In my recent review of this watch (see: http://watchcollectionhobby.blogspot.com/2012/01/review-of-arbutus-propeller-mens.html), I was only able to give some of the specifications and that is about it. After getting the chance to wear it, I am able to say a few words about this watch.
The watch comes in a double box. The first is a big cardboard box with the brand painted on top of the box.
When you open the first box, you will be greeted with a nice rosewood box. The brand is etched on a metal plate and plastered on the front of the wooden box. This box itself exuded a sense of quality and class.
The box is hinged at the back and as you flick the top part of the box upwards, you will see the watch for the first time on its pillow. The pillow provided is very big and again made of quality material.
The first thing that strikes you is the complications on the dial. You see day, date, month, 24-hour indicator as well as a moon/sun dial. It screams "expensive".
The nice shiny black leather strap as well as the deployment buckle puts this watch on the premium level.
Also comes with a display back. The movement is also engraved with the Arbutus brand.
A well made watch.
The dial has a nice wavy - Geneva - pattern on it.
However, this watch is a thick watch. From this photo, you can see how thick it is relative to the width of the casing.
Its measurements are as follows:
Width (without crown): 40 mm (approx.)
Thickness: 12 mm (approx.)
You may be wondering what are those nobs at the side of the casing. Well, these nobs are not decoration pieces but actually controls for the various complications. The book that comes with the watch is as thick and big as those of the Casio Protrek brand of watches.
To set the date requires you to move the had to the 12 o'clock position until the date changes once; only then can you use the nob at the 2 o'clock position to quickly chance the date to the correct number. You are required to the turning of the hands first before pushing the nob. Otherwise the gears could be spoiled. For the second nob i.e. at the 4 o'clock position, you can press this any time to change the month (the month does not change automatically). Finally, the third nob at the 8 o'clock position is used to change the day.
Ummm, definitely not a watch with complications. More like complicated manual! Anyway, you should not expect much from a watch that is relatively cheap.
Below is a picture of the watch on my wrist.
Some history on the Arbutus brand:
"Albert Reed founded the watch company with his brother in New York in early 1980s, having previously spent almost 30 years studying and working as an apprentice in a watch factory in Shanghai on the Chinese mainland.
Reed decided to name the company after his hometown of ARBUTUS in Canada, and he and his brother started to import watch movements and mechanisms for assembly into timepieces to be sold throughout the US.
In 1992, when Reed decided to retire, Target Inc collaborated with Bomass Ltd for the purchase of ARBUTUS. Thereafter, the new owners started to market ARBUTUS timepieces in countries throughout Asia ." Sourced from watchuseek.com
Previous posting on the watch:
This is a good watch to give as a gift. Looks very expensive but in reality, cheap
ReplyDeleteI agree - good value for money
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