Priller
Well-known member
So part of the reason I was selling those Seikos was making room for a couple new watches that are missing from the watch box: I don't own a chronograph, and I've been looking for an integrated bracelet watch that's thin, light, and comfortable to wear. For the former, I've all but settled on an echo/neutra 1956 Chrono, one I chickened out on buying at the watch show but still want.
For the latter, I hunted around for a while to settle on an integrated bracelet option. Looked at a bunch of options (Nivada Grenchen F77, Yema Urban Traveller, Tissot PRX, Alpina Alpiner Extreme, Certina DS-7, Frederique Constant High Life, Autodromo Group B, Maen Manhattan and others), but none was just right. I also came super close to buying a Christopher Ward Twelve 40mm, but was put off by its ubiquity in the watch world, and I find the design a bit busy.
I settled on a Venezianico Arsenale Avventurina (say that three times quickly):
Almost every watch on the above list is heavily influenced by one watch or another, if not a downright homage/copy, and in this case the 'influence' is a Parmigiani Tonda PF, which could be worse. It's the Avventurina version, which is a traditional type of Venetian Murano glass with metalflake mixed in. In this case the dial is made of the glass, and is quite sparkly with varying brightness depending how deep the pieces are in the glass.
Venezianico is a brand with a mixed history, especially early days with a disastrous Kickstarter and some patchy QC for a while. Considering this cost just over half of the Christopher Ward, the finishing and quality is bang on for that price. The bevel on the bracelet edge isn't as crisp as the Twelve, but the bracelet is more complex and fully articulated. The only sore spot for me is the half-link needed to get the sizing right on my wrist is finished slightly differently, so stads out a bit if you're looking closely. Otherwise it's great. The movement is a Miyota 9039, which I also have in my Baltic Aquascaphe, and it's excellent. Runs about +2 per day on the wrist, is durable as anything, and allows the watch to be under 10mm thick.
For the latter, I hunted around for a while to settle on an integrated bracelet option. Looked at a bunch of options (Nivada Grenchen F77, Yema Urban Traveller, Tissot PRX, Alpina Alpiner Extreme, Certina DS-7, Frederique Constant High Life, Autodromo Group B, Maen Manhattan and others), but none was just right. I also came super close to buying a Christopher Ward Twelve 40mm, but was put off by its ubiquity in the watch world, and I find the design a bit busy.
I settled on a Venezianico Arsenale Avventurina (say that three times quickly):
Almost every watch on the above list is heavily influenced by one watch or another, if not a downright homage/copy, and in this case the 'influence' is a Parmigiani Tonda PF, which could be worse. It's the Avventurina version, which is a traditional type of Venetian Murano glass with metalflake mixed in. In this case the dial is made of the glass, and is quite sparkly with varying brightness depending how deep the pieces are in the glass.
Venezianico is a brand with a mixed history, especially early days with a disastrous Kickstarter and some patchy QC for a while. Considering this cost just over half of the Christopher Ward, the finishing and quality is bang on for that price. The bevel on the bracelet edge isn't as crisp as the Twelve, but the bracelet is more complex and fully articulated. The only sore spot for me is the half-link needed to get the sizing right on my wrist is finished slightly differently, so stads out a bit if you're looking closely. Otherwise it's great. The movement is a Miyota 9039, which I also have in my Baltic Aquascaphe, and it's excellent. Runs about +2 per day on the wrist, is durable as anything, and allows the watch to be under 10mm thick.
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