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Apr 02, 2025
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Szanto Desert Sands Review

4 years ago
1 min read

Szanto Desert Sands Review

by Michael Satterfield – 12/14/2020

The first time I heard of Szanto Watches was their collaboration with Roland Sands earlier this year, the watches looked good and were price right. The Roland Sands watch collection was part of their ICON series which also includes a collection in partnership with racing driver Danny Sullivan and Surfer Shane Dorian. 

Szanto is made by a company called Time Concepts which makes a number of other lifestyle watch brands like 420Waldos, Bia, and several others. But Szanto seems to be the best-developed concept and the one with the best back story. The Szanto line is inspired by vintage military watches and they do a good job at capturing the vintage look. The brand offers Japanese Automatic and Quartz movements by Miyota, the rest of the watch is made in China.

Szanto Desert Sands Review

The Desert Sands is offered in three styles, the antique gold case with a white or black face, and a black case with a black face. The brushed stainless steel case with antique gold ion plating looks great, it has the look of vintage bronze without the issues associated with a bronze or brass case. Being stainless steel also allows for a 100-meter water-resistant rating.

Szanto Desert Sands Review

The watch is very functional, I like that it has both the 12 and 24-hour designations on the face, the lume on the hands is bright and shows up well at night, the stopwatch feature is also a nice nod to the military inspiration of the watch. Inside is a trusty quartz chronograph Miyota 6S21 movement with a date complication. I do like how the oversized 6 is home to the date window on the watch. The leather strap is high quality and features quick-release pins, it should age nicely with wear and match the built-in patina look of the case. 

At 41mm the Desert Sands 4550 Series is a nice size to wear as a casual daily watch, while I think it is a beautiful watch and well made, I don’t think they really nailed the military field watch theme. Field watches have always been simple, the A-11, Omega RAF, or Benrus GI come to mind as examples of the clean functional design that defined military watches. The Desert Sands feels more like a modern interpretation of a gentleman’s watch from the early 1900s and less like the watch a soldier would be issued during the North African campaign.   

Szanto Desert Sands Watch

The Szanto Desert Sands retails for $295and can be found on SzantoTime.com.

Specifications: 

  • 41mm 316L Brushed Stainless Steel Case with IP Antique Gold Plating
  • Black Dial with thick Swiss SuperLuminova Lume (Old Radium Color) on Hands and Dial Numbers to ensure bright and long-lasting visibility
  • Japan Quartz 2 Eye Chronograph (Miyota 6S21) & Date Movement
  • Push Crown
  • Screw Case Back
  • Hardened Mineral Crystal
  • 22mm Brown Calf Leather Strap with Signature Buckle
  • 100 Meters Water Resistant

Szanto Desert Sands Chrongraph 4553

Michael Satterfield

Michael Satterfield, founder of The Gentleman Racer, is a storyteller, adventurer, and automotive expert whose work blends cars, travel, and culture. As a member of The Explorers Club, he brings a spirit of discovery to his work, whether uncovering forgotten racing history or embarking on global expeditions. His site has become a go-to destination for car enthusiasts and style aficionados, known for its compelling storytelling and unique perspective. A Texan with a passion for classic cars and motorsports, Michael is also a hands-on restorer, currently working on a 1960s SCCA-spec Formula Super Vee and other project cars. As the head of the Satterfield Group, he consults on branding and marketing for top automotive and lifestyle brands, bringing his deep industry knowledge to every project.

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