Key Features
The Roamer Searock is one the most robust and well protected watches from the Swiss brand. Going off the considerable thickness of the stainless steel case relative to its size, you can take one look at this watch and feel how sturdy it is. The MST 521 calibre movement is in perfect condition, it runs like new. The silver tone sunburst dial has a red seconds hand, nicely contrasting navy blue indices and hands. The most special feature of this watch is the inscription on the back, which reads “To Norman, From the lads, at Bromley U.F. June 1976”. We did some research, and can’t seem to find out what Bromley U.F. is, but we assume it’s associated with some sort of football club! A very personal detail indeed.
About Roamer
At 29 years of age, Fritz Meyer established a workshop in Solothurn to produce cylinder escapements for other etablisseurs. The company grew rapidly, and began assembling complete watches by 1895. These contained components from many other businesses and were sold with other brand names. In 1897, Meyer’s workshop produced its first complete movement, named “Calibre 38” for the age of the founder. In 1905, Meyer partnered with watchmaker Johann Studeli, forming Meyer and Studeli or MST. The combined company opened a large factory in 1906, still producing inexpensive cylinder movements. The company registered their distinctive triangular MST logo in 1927 and the modern Roamer logo was registered in the UK in 1938. The entire company adopted the Roamer name in 1951, though the in-house movements were still known as “MST”. Roamer introduced a quartz watch in 1972 and shifted much of their production there. By 1975 the company had ceased movement production entirely.
In 2009, Roamer was reincorporated as a joint venture between Chung Nam and Swiss Watch Group. Although no longer an independent family firm, Roamer has continued as a producer of Swiss watches for more than 120 years in the same city. Today, Roamer is a less-expensive brand, competing with companies like Rado, Mido, Movado, and Tissot with a line of quartz and ETA-powered mechanical watches.
Servicing and Guarantee
This timepiece has been serviced with full disassembly in our Bristol workshop. There is a 12-month guarantee, subject to the usage and care guidelines.
Overview
Case and Strap
- Stainless steel cushion case
- Screw down steel caseback
- Caseback engraved with Roamer logo, and text reading ‘”To Norman, From the lads, at Bromley U.F. June 1976″
- Signed winding crown
- Acrylic crystal
- New 20mm tan leather strap
Dimensions:
- Width w/o crown: 34mm
- Width w/crown: 36.5mm
- Height: 39mm
- Thickness: 10.5mm
- Strap width: 20mm
Dial and Hands
- Silver tone sunburst dial
- Mirror polish hands with navy-blue accents and lume
- Red needle seconds hand
- Dark navy-blue applied indices
- Date indicator at 3 position
- Signed ‘Roamer’ below 12 with logo
Movement
- Swiss made movement
- MST 521 calibre
- Manual wind
- 17 jewels
- 56hr power reserve
- Quickset date
Testing Results
- Testing duration: 1 week cyclic test.
- Average timekeeping range: 15-30 sec/day.
Servicing and Guarantee
- Fully serviced with disassembly in our Bristol shop.
- Mechanics in full working order.
- 12-month warranty.
- Guarantee Terms and Conditions.
