The newest Swiss-Made and Swiss-designed Dietrich watch is the DD-1 (“Dietrich System number one”), and it’s a very cool timepiece. The explanation I emphasize “Swiss Made” is as a result of the DD-1 makes use of an tailored (not the identical) case because the model’s fashionable OT (Dietrich Natural Time) watch assortment (aBlogtoWatch overview right here), which featured a Japanese-made Miyota computerized motion. On the time, the OT was designed to compete throughout the “SevenFriday product house,” which suggests a neat-looking watch with an reasonably priced worth made doable with a inexpensive mechanical motion. After the OT watch assortment, Dietrich began to make use of completely Swiss-made actions, and so, accordingly, the DD-1 homes a Swiss ETA 2824-2 computerized mechanism.
The DD-1 watch (debuted on aBlogtoWatch right here) follows the Dietrich TC (Time Companion, full aBlogtoWatch overview right here) as a particular trying, but sensible look ahead to every day put on. Prior (and different) Dietrich watches had been “too bizarre” to be simply thought of by most watch lovers as every day put on objects. Emmanuel Dietrich himself actually admits that, whereas he’s very pleased with merchandise just like the OT and the roughly $25,000 Dietrich Notion fashions, they don’t seem to be mainstream-friendly — which is what a model wants lately. Thus, the TC and DD watches are a fantastic hybrid between a snug and acquainted every day put on and Emmanuel Dietrich’s appreciation for contemporary “natural” design as utilized to the craft of constructing a standard timepiece.
On the wrist, the DD-1 is super-comfortable and upgrades resembling the total sapphire crystal over the bezel (as in comparison with the OT) are standout options. The watch wears smaller than it sounds and is 45mm-wide (48mm-wide with the screw-down crown), simply over 13mm-thick, and 46mm from lug to lug. The case is additional waterproof to 50 meters. The distinctive geometric hexagonal case is adopting a character of its personal, and its good to see consistency on this form between Dietrich fashions. That is necessary as a result of, because the model grows, it should profit from visible distinction that enables individuals to identify the timepiece in a crowd or at a distance.
One of many main causes the DD-1 case is snug is how the strap attaches to it. The strap slides by way of two fastened lugs comparable in fashion (a bit) to the way in which a NATO-style strap attaches to a case. The inventory strap that the DD-1 comes with is a black textile strap that appears nice in pictures, however I a lot want the rubber or leather-based straps Dietrich presents. That’s primarily as a result of textile straps are a bit on the stiff facet, and I like extra pliable strap supplies.
What Dietich did so nicely, for my part, is make the DD-1 watch dial seem novel but additionally historically legible. Whereas there are neat design parts resembling markers/indexes on completely different planes and a cool movement-style motif on the face, these parts don’t distract from core legibility. Dietrich labored nicely with contrasting colours and textures to make sure that the DD-1 is authentic in aesthetics however historically useful with regards to ease of studying the time. Such a effort is far easier-looking than it’s to execute in follow.
On of essentially the most attention-grabbing dial particulars is a characteristic not often seen on fashionable watches, that being bent fingers (the seconds hand specifically). The strategy of bending fingers is, under no circumstances, new, however it’s uncommon lately, and it’s attention-grabbing to see it right here versus a Patek Philippe or A. Lange & Sohne. Curved or bent fingers cannot solely make dials extra legible but additionally seem extra elegant and uniform. Right here Dietrich bends the seconds hand with a purpose to higher clear the varied planes of the multi-layer dial design.
Going again to the design of the dial, I discover it so cool how Dietrich blended a semi-skeletonized view of the motion together with his distinctive design fashion. To do that, he not solely wanted to check the motion to resolve what options make sense to show (such because the rubies, chatons, and a few small gears) but additionally how to take action in a signifies that didn’t make the dial find yourself being a busy and confused mess (as we are able to discover on numerous different watches). Those that admire superb particulars and design effort will, little question, get pleasure from taking a look at a dial resembling that of the DD-1 often.
The black PVD-coated metal case with the gold-ish and lume tones on the dial is only one aesthetic option to render the attraction of the DD-1’s fashion. Dietrich is actually planning on different colour variations of the DD-1 for the longer term, however this debut Dietrich System No. 1 is de facto nice-looking on this type for 2019.
The way forward for the Dietrich model shouldn’t be solely Swiss Made but additionally extra merchandise just like the DD-1 that mix the model’s distinctive DNA with sensible sporting and pricing. In a world the place $5,000 watches are routinely scrutinized for price, it’s refreshing when a Swiss model is ready to provide one thing distinctive for beneath $2,000. Coming in at a worth decrease than the TC (which has a full metallic bracelet), the Dietrich DD-1 arrives with the affordable retail worth of $1,850 USD. Be taught extra on the Dietrich web site right here.
Obligatory Knowledge
>Model: Dietrich
>Mannequin: DD-1 (Dietrich System No. 1) PVD Black Dial
>Worth: $1,850 USD
>Measurement: 45mm-wide, 13.2mm-thick, and 46mm lug-to-lug distance.
>When reviewer would personally put on it: Its a fantastic watch to point out off to different watch-lovers, because the Dietrich model isn’t that well-known but. Tends to be a crowd-pleaser when somebody will get to examine the small print and learns the worth.
>Good friend we’d suggest it to first: Fashionable design-lover thinking about an astute every day put on that additionally tells the world they’re a risk-taker and somebody extra thinking about tomorrow whereas additionally respecting yesterday.
>Greatest attribute of watch: A terrific center floor between the every day attraction of the Dietrich TC and the originality of the OT. Wonderful consideration to element, snug sporting expertise, and extremely legible dial.
>Worst attribute of watch: Inventory material strap isn’t essentially the most snug selection. Distinctive design shouldn’t be for everybody, though for followers of the look it additionally occurs to be fairly horologically sound as a timekeeping gadget.
