When I first wrote about Van Ree watches they had a cool concept and a vintage style design. With their second timepiece, Van Ree of Holland offers a more contemporary design to go with their unique concept. The DNA part of the watch name is not just a cool sounding buzzword, these watches actually do have something to do with DNA, your DNA.

The new model for Van Ree is this cool looking Chrono DNA. The first model was called the Personal DNA, and this one has the DNA of a chronograph? Not sure what that is about. If you click on the link above you can read all about the Personal DNA. Van Ree collects your DNA, and then uses parts of the genetic code on the watch itself. There is an imprint of the sequence on the rotor, and in acid base form on the periphery the back of the watch. For the Chrono DNA, I think things have been simplified. The graphics around the dial (as well as engraved into the automatic rotor) are meant to resemble the look of a  graphical DNA sequence. Not actually sure in these models are custom, or more mainstream models meant to give the brand more to offer.

Whether or not the Chrono DNA pieces actually have the DNA component, they are nice looking timepieces. In steel, the case is 44mm wide and water resistant to 100 meters. The dials a chic looking and come in light and dark tones. Not sure what the pusher or extra crown over by 10 o’clock is though. Maybe it holds a bit of DNA like in the Personal DNA watch.

Van Ree offers the watch on any number of straps, but they like crocodile or ostrich straps best. Inside the watch is a great movement – being a Zenith El Primero 400 automatic chronograph that runs at 5Hz. Interesting how you see watches here and there with Zenith movements in there. I wonder how big Zenith’s movement selling business is?

While the subdial arrangement on the face looks small, the dial is really easy to read with a style that seems to mix Star Trek and 1945 sport chronograph. Not sure about pricing, but I have a feeling it will be a bit more than I would guess. Oh, and there is also a woman’s model of this watch. Not sure the name. It has the same style dial, but with no chronograph in about a 33mm wide steel case with an ETA 2824-2 automatic movement in it.