Here we have a desirable 1970s Roamer Stingray Chronograph watch, model 726-9120.602. It is well known for its use of the Valjoux 726 movement, the upgrade on the legendary Valjoux 72. It is a sporting chronograph with the well sized barrel case of 37mm wide. It has the brushed finish to the top, with polished sides. To the right is the original signed crown and original pushers for the chronograph. The monocoque case design was highly innovative, helping to waterproof the watch. The dial is a matte black with the red Tachymeter scale and white minute/seconds track, with the aged luminous to the hour batons. It has the three inset sub-dials with the constant seconds, 12-hour counter and 30 minute counter. The stick hands have the luminous in-fill with white painted finish and the tapered central second stands out with the bright red paint. The case back is sold with the Roamer Stingray logo and motif to the centre. It comes on its original NSA bracelet with the Roamer logo to the clasp. The valjoux 726 movement has been recently serviced and is keeping excellent time.
A serious sports chronograph to be used as a tool, the model gained significant fanfare when it was worn by Björn Waldegård during his victory in the inaugural World Rally Championship. Björn also won the 1969 and 1970 Monte Carlo Rally in a Porsche 911S and partnered with Roamer for the advertising of the Stingray Chrono.
Its design is equally impressive as its credentials. The chunky Barrell case is well sized yet versatile. The brushed finishing catches the eye with the dial having the stealthy matte black tone. The red accents standout offering a welcome pop of colour. The sub-dial hands with their red and white paint are reminiscent of candy canes. Add to this the custom NSA bracelet and the impeccable Valjoux 726 movement and you have a seriously impressive watch.
The Valjoux 72 was used in the earlier model from 1969 to 1973. This example dates from 1973-1974 as it features the improved Valjoux 726, which was only used in the final year and a half of production.
The dial has the matte black base tone with the clear white 1/5th seconds track and the aged luminous to the hour batons. The layout is designed with the user in mind, with the Red Tachymeter scale standing out around the exterior of the dial. When reset, the chronograph seconds hand does not intercept the logo or branding. Both the Roamer logo and the ‘Roamer Stingray Chrono’ text are positioned off centre to either side of the hand, allowing full focus on the chronograph. The sub-dials are inset to the dial and have the dished shape. The constant seconds are at 9 o’clock with the 12-minute counter at 6 o’clock and the 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock. The constant seconds hand has the bright white paint with the aged luminous in-fill to the centre. The Chronograph sub-dial hands have the white painted finish with the red stripe to the centre.
The case works well on any wrist size with the 37mm width. The total case length is 43.25mm which gives the watch a good presence. It is formed of stainless steel and has the waterproof monocoque design with the solid front section and solid rear shell. The movement and dial are pushed out through the top after the split stem crown has been removed. It originally had a depth rating of 120m which is impressive for a chronograph. The case is the barrel shape with the subtly curved top. It has the brushed finish which catches the eye. It has a polished bevel to the edges which transitions into the flat case sides. It has a hidden lug design with the block like front. To the right is the original chunky Roamer crown, which is sandwiched between the chronograph pushers. The rear of the case has the polished finish with the model specifics engraved and the reference 726-9120.602. It has the well-defined Stingray text and motif to the centre.
The watch comes on its original NSA steel bracelet which was manufactured for Roamer. It has the stretch clasp which is signed with the Roamer ‘R’ logo. It has the alternating 4 and 3 link rows with the H pattern design. It is a thin bracelet which contrasts the top-heavy nature of the watch well, making it feel less bulky overall. It currently fits up to a 17.8cm wrist diameter, but we have a whole new bracelet coming soon which will be included with it, so it will fit any wrist size with the links from the other used.
Inside is the Valjoux 726, which was the final and upgraded iteration of the legendary Valjoux 72. It is manually wound with a jewel count of 17 and an improved frequency of 21,600 BPH.
It has been recently serviced and is in very good condition, keeping accurate time to within +/- 5 seconds variation per day, with an amplitude of 290 degrees and a beat error of 0.0 m/s. The winding is smooth and the pusher action is sharp.
The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
A further condition report is below.
Dial:
The dial is original and is in good condition. The signing is clear and bright. The original luminous to the hour markers has aged to a darkened tone.
Hands:
The hands have the fresh painted finish with few signings of ageing. The original luminous in-fill is complete and has the same darkened tone as the dial.
Glass:
The crystal is acrylic is a replacement and lacks the Roamer ‘R’ etching to the centre. It is a clean crystal with no marking.
Crown and pushers:
The crown is signed with the Roamer logo and is in good condition with only light marking. The pushers are original and are in very good condition, functioning well.
Case:
The case is formed of stainless steel and is in strong condition with the original brushed finish to the top and polished bevels. The brushed finish has some light scratching associated with age. The case has some light scratching and small dints to the sides.
Caseback:
The case back has been polished in the past. The logo to the centre is well defined. The text and reference signing are visible but have lost definition.
Bracelet:
It comes on its original NSA steel bracelet with the Roamer logo. It is in good condition with the original finishes well defined. It currently fits up to a 17.8cm wrist diameter, but we have a whole new bracelet coming soon which will be included with it, so it will fit any wrist size with the links from the other used.
Movement:
Inside is the Valjoux 726 which is a manually wound movement, with a jewel count of 17 and an improved frequency of 21,600 BPH.
It has been recently serviced and is in very good condition, keeping accurate time to within +/- 5 seconds variation per day, with an amplitude of 290 degrees and a beat error of 0.0 m/s. The winding is smooth and the pusher action is sharp.
Case dimensions
Case width: 37mm
Case width with crown: 41mm
Case length: 43.25mm
Case depth: 14.4mm
Lug width: 18mm