We get a lot of notifications of crowdfunded projects crossing our virtual desks here at WWR, and the honest truth is that we don’t always have enough time to feature all of them. So for you readers out there, check out the various platforms and search for watches, and for you budding watchmakers, don’t be discouraged if we can’t get to your project, and keep sending them in. One bit of advice I would give to a new brand is to make an attractive and unique (or at least somewhat unique) watch, and make it a value. Those categories fit the Stewart Dawson Belgravia Automatic, a new watch from a new watch company in London.
The watch itself is a fairly straightforward dress watch, albeit with an attractive sunburst dial and a nice looking leather strap with a vintage feel. Driving the watch is a Miyota 8215 automatic movement, housed in a 42mm stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal. There are still early bird watches available for a pledge of $199, hence the value part of the package. This is the first watch from a new brand, and with this being a crowd funded project, there is a risk that you will not get the watch as shown, if at all. I have backed a few watch projects, and have yet to be ripped off, but other projects (for not much money) have failed to deliver as promised. Do your research and go in with your eyes open.
The specs I mentioned above are a decent value, but the watch itself is not all that unique (though the strap is a style I do not see very often), until you reveal the hunter style caseback. Hidden behind a latch is the actual caseback, with room for an engraved inscription (which is included in the pledge price). So if you are looking to commemorate an event (graduation, groomsmen gifts, retirement…) this is a nice product. There are four options available, a white dial, a gunmetal dial, a black dial and a gunmetal dial with black numbers (not exactly a black-out watch, but close, and more readable). There are a couple of weeks left on the project, and funding is still a fair bit away from the goal, but it might be worth a chance in you are a fan of vintage styles in a modern automatic, with a little personalization. stewartdawsonlondon
Watch Overview
- Brand & Model: Stewart Dawson Belgravia Automatic
- Price: $199 to $249, depending on timing
- Who we think it might be for: You want vintage ques, modern looks, and hidden personal message.
- Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?: I would wear it.
- If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: The minute track on the chapter ring is unneeded.
- What spoke to me the most about this watch: I like the strap quite a bit.
Tech Specs from Stewart Dawson
- Movement: Miyota Caliber 8215
- Functions: Three hander
- Case: Stainless steel with hunter’s caseback
- Crystal: Sapphire.
- Water resistance: 5 ATM
- Lug width: 22mm
- Straps: Kudu reverse leather with stitching in contrast handmade in Italy
- Diameter: 42 mm
- Case Height: 15 mm
