A birthday cake for something special – EONIQ Malbec Series

In a world of mass product objects, a unique proposition is something that we cannot argue with. We have been accustomed to decent quality because prices have been going down, but that quality aspect it is still an issue. You’ll see, we overlook how watches are priced when it comes to their cost, we always think on statements such as: ‘’the watch is great specially at this price point…’’ and in my quest to combat this, I found the guys at EONIQ, a Hong Kong based custom brand that believe in giving us real worth, but a real one this time.

Let me begin by describing how hard is to make a custom project, let a lone a watch. The reason why mass production is profitable, it is because economies of scale, the more produced the cheaper it becomes. But what if you offer something different? Imagine to avoid the use of marketing to make people like your product and instead, envision what they would enjoy.

This is EONIQ vision, they have been in our arena for 10 years and delivering outstanding objects from the start. Maybe this type of proposition was something hard to find a few years ago but today, even if they are rare, they are easier to come by. Imagine creating skeleton dials, blued hands and movements that would put to shame mainstream propositions, this is what they have to offer.

To celebrate a decade which is a big milestone, EONIQ has released their first collaboration: The Malbec, and we are very lucky to have an exclusive hands on with.

Just like fine wine, the Malbec series has details that will keep you thinking: ‘’why you would buy something off the shelf when you can have a more personal approach?’’. Well, I will try to describe this experience and hopefully I will not add to the noise because to me, this is a noble way to address those objects that we love so much. Join me to discover a disruptor in our watch hobby.

Technical specifications

If you talk to any watch enthusiast, there is a common theme among us. Size matters and the Malbec Series really delivers with the 38.5mm stainless-steel case, not only on those dimension but also on the construction and finishing. The elongated polished steel looks outstanding, it brings a lot of refinement that I I’ve seen in watches that costs 3x time the price. The simplicity and old vibe that the body gives is also worth mentioning, feels like a watch from the 20’s with a air from the future.

So far, we haven’t mentioned the design nature of the Malbec,  but this is a sector dial watch, which means that is a tool one with different finishing on the dial to provide legibility. The inner circle has somehow a satin look in a stark white while the numeral track provides a brushed silver touch. The latter holds the beautiful Breguet numerals which have been printed with a ‘’pad’’ technique. I want to focus on this point but because of this silicon made instrument not only allows precision, but a great array of colors. Coming back to the precision element, if you look at the macros, the painting looks thick giving a sense of hand-made brush touch, it is mesmerizing.

The tool aspect as mentioned, is highlighted by that beautiful sector dial which is a military invention before the first world war to aid soldier with visibility, especially on aviation. The visibility is highlighted by the lancet heated blued hands, yes not painted heated. This is a great artisanal detail done by a watchmaker which is highly  appreciate. The three hands are long and bright, contrast is secured.

As a parenthesis, EONIQ being specialized on custom work, they did something special for us: a red ‘’12’’ marker. This is quite an exquisite detail which is also period correct, after all help with orientation because at that time could really make the difference in a dangerous situation.

Inside the Malbec we can find a Miyota 9039 making the watch not only reliable but also very thin at 8.5mm. The second dimension helps with the case profile and also the wearability of the watch, key to understand the attention to detail that the brand adds to their pieces.

This attention to detail continues on the back with the see through caseback, there is a skeletonized rotor and blued screws which add to the overall composition, lovely to see what can be done with an ebauche movement.

The watch also provides 30 meters of water resistance, it is great to have wearability every day.

On the wrist

With a thin and a small dimension, you can imagine that the Malbec wears like a charm on my 6.25 inch wrist. It is a watch that oozes class and with the right strap it can be anything it wants. The black leather strap provided has a great quality, thick and soft at the same time. I wanted to check how that brushed sector dial matches a grey ash leather strap, it does look incredible but the last few days, I took an Hermes brown tan leather one, and this is how the watch will stay for a long time.

Of  course all of this leather makes the Malbec very dressy, but again it is a tool watch as nature. Any mesh strap or even a nylon one could make even more versatile, perhaps going to a gym with it? Legibility Is always something positive and because of the design and details, the Malbec doesn’t disappoint. The ‘’no date’’ display makes the watch symmetrical and then, we have the light colour of the dial contrasted by those long hands, I can easily bet that this layout would be an object of desire back in the day.

The Malbec is perfect for casual occasions. An day office feels as the designated environment, just like the sea to a diver. A good sweater its in order and in the end, sector dials were not only given to the military personnel on the trenches but also to officers (hence is an officers watch) quiet and precise.

Would I wear this watch as an everyday piece? Well yes, it is not only good looking but also that red marker makes it less serious and more dynamic, much more than some of us will expect.

Concluding thoughts

After all of the above and not only because I wrote the article, I do not see a way on why I wouldn’t opt for this type of approach when purchasing a new watch. it is quite an experience and an easy one, no complications, open communications and reasonable pricing which brings us to the RRP of the Malbec: 628 GBP.

This is an outstanding price for something not only unique but handmade. I have review many watches in my time and to be honest, even today, there is nothing at this price range that comes close.

From the dial to the movement adding the experience of creating something bespoke, the Malbec is one of the best watches I’ve tried so far, I cannot seem how to take it off, only to sleep and that is ok.

If EONIQ keep addressing our hobby this way, I am sure that the future looks bright, I am looking forward to see what comes next, there is no denying that this is a special object.

For more information please visit: https://eoniqatelier.co/products/malbec

Technical Specifications

·       Front crystal: Sapphire crystal with AR

·       Case back: Exhibition case back

·       Material: 316L Stainless Steel

·       Water Resistant: 3ATM

·       Thickness: 8.5mm

·       Diameter: 38.5mm

·       Lug: 20mm

·       Lug-to-lug: 45.5mm

·       Movement: Miyota 9039

·       Watch Dial: Sector Dial with custom in-house Pad Printing.

·       Watch hands and screws: Flame blued by our in-house watchmaker