It’s been awhile since we took a look at what our friends to the north have been creating. And, lo and behold, Archer Watches has introduced a few new models! Today, we’re going to take a look at the Stratos.
What grabbed me, at first, with the Stratos was all the texture detail on the dial. As with everything I’ve seen coming from Al’s workshop, this is a striking example, through and through. Of course, it’s not just good looks. With this watch, you get the following:
- 42mm stainless steel case (11mm thick)
- Domed sapphire crystal with AR coating up front (flat sapphire crystal in the exhibition caseback)
- Large onion crown for ease of use
- 22mm lugs holding the strap in place courtesy of screw-in pins
- 50m water resistance
- Manual wind ETA 6498 movement
- Hours / minutes / sub-seconds
- 18,000 BPH
- Incabloc shock protection
- Decoration on various parts of the movement
- Guilloché style dial with blued Breuget style hands
Do I mind that there’s no lume on the dial or hands, or that there isn’t a date display? Not particularly. Sure, they would be nice, but not necessary. In my mind, when you’re looking for a dress watch, you want something that blends seamlessly with a suit or tuxedo. And in those instances, you don’t need the roadflare glow of Luminova peeking out from under your cuff, now do you?
Of course, at $975 for this watch, you’re putting yourself at a pricepoint that offers quite a few options in this segment. For me, I think the styling is classically dressy, and offers a solid Swiss movement. Also, given Al’s attention to detail and documentation (read more about that here), you’d be getting a watch that should be reliable and worry-free.
Oh, and if you agree with my assesment, but wish it had a slightly different style? Check out the Sterling, which is practically identical, aside from the details on the sterling silver dial (sample shown below as well).
