FounderFest: Our Serica Ref. 7505 “Sunburst” brings a guitar body dial to a compact field watch
Russell SheldrakeFew guitar finishes have become as iconic as the classic sunburst. Spend enough time around guitars, and you start to realise that it’s recognised almost instinctively. The legendary colourway has travelled across decades of music, appearing onstage, offstage, passed between players, collecting stories with every scratch, dent and worn-down edge. There is something enduring about that warm fade from amber into deep brown. It feels familiar, timeless, and full of character. We felt almost duty-bound to do that famous finish justice in this collaboration with Serica, bringing its unmistakable warmth to the dial of the French brand’s Ref. 7505.
But why marry one of music’s most iconic design signatures with a 35mm Serica? For us, this was a partnership made in heaven. You have one of the most recognisable finishes ever applied to a guitar meeting a brand that puts some of the best value tool watches into every situation imaginable, through its endlessly diverse clientele.
Serica has been known for its incredibly functional dials, to the point where they are almost sparse, devoid of any branding whatsoever. But you do not need a brand name to know that you are looking at a Serica because of its effortless use of heavy lume plots, high contrast, and practical design. It says Serica without saying it, in much the same way that the outline and finish of a classic sunburst guitar are unmistakable. From the back of a venue, you know exactly what you are looking at before a single note has even been played.
Serica has never really been known for its experimentation with colour, and this subtle yet effective dial tone feels like a fitting shift that still sits comfortably inside the brand’s design codes. And, of course, you still get everything that makes the Ref. 7505 one of the best value propositions on the market today: 200 metres of water resistance, the chronometer-certified Soprod M100 movement that offers 42 hours of power reserve, and the vintage-style Bonklip bracelet with its Safe-Lock clasp that offers an incredible amount of adjustability while on the wrist.
The rich enamel dial on this new collaboration brings together so many elements of what we love about microbrands. The value that you get from a piece like this, along with the freedom to find inspiration in unexpected places and make it work for a watch that, even if you had never associated the finish with generations of great instruments, you would still appreciate for its captivating look.
The 35mm case is smaller than many would automatically go for, almost vintage in its dimensions. Yet, I would argue that the proportions of this model make it sit so well on the wrist that it can feel like an extension of your wrist. The best guitars often share that quality. Once they are in your hands, they seem to disappear, leaving only the connection between player and instrument. This Serica has that same sense of natural familiarity.
As Serica has always taken a practical approach to its dial layouts, we didn’t want to mess with that here. The Sunburst takes the Ref. 7505’s Tuxedo dial layout, strips away everything you don’t need, and replaces the hour markers with heavily chamfered applied nipple indices that echo the hardware of a well-worn guitar fretboard.
These are paired with the classic broad, arrowhead hour hand and a sharp sword minute hand, ensuring perfect legibility. Doubling down on this practicality, the automatic Soprod M100 calibre has been proven tough enough to withstand the most punishing scenarios while remaining small enough to fit inside this mid-sized case. A wonderful combination of practicality, the flair of this enamel dial, and 200m water resistance.
Great guitars have always earned their place through years of use; some even make it into the upper echelons of rock and roll halls of fame. They are built to be played hard, knocked about and relied upon, collecting character as they go, and on occasion, even inspiring generations afterwards.
We wanted this watch to capture that same spirit. A solid tool watch with the warmth and personality of a classic sunburst finish, ready for whatever lies ahead and capable of looking every bit as good on stage, in the field, or, at the very least, feeling like you’re carrying some of that iconic guitar history on your wrist.
Serica Ref. 7505 “Sunburst” Time+Tide Studio Edition pricing and availability
The Serica Ref. 7505 “Sunburst” Time+Tide Studio Edition will be available at FounderFest from September 19, then globally online at the Time+Tide Shop during a 24hr window beginning on September 22. Following that, this Studio Edition will be available exclusively at the Time+Tide Studios in London, Melbourne, and New York. Price: £1,275 (incl. VAT) / US$1,625 / AU$2,195 (incl. GST) / €1,190 (excl. VAT)
| Brand | Serica |
| Model | Ref. 7505 “Sunburst” Time+Tide Studio Edition |
| Reference | 7505-T+T |
| Case Dimensions | 35mm (D) × 9.6mm (T) × 41.5mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | 316L stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 200 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Double-domed sapphire crystal |
| Dial | Two-tone brown and black sunburst enamel dial with applied polished indexes |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Bracelet | Stainless-steel Bonklip bracelet with Serica patented Safe-Lock clasp |
| Movement | Soprod M100 automatic, chronometer-certified |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Available beginning September 19 at FounderFest US/UK/AU Available online globally on September 22 for 24 hours only, before becoming an in-store exclusive across Time+Tide’s Discovery Studios |
| Price | £1,275 (incl. VAT) / US$1,625 / AU$2,195 (incl. GST) / €1,190 (excl. VAT) |