Ellicott Mach One Skymaster Aviator Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed)
Mar 5th 2011 at 12:02PM

I kid you not, this is stated in Ellicott's Mach One Skymaster Aviator watch press release: "the stealth Mach One Skymaster Aviator watch neither interfere[s] with radio antenna nor with radars..." Really? Is this actually an issue? Are stealth bomber pilots concerned that even though their planes are "invisible," enemy radar might pick up their watches? No, that is absolutely ridiculous, just like putting this statement in the press release. I don't even want to comment on the absurdity of the antenna interference statement. Ellicott seems hell-bent on having no one take their marketing language seriously.

The watch itself isn't too bad - hopefully anyone who buys one will have a decently effective sales person sell it to them rather than Ellicott themselves. Coming in a 44mm case (54mm tall), the watch is made up of carbon fiber and black DLC coated steel. Ellicott uses monobloc pieces of carbon fiber that they cut up for the main case. Elements like the crown and bezel are steel. Inside the watch is a simple three-hand automatic Swiss movement, Ellicott points out that it is an exclusive caliber for them. Ellicott actually does a slick job of decorating the movement, and makes it real pretty to look at.

There is more carbon fiber on the dial. Though it feels more casino than cockpit if you ask me. Since when is flashy stealthy? I don't know - maybe if you are trying to blend in at a high-stakes poker game, and don't want the people there knowing you have no idea how to gamble. It isn't that I don't like the dial, but rather that Ellicott seems to be totally confused on what they are trying to market here - and the dial feels like an homage to other brands such as Franck Muller in an alternate universe. Last is the strap, which is alligator done in a matte finish (to be different), with cool but (again) totally not stealthy red contrast stitching. Screw it, I am just going to re-name this watch to the "Ellicott Blackjack Roulette Skyfighter." At least no one is using the term "extreme" any more in watch names.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: aviator, ellicott, mach one, review, skymaster, watch