Sugess ST1907 BB Chronograph S457

Sugess has been on a roll with mechanical chronographs—and this new S457 might be their boldest yet. Not only does it pack the hand-wound Seagull ST1907 column-wheel chronograph movement inside, but it also comes in a set of vibrant, dopamine-inspired colors that you don’t normally see at this price point. Think pastel dials, aluminum bezel, domed sapphire, and even a power reserve indicator—yes, on a chronograph. So, is it just eye candy, or does it actually deliver? Let’s find out!

Design

So in terms of the design, of course, this is a close homage to the Black Bay Chronograph—an extremely popular model. So no prizes for originality. However, I need to point out that at the time of filming this review I believe this is the only mechanical chronograph of this style in production. Other brands delivered something similar in the past but not anymore, so this gives this Sugess a strong competitive advantage, because well there is no competition to speak off, not at this price point anyway. Now, when it comes to the colorways, yes, Sugess has what they call the ‘Dopamine’ series, which is nice. But let’s be honest: these flamingo pink and blue colors were really popularized through Tudor and their collaboration with David Beckham. So they didn’t exactly invent these colors, however, to give credit where it’s due, what Sugess did really well is incorporate elements of different chronograph movements into this layout. They included a power reserve indicator on a mechanical chronograph, which is a neat feature. And I do like the little splashes of red on the dial, on the tip of the second hand, and on that power reserve indicator. It just adds a bit more visual interest.

Another thing I really appreciate in their design is the mechanical approach to functionality. The first thing I did when I saw the pictures on Instagram was reach out to them to confirm whether the crown was push-pull or screw-down. And to my relief, it’s a push-pull crown, which makes it so much nicer as a daily driver. You don’t have to fiddle with a screw-down crown just to wind it up each day.

Now, they did include screw-down pushers, which might look like a design oversight, however there is a method in this madness :) First, it does help, to some degree, with water resistance. And second, there’s another useful reason for those pushers, that make chronograph operation more robust, that I’ll get into when we talk about the movement.

Movement

Inside is the Seagull ST1907—a hand-wound, column-wheel chronograph derived from the Swiss caliber Venus 175 architecture. It runs at 21,600 vph with roughly 42 hours of power reserve, and it delivers that crisp, mechanical start/stop feel enthusiasts want from a true column-wheel layout.

We get the usual ST19 sub-dial arrangement: 30-minute counter at three, running seconds at nine, and a power-reserve indicator between 4 and 5. That last bit is not very common (but genuinely very handy) on a mechanical chronograph at this price—it makes the daily winding routine much more intuitive.

Now, back to those pushers. The screw-down design doesn’t just help with dust and moisture protection—it actually enhances usability. You can lock them to avoid accidental engagement, which is useful because the reset pusher here is very sensitive and can trigger with just a light touch. By screwing it down, you eliminate that risk. The same goes for the top pusher: lock it, and you won’t accidentally start the chrono in a pocket or bag. It’s a small detail, but it makes this chronograph more practical day-to-day.

Dimensions

Now let’s talk numbers. The case measures 41 millimeters in diameter, 49 millimeters lug-to-lug, and just 11.5 millimeters thick, ok that's if we don't include the really nice double domed boxed Sapphire crystal. With that boxed Sapphire the is 14.2mm high. For a mechanical chronograph, that’s quite acceptable.

The lug width is a slightly unusual 21 millimeters, which limits strap options a bit, but it does give the watch a balanced stance on the bracelet. And at 173g grams as supplied and 155g after sizing it to my about 7 inch wrist it’s got a nice, solid wrist presence without being overly heavy.

Case

The case is well-executed 316L full stainless steel construction. Starting at the top, we’ve got an aluminum bezel insert with a tachymeter scale -classic racing chronograph style. The markings are crisp and clean and it is set within a polished stainless steel bezel frame that adds a bit of shine.

Moving down, the top of the case features mostly brushed finishing with polished accents. The transitions are smooth and well-machined, with no sharp edges—everything feels refined to the touch.

The high polished flanks look A high polished prominent flanks look nice, however this lovely look comes at the cost of them being a bit of a scratch magnet.

And keeping with the vintage-inspired aesthetic, there are no crown guards here. Instead, we get a well proportioned push-pull crown signed with the Sugess logo, flanked by screw-down chronograph pushers. The crown is easy to operate, and the overall setup keeps the design looking clean and balanced.

We have a sterile screw-on back-case that features simple circular brushing. It is nice and flat, and that’s about it. That flat case profile allows for a comfortable wrist fit, which makes this chrono an easy day-to-day wear.

Water resistance is rated to 100 meters, which is solid for this style of watch. As always, I’d treat that as more for handwashing, rain, and daily wear rather than swimming—especially with a push-pull crown and chronograph pushers in the mix. Still, for casual use, it’s reassuring and practical.

Crystal

Sitting on top is a boxed, double-domed sapphire crystal—and it’s a beauty. It adds just the right amount of vintage charm, tying in perfectly with the overall design. There’s a slight distortion at the edge curves, as you'd expect, but the dial remains very legible from most angles.

There’s no official mention of anti-reflective coating in the listing, but based on how it performs, there may be a light application. Either way, the high-contrast dial underneath keeps things crisp and readable. It’s a well-chosen crystal that really completes the look of this watch.

Dial

The dial here is genuinely well-executed. This pale pink flamingo variant pops just enough without being over the top, and the high-contrast white hands make legibility excellent. The black sub-dials add further contrast and feature a subtle sunburst effect that gives the dial added depth and visual interest.

As I noted earlier I also really like the red accents—on the chronograph seconds hand tip and on the power reserve indicator—which break up the softer tones nicely. The applied hour markers feature a high polish finish and are filled with lume. Branding is minimal: just the Sugess name and ‘Chronograph’ at 12, and three small lines of text above 6. Overall, it’s a dial that’s both a bit playful and thoughtfully composed.

Now, as for the lume performance - well, it is fine—nothing extreme, but adequate for a chronograph. The hands glow a bit stronger than the indices, which is the right way around. It probably won’t impress Seiko fans, but it does the job, and all the key elements remain readable in low light.

Bracelet

The bracelet here is a nicely done, Oyster-style stainless steel setup with a familiar three-link layout. It features solid links and solid end links, with brushing on the top and polished sides—nothing flashy, but very cleanly executed. There are no rough edges or sharp transitions, and overall machining is pretty good.

What stands out is the inverted end link design. It’s well integrated with the case, keeps the effective lug-to-lug in check, and even has a slight recess that adds a subtle touch of refinement. The tolerances aren’t ultra-tight, but they’re perfectly acceptable for the price.

Link connections are handled with pins, not screws. At over $200, I would’ve preferred screws, but pins still work well and hold up just fine in daily use. For the money, this bracelet delivers exactly what you’d expect—solid comfort, decent finishing, and clean fitment. No surprises, but no real complaints either.

The clasp is a familiar double-pusher design with a milled inner scissor mechanism—reliable and well-tested. It features nice brushing with subtle polished chamfers, and three well-spaced micro-adjustments for dialing in the fit.

One quirk worth noting: Sugess uses three different logos across the dial, crown, and clasp. The cursive ‘Sugess’ on the clasp is particularly nice, but the inconsistency is a bit odd—even if each design is attractive in its own right.

As for wearability, the bracelet’s moderate heft does a good job counterbalancing the sizable chronograph head. It wears securely, comfortably, and feels solid enough for everyday use.

Verdict

So where does that leave us? The Sugess S457 is a bold, colorful chronograph that combines a true column-wheel ST1907 movement, sapphire crystal, 100 meters of water resistance, and solid build quality—all for a very competitive price point of about $220 before tax. Sure, it’s not original in its case design, and the bracelet could use a touch more refinement. But when you factor in the playful dials, and overall specs, it’s hard to argue with the value. And not the least important factor - no other brands, right now, offer this type of homage powered by a mechanical chronograph caliber either - so in this respect Sugess is kinda the king of the hill, for now at least! But what do you think? Let us know down in the comments!