In the ever-expanding world of independent watchmaking, Bravur has emerged as a compelling voice for design-driven horology with a distinctly Scandinavian edge. Founded in Sweden by industrial designers Magnus Äppelryd and Johan Sahlin, the brand has built its identity around minimalist elegance, meticulous detailing, and a commitment to crafting small-batch, high-quality timepieces. Unlike mass-produced watches, every Bravur piece is hand-built in the brand’s own atelier in Båstad, Sweden—a rarity that speaks volumes about their dedication to quality and authenticity.
In recent years, Bravur has notably shifted its creative direction—from crafting clean, minimalist timepieces like the BW003, which I reviewed some years ago, to designing watches deeply inspired by the rich history of cycling and its legendary teams. This evolution wasn’t driven by market trends, but by personal passion. As one of the brand’s co-founders shared with me, the inspiration for Bravur’s cycling-themed watches stems from a lifelong love of the sport. Both founders have been avid cyclists for over 30 years and enthusiastic followers of professional racing. Given that deep connection, it was only a matter of time before their two passions—watchmaking and cycling—naturally converged. The result is a collection of timepieces that doesn’t just celebrate the sport’s golden age, but also reflects the personal journey and ethos behind the brand itself.
Today, we turn our attention to one of Bravur’s most character-rich offerings: the Team Heritage STR, a watch that pays homage to the golden age of European cycling. More than just a stylistic exercise, this model draws inspiration from the legendary French cycling team St. Raphaël. Active in the late 1950s and early 1960s, St. Raphaël was a pioneering force in the professional peloton—both athletically and commercially. Sponsored by the French aperitif brand of the same name, it was among the first teams to fully embrace corporate sponsorship, a move that helped define the structure of modern competitive cycling. Under the leadership of Raphaël Géminiani, and with icons such as Jacques Anquetil—the first rider to win the Tour de France five times—the team became renowned for its tactical precision, particularly in time trials. Though the team disbanded in 1964, its legacy remains a cornerstone in the evolution of the sport.
The Bravur Team Heritage STR channels this legacy through a tasteful retro color palette, balanced case proportions, and a Swiss mechanical movement that ensures both performance and durability. It is a timepiece that celebrates not only mechanical finesse, but also the spirit of endurance, innovation, and sportsmanship. In this review, we’ll delve into the watch’s design, construction, and wearability—examining how Bravur has captured the soul of an era while delivering a thoroughly modern wristwatch.
At first glance, the large green cardboard box didn’t seem particularly special—just another oversized package. But upon opening it, I was genuinely impressed. Inside, the watch was neatly packed in a leather bicycle handlebar bag, which doubles as a watch roll capable of holding three watches. This clever, dual-purpose packaging really stood out to me—I appreciate when brands put thought into creating something both functional and sustainable. As for the watch itself, it made a strong first impression. It was actually smaller than I expected, but in a very positive way. The design embraces a rugged, tool-watch aesthetic, yet the more compact size keeps it sporty, wearable, and perfectly suited for cycling. Overall, a great balance of style, function, and thoughtful design.
The case of the Team Heritage STR immediately sets the tone for the watch’s character. Measuring 37mm in diameter, 44.6mm lug-to-lug, and 11.4mm thick, it’s compact by today’s standards — but intentionally so. This sizing pays tribute to the proportions of vintage timepieces. It wears beautifully on the wrist: substantial enough to feel present, yet never overwhelming.
The real secret of the Team Heritage collection lies in its intricate yet subtly executed 37mm case, paired with that modest lug-to-lug span. The case finishing on the stainless-steel variants is among the most sophisticated I’ve encountered at this price point. It strikes a refined balance of sporty elegance, borrowing from classic sports watch cues like a broad brushed bezel and semi-rounded lugs with flat tops — but still manages to carve out a unique identity. Polished bevels create fluid transitions, stepping down from the brushed bezel to a satin-finished flat surface, then breaking once more into polished accents that lead to what I consider the highlight of the design: the lugs. Sharing the satin finish of the case, the lugs are dual-purpose — designed to contour naturally to the wrist in motion, while also keeping the lug-to-lug distance in check for better comfort. This avoids the pitfall many otherwise well-designed sports watches fall into by going too long on the wrist.
Around back, the screw-down caseback adds a thoughtful detail: an engraving of a cycling cap and a limited-edition number, emphasizing Bravur’s small-batch ethos. The watch is rated to 10 ATM (100 meters) of water resistance — more than enough for rain, sweat, or even a swim, though you probably won’t take it through triathlon transitions. At 3 o’clock, there’s a signed screw-in crown. And topping it all off is a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment, offering a soft edge distortion reminiscent of vintage hesalite — but with all the modern durability. It’s a subtle detail, but one that highlights Bravur’s thoughtful balance between heritage design and contemporary functionalit
If the case whispers “vintage,” the dial sings it. This red, white, and blue bullseye pattern of the new colorway immediately stands out to me. The watch has a distinctly retro flair and the convex execution of the red ring adds a really fun three-dimensional element to the dial, something emphasized by the applied hour indexes at the cardinal positions. The rectangular hands feature a slight taper and are both half polished/half brushed and filled with Super-LumiNova, just like the applied hour indices at 3, 6, 9, and 12. The lume performs impressively, glowing brightly for about an hour and a half — more than sufficient for most situations. The seconds hand adds a subtle touch of contrast, finished in black with a small blue accent on the counterweight.
What’s perhaps most impressive is the watch’s restraint. There’s no date window to clutter the dial — just Bravur’s logo at 12 and cycling cap at 6 with ”Swedish Soul, Swiss Heart” by the rim of the dial. It’s a clean, cohesive layout that communicates elegance and purpose. This is a watch that feels emotional. It doesn’t just tell time — it tells a story, whether you’re wearing it at a café stop, or while watching the Strade Bianche on a rainy Sunday morning.
Beneath the solid caseback beats the Sellita SW200-1, a Swiss-made automatic movement that has become a go-to for independent brands looking for reliability, serviceability, and performance. This is a 26-jewel, 28,800 bph movement, with a power reserve of 38 hours. It’s hacking and hand-winding, with a bidirectional rotor, and is known to be tough as nails. For a watch like the STR — which might see some active use — it’s the right choice.
Bravur goes beyond just dropping in a stock movement, though. Every Team Heritage watch is assembled, tested, and regulated in Bravur’s workshop in Båstad, Sweden. They make micro-adjustments to each movement and carefully inspect each unit, offering a level of attention you don’t often find in this price range. And though this model doesn’t have a display back, there’s something charming about that. It adds to the tool-like, purposeful feel of the watch. It’s a bit like a lugged steel frame with a pantographed crank — beautiful, but meant to be ridden.
Bravur offers several strap options for the Team Heritage STR, each selected to complement the watch’s design and enhance wearability. My particular example came on a black FKM rubber strap — a more modern and durable choice, ideal for cycling or wearing in hot, humid conditions. It features quick-release spring bars, allowing for easy strap changes without the need for tools. The textured pattern on the strap subtly echoes the look of bicycle grips, adding a thoughtful design touch. It’s also notably supple and exceptionally comfortable on the wrist. Other available options include a grey rubber strap, a perforated leather strap, and a Milanese mesh bracelet. It’s worth mentioning that Bravur’s lug width of 20mm means the STR is compatible with a vast range of aftermarket options. NATO straps, vintage leather, suede — the watch is versatile enough to wear all of them convincingly.
Wearing the Bravur Team Heritage STR is like slipping into a Merino wool jersey and clipping into toe cages on a vintage steel racer. It connects you with the aesthetic and ethos of cycling’s most evocative moments, while giving you a watch that’s modern, well-built, and legitimately wearable every day. It’s not a “cycling smartwatch” with sensors and alerts. It doesn’t need to be. Instead, the STR leans into something more timeless — the feeling of freedom on two wheels, the crackle of gravel under tires, the rush of wind through cypress trees. For around $1,300€, you’re getting a limited-edition, Swiss movement, sapphire crystal, and an authentic narrative. In a world flooded with cookie-cutter microbrand divers and “homage” watches, the STR stands apart by having its own identity — one that’s poetic, precise, and full of soul. If you’re a cyclist, you’ll appreciate the tribute. If you’re just someone who values thoughtful design, excellent proportions, and indie watchmaking with heart — the STR delivers.
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