Today, we’re going to introduce you to another new brand out of Poland: Xicorr. Their Circle model is a great mix of unique touches, from the design aesthetic to the movement they’ve gone with. Is the Circle the sport watch for you? Read on to find out.
Xicorr is one of a newer crop of brands that have popped up in Poland, focusing in on designing and building watches within Poland’s borders (another brand following this model is G. Gerlach). Their focus is on the quality and usefulness of their watches – and from surveying their collection, it seems they’re hitting the target.
Now, on to the watch. The first thing that struck me about the Circle was the softened industrial look present in the bezel. You’ve got the exposed fastener heads on it (much like we’ve seen with Berkbinder and Refined Hardware). The the fasteners being sunk below the level of the sloped bezel, though, it helps to round off the edges, so to speak.
Inside that bezel, you’ve got a spartan dial (our sample was in white, though there are black and blue dials available). On one hand, I do like the clean expanses (and the minimal text on the dial), but it can, at times, make it feel like there’s blank space that’s, I don’t know, boring, given that the dial itself has no texture. Then again, this is a fine line to walk – go too far in the other direction, and you end up with a complicated mess that’s hard to read.
Reading this watch presented no issues, even given the unique handset. The dark grey (almost black) filled hands and indices are clear, and stand out well against the white dial. Even when it gets dark, readability is still there, as (almost surprisingly) the hands and indices are lume filled. Sure, this sort of “dark” lume isn’t as bright as a white paint would be, but it’s still perfectly adequate for reading the time in the dark – while enabling a stark contrast for daytime reads.
Given the position of the date display (and the crown), you might be thinking that we have a Miyota movement tucked away inside the 42mm stainless steel case (only 12.5mm thick). Instead, we’ve got a Seagull TY2130 automatic ticking away. While I can’t speak to the longevity of the movement, it worked well while I was wearing the watch. Additionally, I’ve been impressed by the Seagull movements I’ve run across. The modern calibers definitely seem to have nailed down a great quality/price niche for themselves, and I’m glad to see some diversity in movements, especially with the smaller brands.
As I mentioned, this watch has a stainless steel case – but even with that, it only weights 106g on the included leather strap. In another design surprise we don’t often see, this leather strap (which is water resistant) features contrasting stitching, with both white and grey thread utilized. This takes what could otherwise just be some cheap commodity item on a watch, and makes it something you’re more likely to leave snugged into those rounded lugs.
Should you have some more sport-oriented outings in mind, however, the Xicorr Circle also ships with a grey silicone strap. Add in the 100m water resistance rating and that flat sapphire crystal, and you’ve got a watch ready for much of whatever you could throw at it in a weekend. At a price of just around $400 (depending on the current conversion rates), this is an eminently affordable piece as well. If you’re on the hunt for an affordable white-dialed sport watch, I’d have to say this one to consider. xicorr.com
Review Summary
- Brand & Model: Xicorr Circle
- Price: $400
- Who’s it for?: Someone looking for an affordable sport watch that looks a bit different than what their buddies will be wearing
- Would I wear it?: Yes, I would – the machined aesthetic combined with the white dial resonates with me
- What I’d change: I wouldn’t mind seeing some texture added to the dial (perhaps concentric circles) to break up the larger blank spaces
- The best thing about it: The exposed fasteners, which are presented in a “softer” style than we’ve seen before
