We???ve thus far been pleased with the small selection of Davosa pieces we received here at the Watch Cave. Unfortunately, and, in a way, fortunately, the Davosa 160.394.56 aka the Mecanique, was the weakest piece of the bunch, which says a lot about Davosa as a whole.

In terms of styling, the 42mm Mecanique is ho-hum at best. Based on the Unitas 6497 movement, this watch has luminous ???techno??? spear hands with thin tips and an odd ball-and-arrow seconds register at 9 o???clock.

The watch wants to be two things – a high end aviator???s watch while still maintaining an air of staid elegance. The hands and Arabic numerals suggest Traser while the round face and bezel and clean bracelet suggest a something out of the Waltham 1939 Spring line.

The movement, needless to say, is excellent and is visible through the rear sapphire window. Davosa promises 50 meter water resistance, which I will hold them to. The lume is far sub-par. After a full charge, the Mecanique pumps out about .5 on the ???Chris-Moy-Can-Read-This-In-The-Darkened-Bathroom??? Scale.

Overall, the Mecanique is just so-so. Anyone can take a Unitas movement, stuff it into a case, and sell it. It takes some creativity, which Davosa has thus far exhibited in the other two pieces we reviewed, and intelligence to make a good watch. This has a modicum of both. It???s no sow???s ear, but a silk purse it also ain???t.

Quality: 4/5
Style: 2/5
Overall: 3/5

??? John

Check out the Davosa line here.

Last Update: July 3, 2005