AC01

Arcadia AC01 Watch (Remake)

Before the economic crisis it was very common to see old watch brands come back. Since then we haven't see too much of that, but the practice has no ceased. Older watch brand Arcadia, has been brought back to life. Their first watch is a remake of an older model called the AC01. It should be debuted officially in January, 2011 in Geneva.

The new AC01 retains the cushion style shape of the original and adds a showy design that look like a mixture between MCT, Alain Silberstein, and Jacob & Co. It is showy without being to flashy, but it is still fun. Which is often the point of such timepieces - to be passionate exercises of design and technicalities. Watches made for the people who design them, and hopefully others follow their taste.

The case isn't too massive at 42mm wide and 14.6mm thick. The case is made from pieces of both steel and titanium, while there is am 18k rose gold rotor in the automatic movement (that is visible through the sapphire caseback window). The dial features a multi-level display, with the middle round segment being carbon fiber. The dial is busy, but interesting. The hands feel proportionate due to their thickness, but feel a bit stubby. Still, the watch is easy to read given their high level of contrast.

Inside the watch is a Dubois Depraz automatic movement. It is based on a Swiss ETA 2892, which is modified with a module that gives it a chronograph complication, as well as a second timezone (at 12 o'clock) in a 24 hour format. The shape of the sapphire crystal over the dial matches the upward angle of the case. The AC01 is matched to a black fabric strap (these are very en vogue right now).

The Arcadia AC01 will be limited to just 275 pieces, with more timepieces to follow given success for the brand's relaunch.

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

Gallery: Arcadia AC01 Watch