SYE Cannonball GMT Columbus Owner Review : Shapely, conceptual and inventive

4.1

3

60

Published on 8/21/2025 - Last modified on 8/22/2025

An ode to mechanical Grand Touring

If you're looking for a watch with a strong personality, a refined look, and thoughtful functionality, then the SYE Cannonball GMT Columbus is definitely worth your attention. Forged in the spirit of the great automotive epics of the time, it embodies the DNA of the Cannonball name (a legendary illegal car race in the United States during the 1970s) and transposes this idea of freedom to your wrist. SYE has evolved from its mechanical and cartoonish DNA and offers a sophisticated iteration of its SYE MOT1ON: a refined case, reinforced crown, redesigned dial, and sophisticated GMT movement... a watch for lovers of travel and unique objects. ▶️ Overall Impression: Solid and Elegant On the wrist, the Cannonball GMT exudes a serious and balanced impression: its 40.5mm diameter and 12.8mm thickness ensure a strong presence without being bulky. The polished case reflects a bright light, while the lightness (100 grams according to the brand) of the model on a leather strap contrasts with its robust style, highlighting an elegant ergonomics designed for travel, not bulk. The watch is water-resistant to 50m (5 ATM), sufficient for everyday use and travel—without claiming to be suitable for intensive diving! This is a good thing because the idea is to ride towards the horizon, not plunge into the abyss ;-) ▶️ Refined case, elegant details Crafted from polished 316L stainless steel, the case surely evokes the lines of a vintage GT grille. The new bezel, lowered by a few tenths, accentuates the elegant integration of the leather into the case, for a lively look on the wrist. The more durable screw-down crown and redesigned crown protector are designed for everyday use and adjustment while traveling, without the risk of mishandling. ▶️ Columbus Dial: Sporty and Understated The smoky gray sunray "Columbus" dial captures the light with understated depth. The GMT display is provided by a vibrant orange central 24-hour hand (formed in a "Y" reminiscent of the logo), making it easy to read the second time zone. A 30-minute graduated flange elegantly distinguishes day from night. The date window at 3 o'clock respects the overall symmetry and allows for intuitive reading. The now larger hands are coated with Luminova BGW9, ensuring good nighttime readability and a sharp contrast with the gray background. The second hand stands out clearly, while the orange GMT hand creates a distinctive and useful visual highlight, adding to the watch's sporty signature. ▶️ Miyota 9075 GMT Caliber: Reliable and High-Performance At the heart of the Cannonball beats the Miyota 9075 caliber, an automatic GMT movement with independent one-hour time zone adjustment, stop-seconds, manual winding, and a 42-hour power reserve. Workshop-regulated for an accuracy of -10/+10 seconds per day, it also offers a very precise tactile feel to the crown. This compact and slim (4.92 mm) Japanese caliber is an interesting choice because it is a "true" GMT caliber, allowing the GMT hand to be directly adjusted in one-hour increments without adjusting the hour hand. An important subtlety more commonly seen on high-end models from Rolex or Omega. ▶️ The brand's iconic Fastback bracelet The watch features the SYE-patented Fastback system, which allows for easy strap changes in just a few simple steps. Comes with a high-quality French leather strap (Jean Rousseau), it is mounted on a secure and discreet double-push clasp. You can choose from one of the 14 available colors or switch back to a steel bracelet if desired. Everything has been designed for longevity of style and comfort. Note that a few months ago, the brand launched K-Tail end pieces, which allow you to mount a traditional bracelet on the watch without altering its unique design. A great way to customize your watch, even if the bracelet selection is very diverse. ▶️ Less than €1,000 for assured affordability The SYE Cannonball GMT is priced at €990, a reasonable price considering its GMT movement, its polished case, and its interchangeable strap system. Limited to 100 pieces for each of the two colors, each watch is numbered. Delivery within 24 hours, a 2-year warranty, and free shipping with taxes included for the European Union. ▶️ A watch for traveling in style The SYE Cannonball GMT Columbus doesn't follow trends; it embodies a confident stance: a blend of sporty chic, well-calibrated GMT functionality, and mechanical elegance. It's aimed at modern globetrotters, drivers of classic GTs, or urban aesthetes. Capable of crossing time zones and continents, it ultimately sets its own pace—one of travel, comfort, and character. At less than €1,000, the brand confirms its ambition to offer unique watches. Both SYE Cannonball GMT models are available immediately on the brand's website and at its retailers, including in France at Bleu Blanc Montres in Aix-en-Provence and Pause Montres in Toulouse. My "Mood Board" with this SYE Cannonball GMT Columbus: Movie: Smokey and the Bandit (1977) Music: Shut Up and Drive (Rihanna) Location: Route 66 (USA) All technical specifications below or on the brand's website. XS

Team Dialicious own this watch for less than 1 year

4.1

3.5

Emotion

4.5

Design

4.0

Accuracy

3.5

Comfort

4.0

Robustness

5.0

Value for money

Secondary

Significance in a collection

Main

Rarely

Frequency to be worn

Often

Pleasure

Main motivation for buying

Investment

Pros & Cons for this watch

True GMT caliber with the Miyota 9075

Successful variation of the MOT1ON

offbeat and elegant DNA of the brand

Rigidity of the leather strap

We would have liked the "K-Tail" to be offered

This review is the subjective opinion of a Dialicious community member and not of Achille SAS or its teams

Where to buy your SYE?

Buy directly on brand website

The order of partners is random and does not assume available stocks or sales prices of watches. Dialicious and Achille SAS are in no way responsible for the services of these partners but may potentially be paid by them to be displayed on this page.

Technical specifications of SYE Cannonball GMT Columbus

FUNCTIONS

Heures, Minutes, Secondes, Date, Fonction GMT

CASE

Shape

Ronde

Size

40.5 mm

Thickness

12.8 mm

Material

Acier 316L

Glass

Saphir avec anti-reflets

Back

Plein

Water resistance

5 ATM

DIAL

Color

Gris fumé

Finish

Soleillé

STRAP

Material

Cuir ou Acier

Buckle

Déployante

CALIBER

Type

Mécanique

Winding

Automatique

Reference

Miyota 9075

Base caliber

Miyota

Frequency

4 Hz

Power reserve

42 Hours

FEATURES

Réglage rapide de l'heure locale indépendamment de l'heure GMT

OTHER

En précommande à 890 € jusqu'au 20 janvier 2024

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