While Watch Report has covered a series of
Victorinox watches we have yet to review any of their mechanical chronographs and this is an omission we were excited to remedy when Victorinox announced new additions to the Infantry Vintage line. Fortunately, Victorinox was willing to loan us one of their newest models, the Infantry Vintage Mechanical Chronograph. With the exception of a date function, the chronograph is likely one of the most popular complications and after spending some time with the Infantry Vintage, we can certainly understand why. Chronographs are both fun and functional, part mechanical marvel, part practical tool. Has Victorinox succeeded in porting that analog enjoyment directly to our wrists with this new addition to the Infantry Vintage line? In a word, yes.
Archer Watches is a tiny independent watch brand located in St.Thomas, Ontario, Canada. Archer Watches is a one man operation, its staff consisting solely of a watchmaker named Al Jenskey. I had the pleasure of meeting Al at a Timezone dinner this past October and not only did I enjoy the opportunity to see much of the Archer range in person, but also to experience Al’s passion for watches and watchmaking. Al assembles all of the Archer models, which range from aviators and more dressy designs, by hand in his workshop. The Sterling fits into the casual space between dressy and sport and is a sound example of the marine officer style which offers excellent legibility and refined classic detailing.
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As even a casual reader of Watch Report, you likely know that we have reviewed quite a few of the options and brands in the very popular independent dive watch scene. While we always strive to bring you interesting and original watches many of the offerings in the indie dive watch market are heavily derivative of other brands or they are simply too boring to write about. This is exactly what I thought when I first saw a photo of the Armida A1 diver, it looked like a straightforward pseudo-clone of the Marathon SAR series and, in all honesty, I wrote it off as looking bland and unimaginative. In the weeks preceding that snap judgement I saw more photos and read the opinions of the first few owners, all of whom seemed to be in love with this chunky, military inspired dive watch with is almost laughably domed crystal. Armida was kind enough to put a loaner A1 in the mail and after about ten minutes with it on wrist, I understood why owners were so happy to have one for themselves. While the styling may be derivative, the effect and wrist presence of the Armida A1 is anything but.
- 45 x 19mm
- 50mm L2L
- 24mm Lugs
- ETA 2824-2 Automatic movement
- Double domed sapphire crystal with AR
- 120 click lumed bezel
- Auto HEV
- 1000m/3300ft WR
In our continued effort to find thin and versatile sport watches we were quite happy to see that the recently refreshed Tag Heuer Aquaracer line up still had a 300m model that retained the classic good looks and modest sizing seen on Tag Heuer’s of the past. With much of the spotlight going to the flashy new 500m Aquaracer models, the WAN2110 300m models seem to be blending into the background given their more reserved and dressy styling. After spending the better part of a month with the WAN2110, I can say that while this watch is understated, it should not be ignored.
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It feels like a long time since we previewed the new Halios Laguna back in January but low and behold it is now available for public consumption and Halios’ third watch is a unique take on the retro diver archetype. You may remember the Holotype and the Bluering that we’ve reviewed in the past and if so you will recall we were very impressed by the attention to detail, fit and finish, and style of Halios’ two previous models. Not only is the new Laguna an excellent looking watch but it also has been designed with all of Halios’ knowledge gained after the first two models launched. This new model shows Halios’ maturity, an excellent understanding of their market and a passion for making interesting and exciting sport watches. The new Halios Laguna is slated as a sports watch and has a series of well engineered features and is an excellent snap shot of Halios’ future.
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There is a saying that goes something like, “If you’re going to buy quartz, you might as well make it a good quartz”. The sentiment is true as you can get an automatic for very little these days, especially when you consider the technology and innovated that is represented by even an entry level mechanical movement. With all the options available to the modern and savvy buyer, why is anyone buying quartz? Isn’t it just a cheap and bland technology that gained prominence in the 80′s? Citizen would like to respectfully disagree and today we enter the Promaster PMX56-2811 as evidence that quartz is not just for Casio calculator watches. The 2811 is a classically sized watch that is packed full of modern technology and innovative design.
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Magrette watches hail from New Zealand under the direction of a man named Dion. Dion McAsey has been making Magrette watches for a few years and has taken the time develop an interesting brand and a one that has found a home among dive watch collectors thanks to its sporty styling and personal touches. Magrette watches are a mix of of styling cues found in many contempt Italian style divers like Panerai and Anonimo but with some distinctly New Zealand charm and philosophy added in. The Regattare Moana Pacific PVD is a limited edition creation from Magrette that is an example of what the brand has to offer and what makes them special.
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Victorinox Swiss Army, I have known this brand since I was very young. My Grandmother brought my brothers and I personalized swiss army knives from Victorinox after spending some time in central europe and while I eventually lost that beautiful knife I have another today that is taken out of my desk daily to help with odd jobs. I suppose if I’m honest, I always saw Victorinox as a knife company that made department store quality watches as they look good in a package with a utility knife. After spending some time with the titanium Dive Master 500 I have come to the conclusion that I was very much misinformed and have overlooked some quality timepieces from a well known and trusted brand. The Dive Master 500m has stats that would place in firmly in the field of my attention but after getting some wrist time is it worthy to carry the same name as the knives?
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It is a rare day that a watch comes in that we can easily describe as being “unique” in the manner in which it displays the time. At Watch Report we generally see a lot of 3 handed dive watches, quartz chronographs and multifunctions digitals, none of them being especially unique when it comes to physically pointing out the time. Thanks to Phosphor, who you all likely know well for their work with E-Ink based watches, we can safely claim we have something rather original to show you today. The Phosphor Appear is a quartz watch with a bejewelled and somewhat mechanical way of showing you the current time. Phosphor has really created something different in the Appear so lets take a closer look:
- 44 x 15.5mm
- 49.5mm (lug to lug)
- 22mm Lugs
- Dial adorned with Swarovski crystals
- M3D 7 Segment physical display
- 50m WR
- Black leather strap
- MSRP: $199
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The watch community is alive with a resurgence of retro style divers and mirco-brands bringing 60′s styled divers to the masses. If classic styled watches are not your taste, you may be interested in the Harbormaster series from Stolas Watches. A self proclaimed “draconian” timepiece, Stolas has made a very modern and flashy diver with Harbormaster line. Stolas is an Alabama based company which in addition to the Genoa, make the Spinnaker and Gennaker. The Genoa is the premium model from Stolas and represents a big jump in price over their other pieces, for the increased price you get a more unique style and a more complete kit.
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While Watch Report has covered a series of Victorinox watches we have yet to review any of their mechanical chronographs and this is an omission we were excited to remedy when Victorinox announced new additions to the Infantry Vintage line. Fortunately, Victorinox was willing to loan us one of their newest models, the Infantry Vintage Mechanical Chronograph. With the exception of a date function, the chronograph is likely one of the most popular complications and after spending some time with the Infantry Vintage, we can certainly understand why. Chronographs are both fun and functional, part mechanical marvel, part practical tool. Has Victorinox succeeded in porting that analog enjoyment directly to our wrists with this new addition to the Infantry Vintage line? In a word, yes.
