2023 Archiwatch "Original" 2525-1 Glossy Black Dial 36mm
Ref: 2525-1
Specification
Lugs :Â 20mm
Condition :Â Pre-Owned
Box & Papers :Â Box & Papers
Case Material :Â Stainless Steel
Warranty : Manufacturer Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold with its Archiwatch travel case and paperwork. The watch comes paired with a 20mm Molequin leather strap plus a brushed and polished 20mm Forstner “Beads of Rice” bracelet with a signed folding clasp. The watch is from Circa. 2023 and is in worn condition, but overall in very fair condition, as you can see from the photographs. The watch comes with its Manufacturer's Warranty.
For more photos see here -Â https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KthLkXXTPU68RISNlbRCIMp40OYjvg6F?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 21:45Â -Â https://youtu.be/umDC096ToZY
The Watch
Here we have a 2023 Archiwatch "Original" 2525-1 Glossy Black Dial limited to 100 pieces, with its curvaceous brushed 36mm stainless steel case that gently curves over your wrist with finely tapered drilled lugs. Designed by Richard Ménasé, he pays homage to the iconic Patek Philippe "Calatrava" 96 with its Bauhaus design undertones, the flowing lines lead to a lug-to-lug length of 44.5mm and a case thickness of 10mm ensuring a comfortable fit. On the right side is a large polished crown, and a smooth brushed bezel holds a domed crystal above a glossy black dial. An outer minute rail track surrounds double and single-facet-edged indexes marking the hours, as you rotate your wrist the hands and indexes play magically with the light, steel Dauphine hands sit majestically in the centre, at 12 o’clock we have the Archiwatch motif and “Fab. Suisse” at 6 o’clock completes this sophisticated timepiece. On the reverse a screw-down case back with “Archiwatch Original” and the number out of 100 engraved, inside a manually wound Sellita SW210, 19 jewels, beating at 28,800 beats per hour. The watch comes paired with a 20mm Molequin leather strap plus a brushed and polished 20mm Forstner “Beads of Rice” bracelet with a signed folding clasp, and the watch comes with its Archiwatch travel case and paperwork.
Personal Note
If, like me, you would love to own a Patek Philippe Calatrava reference 96 one day but that dream currently looks like a long path that may or may not come, then consider this Archiwatch as a beautiful watch to give that "vibe" but at an incredibly affordable difference to the Patek! It goes without saying that the two can not be compared and this Archiwatch stands on its own merits beyond that inspiration. I would not hesitate to add this watch to your personal collection.
The Brand
The Archiwatch is an independent online watch dealer based in Paris, France, owned and managed by Richard Ménasé. Formerly known as "Harbor Watches," this well-known dealer has a reputation for curating some of the best vintage and collectable wristwatches. They offer a wide range of watches from small independent manufacturers to highly valued brands. He previously served as Co-Founder and Art Director at Horare.com, where he led the sale of over 1000 vintage and collectable watches worldwide from 2015 to 2019. Today Archiwatch designs their timepieces incorporating elements inspired by the classic vintage watches they have sold over the years such as the Patek, they have collaborated with Merci Instruments producing limited editions and Richard Ménasé produced 25 Anonymous watches in eight dial configurations. His flair for design will continue to expand the number of watches they have to offer.