Elysee Graf Berghe von Trips Hemmersbach Watch Review

One of the great things about reviewing watches is the ability to take a look at brands you have never heard of, or are not too familiar with. That would be the exact case with the Elysee Brand and the Hemmersbach model I am reviewing today. When there is not enough information to go off, I don’t really have any preconceived ideas about the watch, which means I get to really get a true first look once the piece arrives. And in this case, I was surprised by how nice the Hemmersbach actually is.

The Elysee Graf Berghe von Trips Hemmersbach is a 46mm pilot watch, with large Arabic numerals, cathedral style hands, large diamond crown and a Miyota 8215 automatic movement. The entire Elysee watch collection is listed as made in Germany. Now, I honestly do not know how much of the watch is made in Germany, or outsourced elsewhere and just assembled in Germany, but at the price point of $380 USD (approximate), I don’t feel that’s a real point of contention.  Let’s take a look at the full specifications-

Stainless steel satin finished

10 ATM Water resistance

Dimension Diameter:  46 mm

Crown:  8.5 mm diameter

Height:  13 mm

Lug size: 24mm

Lug to lug (length) 55mm

Weight: 94.6 grams

Movement: Citizen / Miyota 8215 automatic

Luminous hands / markers

Transparent caseback

Lens: Sapphire lens nonreflective

Leather Strap with pin buckle

Direct price $380 USD(approximate conversion)

The Hemmersbach arrived in a massive presentation box. I mean massive. When the watch was delivered, I honestly thought there were two watches in the carrier box. Unfortunately, it was just one. The size of the box, if you are familiar, can be compared to some Oris dive watch boxes, that when you open up has the watch in the divers Helmet.  No divers helmet here, obviously, but just as big of a box. It also has a tray underneath the main box that holds your warranty cards and strap tool.

With a case of 46mm and a very large diamond crown, and a length of 55mm, it is an imposing watch. But, that is nothing really new for Pilot watches, especially in this style, as they are usually an oversized watch. The lugs do have a sharp downwards curve for them that somewhat helps with the long length of the case, as far as how it wears on the wrist. The entire case is brushed stainless steel and has a nice refined look to it. The crown is a push/pull, so you will have to be a little more careful around water with this one. It’s not a dive watch, so you’re not going to go swimming, etc. with it anyways, but you will have to make sure the crown is in from time to time.  Because of the Hemmersbach being so large, I noticed the crown popped out to first or second position sometimes when digging in my pockets for something.