Watch Stuff : Tommy Hilfiger “Mens Automatic by MOVADO”

Review : Tommy wants to roll with the big boys...

I often don't cast an eye towards watches which are made by fashion brands, they only do for the money, my forte are the brands which made their mark in the market developing and creating mechanical art, combining amazing movements and watch design together to create a masterpiece in its own right.

But we will look at this for two reasons, mainly because this is my most prized possession, being of such high sentimental value also because its so interesting as you may have noticed the word “MOVADO” in the title. Movado have been making very high quality Swiss movements and watches since the early/mid 1900’s. Minimalism in their design has set them miles apart from their rivals giving their watches instant recognition to anyone who is vaguely familiar with quality Swiss watches. 

Lately they have moved into proving their movements to companies like ESQ and Tommy Hilfiger essentially turning these into party Swiss made watches, when it comes to watches no one does it like the Swiss.

Case

The case on this watch is extremely elegant without being boring, constructed of polished stainless steel giving off a mirror finish when cleaned properly.

The watch designers try giving it a slightly industrial look taking by adding four screws (decorative only) on the 12, 3, 6 and 9’O clock positions. They have also given it a raised bezel finished in a more brushed steel rather the the polished styles of the case, not adorned by the usual numbers and lines that you might get in more sport oriented watch.

The bezel also houses the mineral crystal glass, which if your not careful will be prone to scratches as it sits a fraction over the bezel.

Dial & Crown

The most unique and distinguished feature on this watch has to be the exposed mechanical movement often referred to as “skeleton”. I have got many compliments on the design which mainly stands out because of the excellent choice of dial colour, black. Having mated this with a chrome finish on the numbers and the movement itself, it really highlights the main feature of this watch, its automatic movement.

The dial is very well laid out, with just enough shiny bits to stop this watch blending into the wrist and being ‘just another watch’. Instead the black outer ring with the subtle Tommy Hilfiger logo on the 3’O clock position in combination with another smaller viewing window to the balance mechanism inside. All these features create a very sober and pleasing dial to look at.

This view also gives us a good look at the crown, simple, functional and comfortable are the words to describe it, the crown its a pull out crown with only one step to adjust the time as it doesn't have the date function.

Case back & Band

The solid steel case back is a let down, as its always pleasing to the eye to see the movement ticking away beautifully through a glass window. Rather we have the Tommy Hilfiger logo with other various details including water and pressure resistance. Being a more of a dress watch, with no information, i’d put this watch at about 30 meters water resistance.

The band on this watch is absolutely gorgeous, they have teamed the very classy watch with an even classier band of black croc leather, its not overly patented it giving it that cheap fake leather look rather somewhere in the middle of being all bling bling and a boring matte finish.

Not only is it a good looking band its damn comfortable, soft enough that you wont notice it yet its not floppy and still allows you to maintain the band curvature giving a picture perfect fitting on your wrist no matter what size it is.

On the wrist

This watch overall is a real pleaser, always putting a smile on your face when you look at it. Its an all round watch, it works as a dress watch and just as comfortably blends into being an everyday one. The exposed movement set it apart from the usual barrage of watches giving it a bit of the wow factor. The weight of this watch is excellent, i’m a little biased because I like the weight of an automatic, i think the Quartz (Battery operated) would have been too light. Hilfiger & Movado have really done one of their finest pieces. But then again, I'm biased since this watch is so special to me.