You know who we haven’t heard from in awhile? Projects Watches, that’s who. Late last year we had a good spate of coverage on different watches they’ve released, and we even ran a giveaway for a Michael Graves-designed Newark. Well, they are back again with another Graves design, but this time this is a watch definitely intended for the fairer sex. Let’s have a look at what the Projects Watches Scallop Watch has in store.
While the Projects Watches Scallop Watch is labeled as a women’s watch, it is no dainty flower, as its steel case measures in at 40mm. Now, whether you chose to view the watch as inspired by a flower or a sea shell, that’s up to you. For me, given its name, I’m going with the shell. However you view it, the repetitive pattern on the dial, aside from being a touch hypnotic, goes by another name – guilloche. As readers are no doubt aware, this is a method of engraving that goes back to the 17th century. This is fairly rare to see on watches these days, as it requires the use of a rose engine to truly do it, and there are not many of those (or trained operators) around these days. We’ve inquired, and it sounds like this is not how it’s being created; my guess is that CNC milling or laser etching is involved.
Obviously, the case and dial of the Projects Watches Scallop Watch are the stars of the show. The handset looks to be a good fit, though I’m uncertain about the extended seconds hand. Basically, here, it’s just giving you the reassurance that, yes, the watch is working. Then again, if you’re trying to time something down to a second, this probably is not the watch for it. Under the dial, you have a Miyota 2034 movement keeping things accurate.
While we have been beset with slimline quartz watches that all look fairly much the same, the Projects Watches Scallop Watch shows that the basic concept (a slim quartz three-hander) can really be done up well when you have a talented designer behind the pen coming up with the design. When it is ships on March 28, 2016, the Projects Watches Scallop Watch will command a price of $225. While I do not own anything from Projects Watches, what we have had in for review has impressed me. These are well-designed watches, and by bringing in designers from outside of the industry, you can end up with some intriguing pieces. As to the Projects Watches Scallop Watch, specifically, just the very fact that they did not put any gems or hearts on the dial put it well ahead of many other women’s watches, in my book. projectswatches.com
Watch Overview
- Brand & Model: Projects Watches Scallop Watch
- Price: $225
- Who we think it might be for: You’re a fan of design and things that come from the sea
- Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?: For me, no, not really. For my wife or daughters? Perhaps!
- What spoke to me the most about this watch: The guilloche pattern of the dial
