Scotland is known for many things – batter, haggis, battered haggis – but watchmaking is not one of them. That might be about to change, at least if one independent watchmaker has anything to do with it. Since the launch of their now sold-out Model 1, anOrdain have been exciting collectors with the prospect of a Scottish watch brand and now, with the release of the Model 2, the payoff is here.
The micro-brand’s take on the classic field watch, the Model 2 is a watch fit for the rugged Scottish landscape, able to shrug off a tumble from the top of Ben Nevis. It’s fine, it’s not that steep. It’s a lot more rugged than the Model 1 and somehow more elegant too, with pared back dials in their signature vitreous enamel.
Those dials are the epicentre of anOrdain’s identity. They use traditional techniques to create an impressive range of colour combinations, each with the kind of depth and feel you don’t normally see at this level. They take incredible skill to make and one mistake means that particular dial gets consigned to the scrap heap.
Still, it’s worth all the hassle. The six different dials will never degrade and the colours – particularly the Torr Blue and Moss Green – are fantastic. Sure their 36mm stainless steel cases are smaller than you might want, but it harks back to their vintage field watch ancestors perfectly.
Inside each is a Sellita SW-210-1 movement protected by an Incabloc shock absorber, helping it survive the highlands all the better. In fact, anOrdain are so confident of their long-lasting survivability that the Model 2 has a five year warranty. That’s always nice to know, especially if the watch does take that aforementioned mountainside tumble becomes a reality.
There’s a six-week waiting list at present, but if you can cope with that the Model 2 is available for just £950.
Price & Specs:
Model Name: anOrdain Model 2
Ref: AFP-TTR-3X
Case/Dial: 36mm diameter x 11mm thickness, brushed, vitreous enamel on copper dial
Movement: Sellita SW-210-1 with Incabloc shock protection
Water Resistance: 50m (5 bar)
Strap: Bovine leather or bracelet
Price: £950
More details at anordain.com
Another great review by Sam (anOrdain Model 2). A lovely simplistically styled watch that ticks many boxes, but upon viewing the link to their website, I couldn’t actually find the version that was the shown in the review’s main photo (very cool looking watch with what I can best describe as a heather coloured dial), nor could I find a watch at the cost detailed at £950, everything that I saw was listed as above £2k. I’m not saying that £2k is overpriced, but is more than double the cost outlined.
Overall a nice looking watch, but if I was in the market to spend £2k, I would personally be looking at other brands I’m afraid.