A Visceral Sucker Punch

From Nivrel -

Courtesy of Nivrel

Funny thing, I woke up this morning thinking back on "the one that got away".  Now by definition, I don't view that as a watch that I might have owned, but no longer do.  Rather, one that I nearly pulled the trigger on, and for whatever reason, never followed-through on. For me, Nivrel's Replique Manuelle is that watch.  

Nivrel has always made a larger, hand-wound watch, but the case styles, dial formats, etc. had shifted and morphed a bit over the years. And now, it seems that the universe has spun back in my favor!

Courtesy of Nivrel

So why this one?  Well, for a style that I think often gets short shrift, this is something a bit special.

Courtesy of Nivrel

The hands, described by Nivrel as  losange. For most similar watches (let's call it field-watch meets casual/formal - think Eberhard Traversetolo or Panerai's Radiomir).  Bottom line, while the other two cost a WHOLE LOT MORE, and the Radiomir can keep on ticking down to the deepest briny depths, I find it highly unlikely that you'll listen to your inner Steve Zissou and "go deep" wearing a watch with an alligator strap. 

Shamelessly borrowed from the World-Wide infoweb

A side note from myself, the Executive Publisher (Tallulah) and Editor in Chief (Sabrina), we are making a push here at Tempus Fugit to encourage watch brands, and watch consumers to consider alternatives to crocodile and alligator straps.  Stay tuned!

Okay, let's get back on topic!  Apart from the hands, the dial layout is truly appealing.  It is almost soothingly reassuring. The sub second is slightly concave, which adds a lovely bit of depth.

But above all else? The color! Described by Nivrel as "Cream", I LOVE IT!  It is just that extra bit of different that really makes it special.

Now ultimately, we are all susceptible to marketing, and horological peer pressure. But that's another really cool thing about Nivrel - it's not obvious. And in a world where we're all being told what to like, it's really great when you find something that YOU like. 

Now obviously this might not be in your wheelhouse, but it absolutely speaks to me!

Here are the pertinents -

Movement:

• ETA 6497-1 elaboré
• Blued screws, Côtes circulaires, 17 jewels, Swiss anchor escapement, 18.000 A/h, 46 hours power reserve when fully wound up​
• Swiss Made
• Functions: Indication of hours, minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock

Case:

• Material: Stainless steel 316L, satin-finished case with polished steel bezel
• Diameter: 44 mm
• Height: 13 mm
• Glass: Domed sapphire crystal
• Case back: Steel case back with mineral crystal
• Water resistant: 5 bar

Dial:

• Art: Cream-coloured dial
• Numerals: Arabic numerals and appliques with superluminova
• Hands: Losange-hands covered with superluminova

Strap:

• Material: Handmade vintage leather strap
• Color: Chocolate brown or black with white stitching
• Width: 22 mm
• Buckle: Signed buckle