Armand Nicolet introduces the brand new M02-Four GMT assortment for 2019, and it’s a really competent (but in all probability underrated) costume look ahead to world vacationers. Armand Nicolet, normally, is underrated however I believe that’s beginning to change a bit. The model has been on my radar for the reason that early days of my watch-collecting expertise within the early 2000s. What the model by no means did in addition to others was transition right into a advertising and marketing model capable of current a gorgeous picture of the corporate and its merchandise to be able to drive prospects into shops. When the retail watch business began to shrink, a whole lot of manufacturers together with Armand Nicolet have been compelled to seek out new methods of reaching customers. A part of the model’s extra novel strategy is fairer pricing designed for a extra direct-to-consumer industrial technique. The watches match the mould of basic Swiss watches however have a recent aptitude for consideration and tasteful dazzle. It’s for the man who needs to point out off just a bit bit, with out attempting to look as if he’s attempting to point out off.
As a “bracelet man,” I want the Mo2-Four GMT on the non-obligatory matching metal bracelet. For this evaluation, I can solely speak in regards to the watch on the alligator-print brown leather-based strap. It’s comfy sufficient and appears engaging on the fold-over deployant clasp that neatly hides the surplus strap subsequent to your wrist. I simply occur to assume the watch is probably the most masculine on the bracelet in model — however presumably extra comfy strap, given the decrease weight. Maybe I’d simply select one other strap shade. I occur to assume this ref. A846AAA-AG-P840MR2 would look good on a grey strap. The ref. A846AAA-AG-M9742 is that this similar Mo2-Four GMT watch on the metal bracelet.
At 42mm-wide and 12mm-thick (water-resistant to 100 meters) in metal, the M02-Four is about as massive a dimension as most guys need to go with out a timepiece trying too massive. Concerning the most most males can get away with when sporting lengthy sleeves is 42- to 43mm-wide. This is a vital consideration as a result of the M02-Four GMT is a timepiece you may simply pair with formal or workplace apparel; in any case, it’s a costume watch in design. The sportiness is available in with the watch’s dimensions, in addition to the boldness of the dial. Armand Nicolet opted for a fairly deep dial, which has a sloped flange ring round it that’s printed with a minute-marker observe. This frees up the dial, which is made busy by the interior 24-hour scale that’s raised up a bit and has a two-tone shade palette to suggest daylight and nighttime hours of the day. A blue GMT hand rotates the principle dial as soon as every 24 hours alongside this scale. It makes for a legible format, although the GMT dial isn’t an ideal circle given the “hump” over the date window positioned at 6 o’clock.
I’d have fairly had Armand Nicolet produce the GMT hand with a barely completely different design than precisely like the principle hour hand. They do attempt to separate them by way of shade, however when viewing the dial at sure angles, it’s nonetheless too troublesome generally to inform the arms aside at a look. The arms are, nevertheless, cool trying and an total spotlight of the M02-Four GMT watch design. Browse the Armand Nicolet web site, and also you’ll discover that they produce different dial colours for the M02-Four GMT, together with a black dial with pink accents and a blue dial with orange accents. Anybody considering these GMT watches may benefit from searching the opposite fashions Armand Nicolet makes obtainable.
Which the dial is stamped and never truly machine engraved, the sunshine guilloché-style sample on the interior a part of the watch dials is appreciated. I, for one, like these “stylish touches” in my watches. The dial has no luminant, and over the face is a barely domed AR-coated sapphire crystal. The metal case is rounded total and completely polished. It’s a well-made case and gives a superb stage of high quality for the cash. I do, nevertheless, really feel that Armand Nicolet might push for extra design originality or a minimum of distinctiveness in its circumstances, simply because it does in its dials. However I need to say (going again to the crystal) that there’s little or no glare, and Armand Nicolet did an awesome job with the dial-viewing expertise.
Contained in the M02-Four GMT watch is a Swiss Sellita SW-330 computerized GMT motion. That is, basically,, the identical as an ETA 2893 and likewise operates at 4Hz (28,800 bph) with about two days of energy reserve. On this GMT watch, you are supposed to reset the time once you transfer to a metropolis after which the GMT hand follows the principle time. That is in contrast to another trendy GMT actions for which you’ll be able to independently set the hour arms. Within the SW-330 you might be shifting the GMT hand in one-hour increments in case you aren’t adjusting the principle time.
The rear of the watch has a view of the motion by way of a sapphire crystal caseback window. The presentation is fairly good-looking, however the motion itself isn’t very effectively adorned. That spoils the potential glamour of viewing the motion, however that’s merely a perform of the motion grade that Armand Nicolet selected for this assortment. Although the model claims these watches are a extra economical strategy to the dressy GMT than its prospects may need as soon as been used to, I nonetheless assume for the $2,000+ value of the watch, a extra well-decorated motion might have been chosen for the M02-Four GMT.
The wealthy stage of persona — regardless of the conservative and basic persona of the model — is what makes Armand Nicolet a model value taking a look at. They make about as attention-grabbing a costume watch as you will get with out risking your timepiece offending anybody. It’s an excessive strategy to the normal timepiece, and there’s most actually a marketplace for this amongst fashion-focused watch fanatics. To assist promote the gathering, maybe the following step is for Armand Nicolet to present the “M02-Four GMT” assortment a correct, relatable title. Worth for the Armand Nicolet M02-Four GMT is 2,200 Swiss Francs on the leather-based strap and 2,400 Swiss Francs on the metal bracelet. Study extra on the Armand Nicolet web site right here.
Mandatory Information
>Model: Armand Nicolet
>Mannequin: M02-Four GMT reference A846AAA-AG-P840MR2 (as examined)
>Worth: 2,200 – 2,400 Swiss Francs
>Measurement: 42mm-wide, 12mm-thick, and about 48mm lug-to-lug distance.
>When reviewer would personally put on it: As a loudly conservative costume watch for many who journey and prefer to know the time again house.
>Buddy we’d advocate it to first: Maybe those that are on the lookout for one good watch to put on regularly and aren’t drawn to sporting main model names.
>Finest attribute of watch: Very comfy sporting expertise and straightforward to learn dial (more often than not). Properly-finished case and personality-rich dial design.
>Worst attribute of watch: Worth nonetheless appears a bit on the upper facet, given the stiff competitors on the market; motion needs to be adorned in a watch at this value. Dial design isn’t for all tastes, however it’s straightforward to like.
