Along with this variant, they’ve also introduced the 42 B — a blue dialup, which presents a very clean look, on account of the dark hue along with the sunburst pattern in the dial. But haven’t fears — they have not forgotten their first white version. With it is date window and the printing of ‘AUTOMATIC’, it makes for a slight difference from the red and blue dials (besides the colour).Frankly, when I was looking to pick these up, I’d have difficulty deciding. While blue is my favorite color (generally), the red dial provides a very bold look that we do not see frequently with pilot watches. And then the white dial is just a great style, prepared to pair with all style of straps. Regardless of the dial you decide to go for, pricing is the same across the board. Pricing starts at 435 EUR for a steel case on strap, goes to 535 EUR to get a PVD coating, also tops out at 565 EUR to get a steel case and a necklace. Ickler does a great job with case layout, and Archimede, in particular, appears to be riffing on the timeless Flieger design in interesting ways. This permits the date complication to be there when you need it, but fade in the background. Sure, Archimede can do that on the GMT hand using a different shape, but you eliminate some of the charm the mimicked hand shape brings to the party. That leaves adjusting the color.
On the right side is a large screw-down crown flanked by angular crown guards. The guards ramp up, out of the case into the crown. Should you run your finger on them, they are totally smooth, furthering this “no-snag” design. Yet, they manage to get faceted in this way as to be competitive and stealth, especially on the PVD version. The crown is then 7 x 4mm with broad grooves and an Archimede “A” on the horizontal side. Proportionally, it is large for the opinion, but it looks right. The guards balance it out, and it adds to the inherent toughness of this small watch.The two current models, the Protect along with the PVD, visibly only differ in complete, but invisibly in hardness. The Protect was hardened to 1200 vickers by diffusing carbon into the upper layer of this watch, like Sinn’s tegimenting (they do not say if it is the exact same or if it’s accomplished by SUG, but it sounds similar). This makes it quite scratch resistant and hence more durable and suitable for sports/active use. This may end up the mantra of this article, but at under $1,000 for any of the Protect versions, these are an outstanding value for a tempered case watch.Visually, the Protect is brushed, but it looks somewhat different than a timeless brushing. This might be due to the treatment, but it’s like there is a fine beating under the brushing, for a slightly more matte case. It is easy and appealing. The PVD is a far more striking alternative, however. This case works very well in dark, turning the special geometry into something more ferocious, with sharper angles and stealth lines.The dial has not changed since we first reviewed the watch, though they did add the full-lume choice, which we have for review. In doing so, they did something really clever with the chapter ring, which is just another highlight of this watch, that I’ll talk in a minute. But, unlike the situation, the dial is not really hot or stylized.
People looking for a nice looking brown toned watch, that is made well and has a Swiss movement need look no further. With what can only be described as a metallic chocolate-colored face, Archimede’s new Arcadia Brown watch shines like a luxury form of rust. Actually, that whole range of browns, maroons, rusts, etc… can be very flattering and fashionable. Made in German, Archimede watches have Ickler cases, which are known for attention to detail, quality, and most importantly value. Few brands such as this make their own cases.
The Archimede Arcadia is a very classic type of watch from a design standpoint. A face as easy to read an IWC Portuguese, with properly sized hands, and a modern font used for the Arabic hour numerals. The clean inner dial is spiced up a bit via the hour and minute indicators around the periphery of the dial. New here for 2010 is the brown color of the timepiece. The case is in polished steel and is 42mm wide by 10mm thick (very reasonable).
It has a sapphire crystal and a mineral crystal caseback for viewing the movement. Inside the watch is a Swiss ETA 2824-2 automatic. Pretty much everyone loves the German spelling of “automatic” with a “K,” which is spelled out on the dial. The centrally-aligned date window is nice as well. Too bad the date disc could not have been brown as well (though that would have likely made it a bit harder to read). Overall the Arcadia Brown is a very well proportioned and balanced watch that is nice to look at with not much to fuss about – quite the German way.
Really not too much else to say about it. These images of the watch were taken as I checked the piece out myself. This is a watch that pretty much speaks for itself. If I had to make one addition to the design, I would add luminant to the hands. Otherwise, what you see is what you get. The watch is paired with a reptile textured brown leather strap, but is also available with a metal bracelet (which costs more). You can visit Archimede’s website to see this brown version of the Arcadia, as well as the other available models. Price is $595.