Herbelin Newport Chronograph Textile Watch Review (Giveaway)

Every three months we hold an Oracle Time Member’s giveaway, giving every Oracle Time member the opportunity to win a cool wristwatch. Our previous giveaway was the robust Formex Field but we’re kicking off 2025 with something a bit more refined and French in the Herbelin Newport Chronograph Textile.

Taking the Newport out of its box, the historic influences in the design are immediately apparent. With its broad, flat bezel and visible screws, it owes much to the integrated bracelet steel sports watch designs of the 70s and 80s. You know the type. However, the Newport does away with the chunky integrated lugs of watches from that era in favour of a more elegant round design. There’s still a hint of an industrial edge but it feels more like the porthole on a luxury liner than a factory rivet.

That air of French luxury is also felt in the finishing of the dial. The main portion of the display is sunray brushed to catch the light, which contrasts nicely with the snailing of the chronograph subdials. There’s also something very Tricolore in the colours, with blue and silver/white dominating but accented by a hint of red in the chronograph hands and strap stitching. Moving the watch under the light really allows you to appreciate each individual detail of the finish.

As to size, it’s 40.5mm of steel. That feels appropriate for the Newport Chronograph, thanks to its kind of hybrid design, part way between being a sports and dress watch. My comparison to an ocean liner was no coincidence either as Herbelin cite nautical influences in its design, which is underlined by its 100m water resistance rating. It’s no purebred diver but it will survive a quick spill overboard (let’s just hope you’re in warmer waters than where the Titanic ended up). On the wrist it feels good, the distinctive lugs offering good support for the strap.

It’s the strap that gives this model the official name Herbelin Newport Chronograph Textile. The standard Herbelin Newport Chronograph comes on a rubber strap, further emphasising the nautical connection. However, this edition is a little more refined, better suited to everyday wear in polite company and perfectly comfortable. Like the dial, it’s a combination of red, white and blue, building on that French connection. The watch is also assembled in France.

Below the dial, and protected on the other side by a solid caseback featuring a ship’s wheel motif, is the Ronda 5040 d. It’s a quartz movement, so it lacks a little of the prestige of its automatic counterparts elsewhere in the Newport collection. But with quartz comes improved reliability, better accuracy and ease of use, ideal for daily use. The pushers lack a bit of the satisfying resistance of a mechanical chronograph but that’s not a surprise.

In terms of price, the Herbelin Newport Chronograph Textile sits at the upper end of what you’d expect to pay for quartz at €700 (approx. £580). That’s largely because it’s a chronograph model as well with the additional complexity that brings. Plus, there’re the added detail of the multiple dial finishes and general attention to detail across the whole of the French watch. So, while it is quartz, there’s a lot of value to admire here if you enjoy this hybrid, multiple-influences style of design. Better yet, for one Oracle Time member, it will be free as part of the member’s giveaway.

To take part in the member’s giveaway simply sign up to become a member before March 31^st 2025. You’ll also enjoy a wide selection of additional benefits such as 10 gorgeous print editions of the magazine straight to your door, priority access to future collaboration watches and invites to exclusive events. In short, there’s more than enough in the membership to make it worthwhile; the chance of a free watch is just the cerise sur le gâteau.

More details at Herbelin.

​Oracle Time 

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