Sporting a completely lumed-out dial, an ETA automatic, 300 m of water resistance, and a 5-year warranty, there are a lot of things to like in the GX-Diver Full Lume. Let’s explore this after-hours superstar in more detail, shall we?
The Atlas is a fine looking watch, albeit one that lacks much in terms of personality. It’s not a bad watch – far from it, in fact – but it doesn’t bring anything new or exciting to the table. At $625, the Atlas is also priced on the high-side considering the NH35 movement used.
The Mythique is an interesting watch. Well made and fancily constructed, it’s clearly focused more on fashion than on function, but if that’s what you’re seeking, the Mythique may well be the addition to the wrist you’re looking for.
The SA2 collection, penned by Matthew Humphries, formerly the Chief Designer of Morgan Motor Company and someone with a resume centered around the auto (he is also the “MH” in MHD), is a watch that I love to show to people. It’s a great example of what makes a mechanical watch a genuine connection with time.
The Hellcat is Orion Watches fifth model and is a sensibly-sized Pilots watch. Powered by a Miyota 9015 automatic and sporting a gorgeous sunburst burgundy dial, the Hellcat is an awesome addition to anyone’s wrist.
Up next is another one from LIV, the 41 mm rectangular Rebel automatic. Also powered by a Sellita SW200-1, the Rebel auto is definitely an attention-getter.
This is my first taste of what LIV can do, but it’s a great one. Check out the LIV Watches GX1-A, which is my new favorite automatic microbrand watch.
D1 Milano is an Italian microbrand that is fashion-focused. The Skeleton, a 41.5mm dress watch, is a fine example of an affordable automatic watch with a gorgeous skeleton dial.
This version of the Longitude is big, bold, and blue. It’s a 42mm dress watch that ships with an attractive open heart and guilloche dial on blue-dyed crocodile-grain leather. It is a very attractive piece, albeit on the busy side of design, and is guaranteed to grab the attention of anyone in its vicinity.
The Lady Australis is a bedazzled 36mm automatic that features feminine accents that are eye-catching but not quite over the top. It’s an aesthetic hit (according to the ladies in my life that have seen it) thanks to the generous amount of jewels and the open heart display that stands prominently on the mother of pearl dial.
It’s been a long time since I last had a bejeweled ladies watch here on WYCA. The most recent is the Kenneth Cole KC2508, which I reviewed nearly five years ago. Thankfully, the Earnshaw is a better piece. Let’s take a closer look.
While I’ve seen Thomas Earnshaw on Amazon and other watch stores, I’ve never had one on my wrist or in front of my camera. Until today, that is. Thomas Earnshaw sent me this Precisto Bauer Fumée for review, and review it I have. Check it out!
Votum as a brand has an interesting legacy that spans the course of over five decades, and its new iteration promises to retain the personality and quality the brand has historically been known for. When they reached out to me approximately two months ago about reviewing one of their pieces, I was eager to accept.
The Marine Klassik is one of Stowa’s best-selling timepieces, and for good reason. A semi-customizable watch, the Marine Klassik 40 gives its owners choice with respect to which movement powers it. The base model, coming in at roughly $650 USD, is powered by an ETA 2824-2; opting to upgrade introduces both the top-finish ETA 2824-2 (+$130), a limited-edition model with an ETA 2892, or a hand-wound ETA 2804-2 (+300). All versions are made by hand and come with fine finishing- traits Stowa is known for.
Those looking for historical horological significance will likely overlook DuFa. Deutsche Uhrenfrabrik – aka, DuFa – is a brand that has flown underneath the radar, as they compete in a sea microbrands and Kickstarter success stories. In today’s environment, it’s difficult to differentiate yourself and there are a lot of up and coming indie brands out there. But DuFa stands out, and so do their watches.
Take, for example, the Aalto Regulator I have here. The German roots of its style are undeniable – clean shapes, a bold face, and minimal distractions – and the mechanical heartbeat, care of the Miyota 8217 automatic ticking within, is found in hundreds of watch models the world over. A blend of sophisticated style and practical engineering- very German.
In December, I had the unbelievable luxury of being able to pick any watch I wanted to photograph and review. So, I thought it’d be nice to check out another Frederique Constant and picked the FC-270SW4P5 Business Timer. This upscale quartz is packed with the usual trimmings (sappphire/etc.) and three subdials: day/date, and moonphase.