I’ve put in the mileage around the globe testing out the Szanto ICON Roland Sands Signature watch. I’ve found it to be a great accessory when on two-wheels or four and perfect for everything from remote adventure travel to a night on the town. This watch offers great value, durability, and a clean design well suited for use in a wide range of settings.
Let’s dive into all the Szanto Roland Sands watch has to offer.
- $275 (Buy Here)
- 43mm 316L Stainless Steel Case and Fixed Bezel with IP Gun Gray Plating
- Stainless Steel Push Crown and Screw-In Caseback
- K1 Flat Hardened Mineral Crystal
- Japan Quartz (Miyota 2415) 3 Hand Day/Day Movement
- Blue Dial with Roland Sands Logo & High Quality Lume on the Numerals and Hour & Minute Hands (glows Blue)
- 100 Meters Water Resistant
- Genuine Horween (Sourced from the USA) Tan Leather Strap (22mm x 20mm) with Easy Change Spring Bar and Signature Buckle
First off, Roland Sands is a legend in the motorcycle community, both for his racing and his top-quality custom motorcycles. Sands won the 1998 AMA 250GP National Champion road racer championship and has competed in a broad range of motorcycle races. His signature Roland Sands Designs custom motorcycles and motorcycle parts exude performance, style, quality, and racing heritage. The bikes, and parts, are lusted after around the globe.
“I’m honored to partner with Time Concepts on the design and introduction of the Roland Sands Icon Watch,” said Sands. “The resulting watch is a timepiece that embodies the love and passion that I have for racing, the motorcycling community and innovative design.”
First off, this watch has survived some serious abuse during my ownership. I’m not easy on gear, especially when I use it on adventures and travels. The bezel has a bit of scuff on the side from impact with concrete and the strap has weathered/broken-in beautifully, but otherwise the watch looks like new. I’d honestly say that it is better than new, as the U.S.A.-sourced Horween leather strap has formed to my wrist perfectly and looks amazing.
The stainless steel case and mineral crystal watch face have also held up great. There have also been zero issues with water, even after riding motorcycles and mountain bikes in the rain with this watch on.
Bottom line, I’m stoked about the style and durability of the Szanto ICON Roland Sands watch. At $275 it is an amazing value and a watch I’d recommend to those who want a quality daily timepiece that shows off their motorcycle style.
The real shining aspect of this watch is the strap, which has a raised padded ribs design that emulates the stitch treatment on Sand’s signature motorcycle jackets. The strap also features a fingernail pull spring pin that allows you to change out the strap in a matter of seconds. This is awesome because there is a range of strap colors available for this watch.
The ICON Roland Sands Signature Series watches also come in a wide range of classy bezel and face colors, and in two face styles. Time Concepts now offers a 2250 series and the 2200 series, similar to what I reviewed here, in the Roland Sands Signature Series collection. They are very similar watches, but the 2250 series is a chronograph-style watch.
The watch I specifically reviewed is the Time Concepts Szanto ICON Roland Sands Signature 2103 model. This model looks to be discontinued now, and replaced with the 2203 model. The new Roland Sands 2203 watch looks to have a slightly shorter rear balance arm on the minute hand, a white outline around the date window, and has glowing hands and numerals, but is otherwise the same as the 2103 watch I tested.
“The unique watch design is meant to invoke the feeling of instruments on a bike and reflects his individualism, as is seen in his motorcycle creations, and exhibits a very vintage character,” said Time Concepts Founder Barry Cohen. “Roland was instrumental in the overall design of his watch series. We’re eager to share it with his fans.”
Time Concepts Watches
The Szanto ICON Signature Series is a small collection of watches that are tied to famous individuals, like big-wave surfer Shane Dorian, Indy 500 Champion Danny Sullivan, and of course Motorcycle maestro Roland Sands.
Time Concepts was founded by Barry Cohen, who also founded Luminox. Time Concepts was founded to create private label watches, which are developed in Switzerland and Asia and then manufactured in China. Besides the private label watches, Time Concepts also now has its own brands Szanto, 420Waldos, bia, and the Hawaiian Lifeguard Assn brand of dive watches.
