The New Peren Regia Automatic 39

A young brand based in Switzerland, Peren has, however, a rather peculiar background. Indeed, the brand has been created as a tribute to one of the first Transylvanian watchmakers, Eugen Hintz, and watches have been designed with one of this region’s most important locations in mind. Following the introduction of the Peren Hintz and Peren Nera Rogue collections, it’s a new diver’s watch that is presented, once again inspired by the Sarmizegetusa Regia, one of the most precise ancient calendars, known as the Stonehenge of Transylvania. But let’s move on to the watch itself, as it might be of greater interest. Meet the Peren Regia Automatic 39, an accessible dive watch with a modernist design and packing all the necessary features.

While the inspiration behind the watch feels slightly less obvious than it was in the Peren Hintz, there are quite a lot of positive aspects to discover in this new value proposition by Peren. The brand’s second dive watch, the Regia continues the strategy started with the Nera. Solid, fully-equipped, classic dive watches offered at a fair price and yet hardly debatable on the side of specifications. Compared to the Nera, the Regia feels like a step up in terms of design and finishing, with many details to make it a solid alternative in the crowded field of dive watches.

It all starts with a compact stainless steel case of 39mm in diameter, with a reasonable length of 45.30mm. We haven’t yet had the chance to test the watch, but these dimensions let us think that the Peren Regia will be a great fit on the wrist for most enthusiasts. The 12.8mm height is to be considered, but keep in mind that we’re talking about an aquatic watch with a rotating bezel. Speaking of which, the Regia comes with a uni-directional conical steel bezel, featuring two different finishings on the sides, and giving this new piece quite some personality. The same conical shape can be found on the screw-down crown. Combined with a screwed back, it guarantees a comfortable 200m water-resistance.

As said, this new model feels like a more mature expression of the brand’s design codes, starting with a case with newly-designed lugs, and surfaces that have been bead-blasted. Nice polished bevels on the sides add contrast. There are two editions of this new Peren, the Regia and the Regia X. The first one is characterized by a two-tone aluminium bezel with a streamlined 60-minute scale. The other edition, the X, features a twin scale with 60-minute and 12-hour markers.

The dial of the Peren Regia, offered in a highly legible matte black colour, is simplistic and modern. Contrast has been enhanced day and night thanks to attractive hours markers executed in 3D Super-LumiNova. This is where the Sarmizegetusa Regia inspiration is the most obvious. This clean display is reinforced by a laser-engraved scale on the periphery of the dial and simple, highly legible white luminous hands. And the originality comes from the position of the date window, at 12 o’clock… a small but quite cool detail.

Inside the case, no surprises, as we have here an automatic Swiss Sellita SW200. This 4Hz movement with 38h power reserve, known to be reliable and easy to service, is regulated by the brand internally. The watch is worn on a FKM vulcanized rubber strap and options for a steel bracelet or a textile strap are also available.

Now available for pre-order, the Peren Regia and Regia X are each limited to 300 pieces. The price, during the pre-order campaign, is a very reasonable CHF 693. The expected retail price will be CHF 963. For more details, please visit perenwatches.com.