This review assumes that you are already familiar with the features and use of a Synchronar 2100.

I've been a Synchronar owner and user off-and-on since 1983.  I recently decided that it was time to see if a contemporary digital watch could hold its own against the Synchronar, so I chose a comparable level watch to compare it to: Ventura's v-tec alpha.

What follows is my findings on the similarities and differences between the two watches, along with a summary of what each watch could learn from the other.  Keep in mind that the Synchronar was completely designed, engineered, and manufactured by one man: Roger Riehl.  The v-tec alpha was designed by a team of four people and has all the resources of an international watch company behind it.

Visibility/Readability

The Synchronar uses a single 4 character LED display (with variable brightness levels) to display one function at a time.  The v-tec alpha has a 2 line display of 6 characters each, allowing the user to see two functions simultaneously.  Surprisingly, the Synchronar's small LED display is actually easier to read then the large LCD display of the v-tec alpha.  LCD still sufferes from low contrast and poor visibility unless it is viewed from exactly the right angle - in this case, 90 degrees perpendicular to the watch. This means that the user has to twist his arm in order to read the time.  So the trade off is - do you want to have to slide a switch to see the time, or do you want to have to twist your arm?

One of the minor flaws of the v-tec alpha is its difficulty to use during the night.  Instead of pushing the large crown on the right of the watch to activate the LCD backlight (as one might intuitevely try to do), the user has to find and press a small, flush button that is located on the left hand side of the watch.   This button can be very difficult to find when you can't actually see the watch.

The design of the v-tec alpha's wrist band is very well integrated with the design of the watch.  The Synchronar's watch band looks like it could have come from any stainless steel chronograph.  (The band pictured here is not the standard Synchronar band, but is the lower budget "Sunwatch" band.)

Setting Features Functionality Power

Like most other digital watches, the v-tec alpha must have its batteries replaced every 2 or 3 years.  As far as I know, the Synchronar is still the only high-end, solar powered digital watch that does not require battery replacement.

Case Design Although the Synchronar was probably the most futuristic looking watch ever designed, it could benefit by being streamlined and trimmed down.  The v-tec alpha