Dezza

Oh dear, yet another watch that is out of the reach of normal (watch loving) people due to price, and a watch that is way more complicated than it needs to be, causing visual confusion when just wanting to know the time. From my limited knowledge of Arnold watches, they have in the past produced some lovely watches (but at silly prices), but like so many other makers, are falling into the territory of showing too much of the mechanics - not needed and not nice (from my perspective). Sorry Laura, a small observation on your comment that this new and improved super duper version is only £1100 more than an earlier version, leads me to believe that you are already falling into step with some other watch reviewers that cost is not an issue, - £1100 is actually the cost of many good watches that OT review regularly as a complete watch aimed at not only the normal man in the street, but also highly regarded by watch officianados. Perspective is everything. Don't get me wrong, I do love great watches and great design, and have some nice watches in my own collection, but none of them cost more than the average car.

Like Michael, I too like a mystery watch, and this is without doubt the best looking mystery watch that I have personally ever seen, I can't fault the design in any way, an absolute beauty. The tri colour stepped Lugs scream Art Deco (which I love), and the strap just adds to the overall allure. Ming watches are (generally) lovely looking and this is top tier in terms of aesthetic appeal. I would love to own this version, but sadly the price and limited availability will restrict this to a dream watch for me. I'm sure this will sell out in an instant of the window of opportunity opening tomorrow at 2:00 pm.

Great (& pretty exhaustive) review of 26 watches covering a wide price spectrum and similarly wide choice of styles from the more usual conservative designs to frankly absurd. I need to be careful what I state in terms of my preferences as something then pops up to make me eat my earlier words, to illustrate this point, I have previously outlined that I am not a lover of moon phase watches, and now this beauty has been revealed (the Loresum LS04 V2 – Eisenkiesel), wow, gorgeous. I guess if you are going to show a moon phase, then go for it in a big way and not slip it in under the radar, this watch does just that in a stunning manner. What more can I say, I love the use of rose gold (one of my favourite finishes), the shape of the case, the dial material, basically everything (with the exception of the strap), I would have to change that for one similar to that used on the Olto-8 Chrono Gate Burgundy, but in a colour that would complement and draw the eye to the tone of the veining of the dial, but that's my designers eye coming to the fore, but at that price, the cost of a replacement strap is a drop in the ocean, which is a tenuous link to my next admission, and a further large portion of humble pie! Having also previously stated that I don't particularly like dive watches, I have to admit that the Sherpa Ultradive Tuxedo is also gorgeous, (if that is the right term for a more chunky utility watch), but in a very different way, for me, it's less of a dive watch and more of a field watch / GADA watch that is easy of the eye, and easy to read, maybe it's because it doesn't have the more typical rotating external bezel of dive watches that makes this distinction to my way of thinking. Nothing to nit-pick here for me (well, the exception being the price). I have been looking for my perfect field watch, and this ticks (no pun intended), all of my personal boxes, (except the cost criteria). Guys, I'd me more than happy to field trial this watch (again, no pun intended) for a very extended period. These are my two stand-out pieces from a large list.

Cases, dials and straps all look lovely and all blend together beautifully (particularly the mid green version), but the visible mechanics really spoil things IMO, could almost be a Collab with JCB. As for the price, no further comment needed.

I personally don't think that pocket or fob watches are actually making any inroads into an actual resurgence to have any real impact of the continued wrist watch arena. As stated by Sam, these were the precursors to trench watches and then the accepted normal use of wristwatches due to practicality more than anything else. I think it's based on seeing these in TV or film recreations of classic Edwardian period dramas that may be the reason for current interest, so not something that will swamp the market (IMO). I personally like the Christopher Ward x Studio Underd0g Alliance 02, but the AP Royal pop doesn't hit the spot for me, (ceramic watches, a big no!) With the right choice of clothing, the Christopher Ward watch would look good (say, with a tweed jacket).

You can't question the expertise that goes into the making of this watch, but I do personally question the reason for it's inception. - I guess this relates to most pieces of art (well, modern art really, the classical pieces are more simple to answer), and art experts can argue for hours on how each artist may have been feeling at the time of each pieces creation, but that's all too deep for me. So, to this watch, taking all of the above into the equation, I still have to ask why, maybe it's 'because they can' due to their own expertise (which has been mentioned), but more the question on aesthetics, to me it's hideous, I can't get my head around why anyone would buy these (limited edition) pieces, surely not to actually wear, so down to wealthy collectors I guess, personally, I do wear each of the watches in my small collection, that is why they were created, to wear and to (as accurately as possible), indicate the time, whilst also looking attractive in their own right. - Am I missing something. Oh yes, museum pieces, or are horological experts going to argue about the feelings of the maker at the moment of it's makers initial idea for the watch. All beyond my thinking (and that is coming from a long career as an engineering designer!)

I do get the historic nature of Panerai watches (Italian naval supply etc), so the overstated size and crown protector makes sense technically (but not aesthetically), but I don't understand why their range continues to be aimed at the wannabe he-men. The Luminor (in whatever size) isn't an attractive watch, however, the Radomir does have a degree of pleasance (smaller size and no hideous crown protector). How many people that own dive watches actually use these for the purpose that they are designed for? - I'm guessing not many, but dive watches continue to be released on an almost weekly basis, I'm yet to see one that is attractive to the eye, so why buy / wear one around town. Panerai definitely doesn't do it for me.

As Laura has hinted, no matter how many times this frog may be kissed, it's never going to turn into a handsome prince. The best thing about this is the strap. A further link to the fairy story sector could be the beauty and the beast (the strap being the beauty - do I need to finish the rhyme!)

No surprise that I'm going to like this watch as my preference naturally leans towards dress watches (I'm obviously not averse to other watch styles when worn in the correct situation, but dress watches are my 'go-to' area). So, yet another beautiful offering from this company, very stylish having a more traditional vibe but with a touch of modernism. Very nice, not a lot else to say apart from, yes. I would wear it.