This past week gave me the opportunity to try out a piece from an Australian microbrand, Erroyl -
This is the Oskar, which is part of Erroyl's Duke collection. Based in Canberra, Erroyl has been on the scene since 2014 and has become a firm favorite with small batch enthusiasts in a very small amount of time.
The Duke collection bears the Swiss Made mark and as such marks Erroyl's first foray into a Swiss assembled watch.
The Duke is a very pleasant watch to wear. The size is right in Goldilocks's wheelhouse. at 39 mm it is "just right". The size trend this year is without a doubt less is more, and the Duke bears this out. The fit was substantial without being overwhelming. And this understated approach was also evident in the bracelet.
Linked, and of stainless steel, Erroyl utilized an alternating finish of brushed and polished finishes. This is a very nice added touch and adds to the overall look of the watch. The bracelet itself is the perfect thickness. When pairing a watch with a bracelet, it is often too much or too little. In the case of the Duke, they have hit the perfect balance.
The bracelet uses pin and collar as opposed to screw heads. The general school of thought among the designers I have spoken with is that while screw secured links are more convenient for the "do-it-yourselfer", the pin and collar set-up tends to be more secure. And the bracelet is very, very secure.
Another thing that Erroyl got very right was the design and execution of the clasp -
The beautifully executed butterfly clasp worked beautifully and held securely.
The case is smooth and well finished -
Overall, an extremely well laid out and executed design.
One last thing about the "physical" beauty of the Oskar is the dial. Now to be brutally honest, I tried... and failed several times to adequately capture the image of the Oskar's dial. So full disclosure, this is an image from a much more talented photographer, courtesy of Erroyl -
The inner portion of the dial is a nicely subtle guilloche pattern in the inner position. The dial itself is clear and legible, striking in its simple layout.
It is just nice to look at ; )
But this is a review about a watch, and how it performed. Under the hood the Oskar sports ETA's 2824-2. Hours, minutes, seconds and date (at 6 o'clock). The time keeping was flawless, and the reserve time was as advertised.
Perhaps the best part about writing a blog, even one as small as this, is that you get to come across new things and experience them on a first hand basis. And this watch, the Oskar, it's a bit special. But I would also say that it is really not for everyone. The finish and quality of the Oskar is on par with anything that the Swatch group is offering in the same category. And it kicks the crap out of what Mido and Tissot are offering at the same price point (the current price being a special offer of $585.24 - the regular price being $688.66). And here is where it becomes difficult for watch buyers out there - because the watch business, by and large, is dependent upon sheep. People who feel that the name on the dial must be of a certain provenance, or it just isn't as good? This watch is not for those people. And if I'm honest? They don't deserve it.
But...
If you are looking for a great watch, at a very fair price, and want to wear something because YOU like it, not because some marketing department paid an "influencer" a shit-ton of money to wear in the hopes of "influencing" you? Well then, this might be for you.
Here are the pertinents, straight from Erroyl -
This is the Oskar, which is part of Erroyl's Duke collection. Based in Canberra, Erroyl has been on the scene since 2014 and has become a firm favorite with small batch enthusiasts in a very small amount of time.
The Duke collection bears the Swiss Made mark and as such marks Erroyl's first foray into a Swiss assembled watch.
The Duke is a very pleasant watch to wear. The size is right in Goldilocks's wheelhouse. at 39 mm it is "just right". The size trend this year is without a doubt less is more, and the Duke bears this out. The fit was substantial without being overwhelming. And this understated approach was also evident in the bracelet.
Linked, and of stainless steel, Erroyl utilized an alternating finish of brushed and polished finishes. This is a very nice added touch and adds to the overall look of the watch. The bracelet itself is the perfect thickness. When pairing a watch with a bracelet, it is often too much or too little. In the case of the Duke, they have hit the perfect balance.
The bracelet uses pin and collar as opposed to screw heads. The general school of thought among the designers I have spoken with is that while screw secured links are more convenient for the "do-it-yourselfer", the pin and collar set-up tends to be more secure. And the bracelet is very, very secure.
Another thing that Erroyl got very right was the design and execution of the clasp -
The beautifully executed butterfly clasp worked beautifully and held securely.
The case is smooth and well finished -
One last thing about the "physical" beauty of the Oskar is the dial. Now to be brutally honest, I tried... and failed several times to adequately capture the image of the Oskar's dial. So full disclosure, this is an image from a much more talented photographer, courtesy of Erroyl -
 |
| Courtesy of Erroyl |
It is just nice to look at ; )
But this is a review about a watch, and how it performed. Under the hood the Oskar sports ETA's 2824-2. Hours, minutes, seconds and date (at 6 o'clock). The time keeping was flawless, and the reserve time was as advertised.
Perhaps the best part about writing a blog, even one as small as this, is that you get to come across new things and experience them on a first hand basis. And this watch, the Oskar, it's a bit special. But I would also say that it is really not for everyone. The finish and quality of the Oskar is on par with anything that the Swatch group is offering in the same category. And it kicks the crap out of what Mido and Tissot are offering at the same price point (the current price being a special offer of $585.24 - the regular price being $688.66). And here is where it becomes difficult for watch buyers out there - because the watch business, by and large, is dependent upon sheep. People who feel that the name on the dial must be of a certain provenance, or it just isn't as good? This watch is not for those people. And if I'm honest? They don't deserve it.
But...
If you are looking for a great watch, at a very fair price, and want to wear something because YOU like it, not because some marketing department paid an "influencer" a shit-ton of money to wear in the hopes of "influencing" you? Well then, this might be for you.
Here are the pertinents, straight from Erroyl -
- MOVEMENT: Swiss ETA 2824-2 movement with date complication
- POWER RESERVE: More than 40 hours (manufacturer’s specifications)
- CASE: 316L Stainless Steel (surgical grade)
- CASE DIAMETER: 39mm (33.5mm dial opening)
- CASE THICKNESS: 11mm (excluding double domed sapphire crystal)
- CASE COLOUR: Stainless Steel
- CASE BACK: Exhibition
- LUG WIDTH: 20mm
- LUG TO LUG LENGTH: 44mm
- CRYSTAL: Double Domed Sapphire Crystal with AR coating underneath
- DIAL: White with partial sunray effect with BGW9 lume on the dial ring hour markers
- HANDS: Dauphine Hands with BGW9 lume
- BAND: 316L Stainless Steel Jubilee Bracelet
- BUCKLE: 316L Stainless Steel Customised 'ERROYL Logo' Buckle
- WATER RESISTANCE: 10ATM (100m)
- WEIGHT: 133 grams
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