Newmark 71 Sports Shows British Watchmaking Is Alive And Ticking

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Risen like a horological phoenix from the flames in 2018, Newmark Watch Company is on a mission to open up the timekeeping annals of their past. Fine British watchmaking, more vintage vibes than a Rolex Daytona Paul Newman Lemon Dial and contemporary wearability is on show as we take time out to give our review of the Newmark 71 Sports.

At A Glance

Stretching back to the Victorian period, the brand was renowned for its Torpedo pocket watches and aviation spirit, seeing their pieces on the wrists of RAF pilots.
Overseen by Chairman Wade Newmark with roots stretching back to 1875, their robust military inspired pieces, created for professionals, were a hallmark of the company.
Renowned collections like the 6BB chronograph, 52 Field and Waterking, their connection to motorsport and aviation has seen Donald Campbell sport a specially produced Newmark stopwatch while undertaking his speed records in the cockpit of the legendary Bluebird.
Blending modern dimensions, domed crystal and 38mm case with retro vibes, this sporty cum diver has more 70s style than Marlon Brando in bright blue flares.
Delivering entry-level affordability with vintage vibes rivalling a weekend at Château Margaux’s vineyard, the Newmark 71 Sports is available in three different executions in a matt black or blue dial and a diamond like coating (DLC)
Revitalising the line for the modern wearer, it comes equipped with a Miyota 9039 movement, screw down crown and and a smooth as butter solid link bracelet.

So, there is a teaser of what to expect. But first, it is only fair to introduce the brand itself and why they are the King of comebacks…very much like the 47th US President, Donald J. Trump.

And you know we all like a good backstory…

High Flying Birds

No this is not a reference to Noel Gallagher’s band or the time spent on various sites trying to snaffle up Oasis reunion tickets, like pigs hunting elusive truffles in the Perigord.

We are referring to the brand’s epic legacy that stretches back more than a century. Taking inspiration from aviation and plunging the depths of the ocean as per the Rolex Deepsea Challenge 126067, Newmark has passed the history test with literal flying colours.

Encapsulating the spirit of adventure, as in the case of the epic Vacheron Constantin Overseas line, the Newmark 71 Sports is part of the horological makeup, residing in their Heritage collection.

Stemming from traditional roots, this model sits harmoniously alongside the 52 Field watch, paying homage to the brand’s military connections while the 6BB Pilots Chronograph may give an IWC a potential run for its money, in terms of dial legibility. In fact, this specific, military issued pilot timepiece was revived in 2018, thanks to a Kickstarter campaign that received a warm reception.

Copyright: Atchhistory.com, Glenn Pardoe

While their back catalogue may not be as storied as the grande dames of horology such as Rolex or some of the best Patek Philippe watches, aka the Nautilus, the 6BB Pilots Chronograph is currently handed out to beginner pilots, undertaking training at RAF Shawbury.

And that’s something worth shouting about.

Source: Discogs.com

Add in the Newmark Helicopter Flying Trophy whose history stretches back to 1967, when the inaugural Boeing 737 took flight, and UK entrant Sandie Shaw won the Eurovision Song Contest with “Puppet On A String’, you begin to see plenty more behind the curtain.

And if you want to get up close and personal with some of the best home grown timekeeping talent, check out our feature on 18 Best British Watch Brands To Put On Your Horological Radar.

But wait a second…It’s not quite time to put the kettle on and indulge in a spot of tea, scones and a smoked salmon sandwich. We have only begun to lift the lid on this brand. With a rich tapestry befitting any timekeeping tale, akin to the Speedmaster, Cartier Santos Dumont or Rolex Daytona, you may think this brand does not have any investment potential.

Think again.

The Price Is Right

Time is money as they say.

But before we move on to our review of the Newmark 71 Sports, we must give credit to a revelation that may turn a wrist or two.

With British military aviation coursing through the brands veins, it is this precision and enduring aesthetics that have recently led to a remarkable discovery on Ebay. According to their site, an original 6BB Pilots Chronograph was put up for sale in the region of £11,000 at the time of writing.

To put this into comparison, you can buy a Rolex Oyster Perpetual (twice)

Credit where credit is due.

So what’s so special about this novelty? Hang on a tick and we will explain. Manufactured during the 1980s when Spandex and shell suits were de rigueur, did you know it was specifically commissioned for the British Ministry of Defence (MoD), and distributed to both navigators and RAF pilots?

As much of an 80s icon as Miami Vice’s Don Johnson, you’d be hard pressed to find one of these lying around in your drawer..or online for that matter. Today, finding one of these original chronographs is as rare as being number 1 on the Patek Philippe waitlist. That’s rare.

LEARN MORE: All Waiting List Times For Patek Philippe Watches - Nautilus, Aquanaut, Calatrava

More sought after than Lord Lucan, it appears to score high on the scarcity and collectability metre. So it seems. This is largely in part down to what is known as the “Fab Four” of military issued watches. Oh yes, this may prove to be the Beatles of military novelties. But you may want to twist and shout about its significance.

It turns out not one but four brands were responsible for delivering pieces to the British Armed Forces at the time. These were;

Hamilton
CWC
Precista
Newmark

Built to last and with Incredible Hulk force strength, they offered bags of functionality and simplistic design, only produced in tandem with meeting the most stringent requirements. With a limited production run, not many existed due to a number of factors like being thrown away after putting in hard yards (or should that be years) of service.

As a result of supply and demand, this became a holy grail for some avid enthusiasts, leading to the rebirth of Newmark's 6BB Chronograph, at a much more affordable price.

FIND OUT MORE: 9 Grail Watches You Should Start Collecting Today

Only £500.

Staying true to its design codes, it is testament to what has developed into a British stalwart, Not quite the fish and chips of watches, but you get our drift. Plus it gives wearers the opportunity to buy a watch that celebrates this renowned story, symbolising a bygone era of expert military craftsmanship.

It’s time to stand to attention, as we deep dive like an Omega Planet Ocean into our review. Start the clock.

Personality Of The Newmark 71 Sports

First off the bat, there have been a number of iterations of this particular model over the years. Be it sporty or diver, this melange of both types of watches results in something that takes the best of both worlds.

There’s lots of polishing and brushing going on so you can sparkle if you are in the boardroom or have wangled an invite to the Emmys or Golden Globes. Because for the price, this is a fiery starter piece that has a lot going for it, with more of a back story than Richard Mille could only dream of…given the latter was only founded in 2001.

MORE ON RICHARD MILLE: The Top 12 Most Popular Richard Mille Watches For Men

Sure, many horophiles have fallen head over heels with one of the best Rolex watches in the form of the no date Submariner. Yet, this no date novelty, thanks to the solid Miyota 9039 movement utilised in the screw down case is still a beater at heart.

Measuring 38mm x 13mm, it wears well on the wrist and is a slimmer timepiece adhering to the current trend of global enthusiasts. And to give you an example, the Newmark 71 Sports is 2.5mm less, case diameter wise than a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5990 and only 0.5mm thicker than a 40mm Rolex Day-Date President reference 228238.

As Olivia Newton John proclaimed in Grease from summer 1978;

Ah wella, wella, wella, huh, tell me more, tell me more…

Hang on a tick and we will enlighten you. Emanating plenty of lustre, there is a nice profile which sits well for the wearer with an impressive bracelet for this price point, offering comfort, brushed surfaces, smooth solid links and a pushbutton clasp system with the brand logo etched into the centre.

We particularly like the numbers within the triangular markers located at 12, 3, 6 and 9 for that real retro vibe. Who needs an icy cool Zenith Defy Extreme Glacier when you can turn up the heat by sipping a Cosmopolitan around the pool, with 200 metres of water resistance. Plus, you indulge in a spot of scuba diving, or paddle boarding in the Bahamas, and you are good to go.

As for the dial, it’s out with the sunburst variation and in with the gradient for the most recent iteration with blue in the centre, extending out to black hues around the periphery. The 120 click bezel with complete lume is as smooth as George Clooney sipping a Nespresso (even smoother!) while turning it proves no problem whatsoever.

DLC variation

The diamond tipped second hand is a nice element with the Newmark logo residing under 12. There’s a printed minute track running around the edge with an impressive lume, namely Swiss Super-LumiNova® Grade X1.

This is believed to have a noticeable improvement of around 60% in only two hours, in contrast to the regular grade stuff. And who are we to argue, when flexing this at the late night office presentation or spooktacular Halloween party.

Enjoy some great tapering with screw pins and a polished case that looks far more superior to its cost while enhancing the overall durability of the watch. With a milled clasp and not one but three micro adjustments on board, it should satisfy the fussiest of timekeepers with wrists between 6-8 inches.

Black dial variation

There’s double domed sapphire crystal making it a robust little number and the way light catches the dial making it dance quicker than Fred Astaire. Like Toploader, you’ll soon be Dancing In The Moonlight if you buy a watch of this nature.

Moving on (as such) to the screw down caseback and this is again respectable in its presentation. Look, it might not have the Oscars type glitz of others nor endowed with Poseidon and his trident, like the Omega Ploprof Summer Blue. Nonetheless, you will discover around the edge;

Sapphire Crystal
Automatic
24 Jewels
WR 200M
Shock Protected
All Stainless Steel

The etched image of a skin slash scuba diver is a nice touch giving it a Jacques Cousteau type feel.

Did You Know…

Cousteau brought diving to the forefront, and in 1943, alongside Emilie Gagnan, was responsible for conducting tests of the Aqua Lung.

As a result, dive enthusiasts went as crazy as the next execution of the Moonswatch (We are currently on Mission To Earth Phase at the time of writing). This gave divers the opportunity to plunge without the aid of a source of oxygen leading to them being snapped up by not only French but amateur divers across the US.

We like the crown which is perfectly sized on the Newmark 71 Sports and features a hallmarked logo on it with easy operation. From the silky smooth bezel action and retro inspiration to the gradient blue dial (not forgetting black and DLC versions), it is a winner on many horological fronts, giving access to a brand that may not have the legacy of say, Vacheron Constantin or Audemars Piguet.

Yet, they are ticking along nicely, through their military and aviation history, revamped vintage style watches, not to mention their value for money proposal.

Official Specs

Case Diameter	38mm
Case Thickness	13mm
Bezel	60 Minute Unidirectional
Dial Colour	Matt black, blue and DLC
Water Resistance	200 metres (20ATM)
Type of Crown	Screw Down
Case Material	316L Stainless Steel
Lug Width	20mm
Hands	Polished Steel
Crystal	Double Domed Sapphire
Lug to Lug	47mm
SuperLuminova	GL X1-C3

Miyota 9039 Movement

Super slim and as agile as a leopard roaming the Serengeti, the performance is up there in terms of what you get inside the Newmark 71 Sports.

Oh it’s revving along alright and with stealth like accuracy, this calibre has been seen in many terrific timepieces including Alkin’s “Model 2” White Dial and Baltic Aquascaphe. A little bit like Tyson Fury, it is a bit of a powerhouse to say the least, utilising its slender aesthetics to the fullest.

With many benefits to the Miyota 9039 like an Etachron system, first rate anti-shock resistance and unidirectional winding, it can certainly take on the brunt of everyday wear and those all important knocks.

Official Specs

Movement Brand	Miyota
Movement Country of Origin	Japan
Type Of Movement	Automatic
Number Of Jewels	24
Vph	28,800
Hand Winding	Yes
Hacking Function	Yes
Power Reserve	42 hours
Height	3.9mm
Accuracy	-10/+30s per day

Where Can You Buy A Newmark 71 Sports?

If you are in the market for a vintage sporty diver with a contemporary twist, you can buy this directly from their site here.

Priced at well under £5000 and less than £500, the Newmark 71 Sports will set you back £475, giving excellent value for money as an entry-level piece.

What’s Our View?

With more flexibility than Roger Federer in his heyday, on Centre Court at Wimbledon, the brand showcases a rich history, with deep links to RAF Shawbury, true aviation spirit and the final piece of the timekeeping puzzle…excellent value

Oh yes, we could spend time, waxing lyrical about other brands at this level, or slightly below the £475 mark, attaining clamour within the community. We’re looking at you San Martin, Bulova, Citizen and watches like a Seiko Presage.

But, dear horophiles, this is not to be confused with Grand Seiko, where one of the cheapest mechanical numbers from the Japanese giant is the SBGW231, priced at £4,150 (as of November 2024).

As for the Newmark 71 Sports, well let’s put it like this. Appearances can be deceptive. If you are looking to buy a watch that can take a hit as much as the Incredible Hulk, wrist roll with the punches and display a vintage allure less than £500, you’d be hard pressed to find better.

Conclusion

All in all, we are most definitely down with the 70s vibes that puts Studio 54, The Eagles and the Aston Martin DBS V8 GTP Muncher to shame. Mind you, we are champing at the bit to give our final thoughts.

On the other hand, some may be put off by the no date function, but some of the most iconic pieces have this particular element, lying within. The gradient effect, particularly on the blue dial is a sure fire GADA piece for the office, special occasion or any lavish affair.

That’s if your budget, or wallet for that matter does not stretch to the top Swiss luxury watch brands. We get it. However, with the resurgence and growing popularity of British watchmaking as seen by Studio Underd0g, aficionados are looking for new and exciting purchasing routes than sat round a mahogany table, sporting the usual fare of luxury novelties

Enthusiasts are going back to basics with a no nonsense approach that sees a growing interest in alternative brands and models, taking the buy what you love method, wearing their heart on their sleeves.

Or should that be wrists?

Already received your bonus? Looking to buy a blue dial watch like a classic Omega Seamaster 300M? Perhaps you want to sell a Rolex fast to level up your wrist game?

Then maybe it’s about time to contact ChronoHunter. Our distinctive platform allows customers to receive not one but multiple offers from our distinguished selection of the best luxury watch retailers. Procured based on the finest business credentials and trading history, this means you will save both time and money in your next purchase or sale.

Whether new to the hobby, want to start a collection or looking for an heirloom, birth year, wedding or graduation piece, download our dedicated app today or simply enter the details of the watch via our simple online form. Our team of experts are on hand to guide you through the entire process from beginning to end.

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Images (unless stated otherwise) Newmark

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