to take a chance on this fledgling brand.  Three colorways, two bracelet options — there’s already a lot to love.  But let’s get into the details so you can rest assured this is more than just a good bet.  It’s a capital investment.

Capital is something of a theme here. It’s no coincidence that the Sovrygn brand hails from the capital of Canada’s sovereignty, Ottawa. This Ontario city is home to meandering canals and picturesque bike paths, gothic hilltop architecture with Augustine beauty — and now a neophyte microbrand offering its own version of stately charm.

Founder Hazmat Balogun, a native Nigerian who built an engineering career in Ottawa before pivoting to another lifelong passion in the watch industry, clearly appreciates attention to detail.  You don’t just start your watch company with an automatic triple calendar with 5 complication functionality on a whim.

He lent me this version of the Calendar for review: the aqua blue dial on stainless steel bracelet.  Personally, it was my favorite of the lot, and it was one of those review pieces you really don’t want to send back.  As we zoom in I’ll show you why.

Obviously, the dial gets the focus.  First, the basics: two centered sub-dials showcase the day and month, and a 4:30 date window completes the calendar trifecta.  For good measure, you get a power reserve at the 12 (an especially useful complication for a calendar) and a 24-hour sub-dial at the 6 slot.  All functions are controlled with the crown at two positions just like usual, and that delightful mono-pusher.

So you know, the dial reads very legibly on regular wrist checks.  I’ve zoomed in here so you can appreciate some of the finer details: like the subtle but effective textured dial, the pops of color nicely peppered across the hands and minute markers, ever-so-carefully cut applied indices that contour with the power reserve and crouch beneath the 24-hour dial.

Turning attention to the case you get a nicely proportioned, if slightly hulky, 39 mm x 47 mm stainless steel case that rests at 13 mm high. That 13 mm may sound a bit tall, but on my 7.25 inch wrist it sat perfectly comfortably without any wobble or indentations.

Now you do feel its presence — particularly with the angled yet discrete octagonal frame.  Personally, it conjured the kind of armored protection you might have as a member of a sovereign delegation; a welcome, sturdy design cue.

Flipping the case to the other side you get another stately note with the all caps SOVRYGN etching.  Hazmat warned me right away that this might be a controversial design decision, and I can see where it might seem added to some.  But in person, it’s certainly not a distraction or dealbreaker.  And again, for myself, I liked it — recalling a thread from the Roman Senate’s SPQR right up to your next wrist check.

If you want to get a tad critical, the bracelet packs a bit more bling than you might expect and I felt was the only design choice that strayed from the courtly code.  But here I have good news and good news for you: if pizzaz is your thing the bracelet delivers it in a smooth, integrated system that feels great on your wrist.  And if you prefer to switch it up the Calendar turned out to be a sneaky strap monster.

My first instinct was to stick with the cooler colors, which definitely worked: seen here on the HODINKEE sand suede.  More importantly, the squared case edges and angled lugs create a perfectly snug fit for any 20 mm strap.  No awkward gaps, no visible quick-release hooks — just flush enjoyment.

Once I started I couldn’t stop. I pulled out three standard colors from the Nodus line (tan, brown, and black) and couldn’t find one I didn’t like. Like the suede, leather worked quite naturally in a snug, secure fit.

To my surprise, my favorite was this loud orange Barton strap.  You don’t really notice the orange accents on the dial until something pulls it out, but when it does it is just perfection.  As a welcome plus, the triple calendar gets an elevated sporty feel on the rubber strap.

And just to prove this deal isn’t too good to be true — you get a visual of the automatic triple calendar movement through the exhibition case back displaying the Miyota 9100 ticking away at 28,800 beats per hour.  And a decorated rotor to boot, eh?

What is there left to say?  I didn’t think Canada offered a better deal than Tim Horton’s glazed old-fashioned donut, but now I see I was wrong.  The Sovereign Calendar makes for a competitive partner to start the morning, check-in throughout the day, and sure build that empire. Currently available online at $650 USD.

So, that was a trip down memory lane from District Time 2022.  Come see what new gem awaits this year; it might save you a down payment on your castle.