When it comes to brands that I consider to be part of the Ickler family of watches, Limes is definitely the better-dressed older brother.  In that, while the cases are sturdy steel and carry a hint of sport to them, the overall design has that dressy feel.  Earlier this year we told you about the Limes Pharo DayDate.  If that caught your eye, but you’re not one for day complications, then perhaps the newly-announced Limes Pharo BigDate with PowerReserve will be just the thing.

Now, if you had both of those Limes watches side-by-side, you would definitely see the similarities.  Same 40.5 case with the deep vertical grooves on the sides, sapphire crystal, and a dial with plenty of guilloche to go around.  The big difference here, is, well, it’s all in the name of the thing.  Gone is the day display, and in it’s place is the big date window.  This is something I’ve seen on other watches, and I’m generally a fan of the larger, two-digit route.  The deep frames around these digits seem heavy, but that would need to be seen in person to tell for sure.

With the big date up top on the Limes Pharo BigDate with PowerReserve, that means the smaller date window from the other Limes Pharo we told you about is gone.  In it’s place (and shifted over a bit) is a power reserve indicator.  Is this something that is strictly necessary?  Well, no, it isn’t.  If you want a way to mix up the “same old” three-hander look on a watch, those, the power reserve is a way to go.  Plus, here, it gives another guilloche pattern, so you’ve got that going for you, which is nice.

Those changes mean that the movement is different inside.  So, for the Limes Pharo BigDate with PowerReserve, they’ve gone with the ETA 2892-2 Top Grade movement.  That certainly helps explain the price change to $1,576 (the prior Pharo clocked in at $800), something that would likely factor into any decision you’re making between the two Limes Pharo watches released this year.  My money would be on the prior one, but I wouldn’t say you’d be going wrong with either.  limes-watches.com

Watch Overview

  • Brand & Model: Limes Pharo DayDate
  • Price: $1,576 (outside EU); EUR 1580 inside EU
  • Who we think it might be for: You like your watches classic and German
  • Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?:  Probably not – even in a dressier piece, I still like to have a least a little bit of lume in the mix
  • If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: Reduce the emphasis on the date window – let the larger digits speak for themselves
  • What spoke to me the most about this watch: With Limes, I find myself really liking the case profile and texture
Tech Specs from Limes
  • Movement:  Decorated Swiss hand wound movement ETA 2892-2 TOP with big date and power reserve, blued stainless steel screws, Geneva stripes and Perlage, LIMES logo
  • Watch case:  ICKLER made stainless steel case, polished and brushed, distinct vertical lines on circumference, diameter 40,5mm, thickness 11mm, domed sapphire crystal A/R coated, mineral crystal display back, crown with Ickler logo, water resistant 5 ATM
  • Dial:  Silvered dial with Clou-de-Paris and Sunray Guilloché patterns, fine Roman numerals
  • Hands:  Blue Breguet hands
  • Band:  Black or brown leather, width 20mm, wrist size: 18 – 22cm

Last Update: September 19, 2017