About the night designer - a review of The Electricianz ZZ-A4C / 04

Wrist Watch

Once upon a time there was a designer. In a way, even talented. And then one evening he decided to visit his friends of related technical and creative specialties. And these friends worked at the watch factory. And then he comes to work in the evening, and there is no one there. Friday. Everyone went home early. They left, and left the computers with programs for design modeling turned on. And our designer could not resist - took and looked. Sat at the computer and stuck. To be honest, he did not understand watchmaking very well, but he looked through fashionable glossy magazines, of course. So he had a couple of original ideas. He looked out the window at the neon lights of the night metropolis and drew, drew and designed something. He got so carried away that he sat at the computer all night, and then all weekend. And by Monday, the project of a futuristic night clock of the future was ready.

And then people from the production came and, without understanding, immediately launched the model into a series ... This is approximately how I define the appearance of the so-called “fashion watches” for myself. They are "fashion" not so much because their manufacturer mainly creates clothes and accessories - this is not necessary. “Fashion” is about the fact that this watch has an unrestricted, bold idea of ​​the designer and an original creative idea. But there is no other. There is no continuity, history, technical and ergonomic thoughtfulness, there is no observance of all that many complex rules, canons and subtleties with which the watch industry is filled to impossibility.

Do I love these watches? Perhaps not much. Are they interesting to me? Sometimes interesting. They are interesting in that they implement ideas that serious companies connected by "history", "reputation" and "conservatism" will need fifty years to implement. Although, most likely, they will not have the courage. And micro brands and other newly minted watch companies do not take courage. All they have is courage! Therefore, today in our review - a model with a bold mix of styles. Quartz techno-skeleton with asymmetric cyber-gothic design Electricianz ZZ-A4C/04.

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We are taught that real WATCHES are mechanics, and quartz is incomplete watches. I love quartz watches. I would like to clear their name from accusations of "inferiority", "lifelessness", "cheapness". I like the idea of ​​experimenting with battery watch designs. The PanoMatic line from the German manufactory GO and some Breguet models use the asymmetric dial layout and its skeletonization as the main artistic medium. Of the not very expensive models, we can note the nice new Maurice Lacroix Aikon Master Grand Date in the same style.

But quartz has not yet been made in this manner. And so, in 2017, ELZ (The Electricianz) appeared. Looking at their corporate design and knowing the modern watch market, the definition somehow surfaced: “Sevenfriday on batteries”. And you know, the instinct did not deceive! The founding fathers of both brands are the same. Lauren Rufenacht and Arnaud Duval, having mastered the style of the "locksmith's shop", decided to expand into the "electromechanical" shop. We arm ourselves with a caliper, a magnifying glass and a voltmeter, put on dielectric gloves and begin the examination.

What is the product on the outside? The caliper lets us know that the dimensions of the case are not as monstrous as on Fridays, but remain significant and not particularly ergonomic. Diameter 45 mm and thickness closer to 15 mm. A significant contribution to the thickness is made by thick flat glass with a bevel. According to the manufacturer, it is, alas, mineral, albeit with anti-glare. Well, yes, where did you see electrical engineering with sapphire crystals? As expected of an electrical appliance, the case is insulated. Coated in dark blue PVD. It looks nice, but, again, there is uncertainty in terms of durability.

There are no bracelets - only belts. In our case, rubber with a buckle. Well, okay. It does not get dirty and isolates from short circuits (just kidding). The belt has quick release fasteners. This is great! And it’s not great that there was enough rubber for the belt, but there was almost no rubber left for the body gaskets. Therefore, the watch has a nominal water resistance of three atmospheres. However, who climbs with electrical equipment to swim? At most you can get caught in the rain.

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The lugs of the case are not long, so the watch still fits on my average hand. Although the target audience clearly should be more overall. At the end of the case there is a standard watch crown at the 3 o'clock position and a non-standard button a little higher. Although the hour head is also not quite standard. Instead of a logo, it has a slotted slot. I think this is an ingenious design element. Well, it's true! It's good that the time correction can be done without a screwdriver.

A non-standard button activates the backlight. Yes, yes, this watch has an additional lighting system from 3 LEDs on a separate battery (by the way, all this is described in detail in the tips on the back of the watch). The backlight is effective, but not very effective. Everything is beautiful, but the arrows are poorly visible. The idea of ​​a backlight on a separate battery is sound, but not new. You can remember, for example, VICTORINOX NIGHT VISION. By the way, there is even a flashlight.

Since we started talking about the dial, we arm ourselves with a magnifying glass and check what is there and how it is under the glass. The general style is some kind of post-apocalyptic gothic. Techno design with visible wires, battery and quartz oscillator, fasteners and technical scales. And at the same time very beautiful, high-quality, dark blue coloring of all details. If there had been an even bigger date on gas-discharge indicators, it would definitely have been a mocking hello to all sorts of Glashutte from a gloomy future! But even without this, the design is interesting and memorable. No wonder the night designer tried!

We take a voltmeter and figure out what our watch has inside. The good old tradition, not to bother and put something simple and reliable is also a very bright sign of a watch made by a designer. In "Seven Fridays" mechanical Miota are spinning, and here quartz ones are ticking. On my copy, the second did not hit the marks, which is not very typical for the Japanese. The dial is not large, and it is not very noticeable, but still, not very neat.

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How can we sum up our acquaintance with the product of watchmakers-enthusiasts? Personally, in such avant-garde products, I lack attention to detail, thoughtful ergonomics and compact size. But for those who care about a bright non-standard image, such a watch may suit. And most importantly, our familiar night designer, with his bold ideas, may push eminent and clumsy manufacturers to something new. Something they haven't had the courage to do yet.

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