Fashion houses are catching up – The Duke from Wecord

There was a time when fashion watches were seen as something disposable, this is of course from the watch geek perspective. And up to some degree, it was true. The main reasoning is that all these brands want to have a complete offering outside their core business, this is to achieve as much loyalty from their customer as possible. Is not a bad exercise because a client might feel identified with the lifestyle or design cues that a company is offering. The issue, to me at least, is when they present something poorly made just to fill a gap, and in our watch hobby, this is unacceptable.

But the tide is turning, big names like Bulgari, Hermes and Luis Vuitton, understand that a badly made object regardless of it is a pencil, a notebook or in this case a watch, it will reflect negatively with their exclusive clientele. This is not only because clients nowadays expect the best out there but because they are more knowledgeable than ever.

By the same effect, brands must educate themselves in a new language, and when it is down to watches, this knowledge comes in the form of old references, timeless design and of course, Swiss heritage.

I came across Wecord when I was looking at the hot category in watches today: integrated steel sport watches. The Duke is one of the first model from the London based brand and I have to say from the pictures at their website, it looked impressive. I was very lucky as the kind people from Wecord allowed me to get hands on with the watch and it doesn’t disappoint. From the bracelet to the tapisserie dial, the Duke has a lot going for it at a price that is finally palatable for this category. Join me to discover what a hidden secret looks like.

The specifications

There are a few measurements to get wrong when designing an integrated bracelet watch and I am glad to report that the guys at Wecord got the proportions right. The Duke measures 32mm in diameter with a 41mm lug to lug. While this numbers might not tell you the full story for a rectangular watch, I can tell you that is perfect for my 6.25-inch wrist, I have quite a bit of clearance and looks the right size.

The case is a testament to good design, not only because of its shape but because the transitions from brushed to polished surfaces are well made. The bezel is thin and crisp, underneath it has a bigger frame for the mid case transitioning sharply to the bracelet, all tidy and well thought out.

We cannot talk about the case without talking about the bracelet. The 3-piece construction guarantees the flow from the lugs to the butterfly clasp, which when closed, it creates a seamless look that feels more like a jewelry than a time piece. I meant this as a complement.

Coming to the dial, the Duke impresses with a ‘’clou de Paris’’ style canvas. Our version came in the Navy Blue variant, and it makes justice to the overall watch, it looks playful but at the same time has a regal vibe to it. The applied markers are filled with lume and match the hand design quite well, the minute track also makes an appearance and feels consistent with the watch. One detail to highlight is that the watch doesn’t have any writing apart from the brand’s name and a small ‘’SWISS MVT’’ at 6. It is an exercise on restrain that tells a story that this watch was design by someone who loves watches.  

The Duke is not only a pretty face but it also packs a reliable Swiss Ronda movement, more specifically, the 1062 which we know well. I like also the detail that it has no running second hand, it gives a cleaner look and avoids the unnecessary ticking.

On the wrist

One of the benefits of having a Swiss quartz movement is that they are usually very thin. The Duke doesn’t disappoint in this department as it is 6mm in thickness, that is quite impressive for a watch that also offers 30 meters of water resistance.

Of course, the main beneficiary of this refinement is the wearer. The watch feels planted and kind of like a second skin, it is quite comfortable as you barely note its heft at only 105 grams.

All of the above in terms of comfort could be forgotten if the Duke wasn’t matched with a good bracelet, thankfully it has. Not only the end links start quite well in terms of shape but the immediate tapper ensures even more comfort, and that is a crucial point because this is the only way to wear the watch.

I wore the Duke mostly at the office and also at home, it is a watch that you keep staring all the time and forgot to actually look at the hour. Must be the dial mixed with the wearing experience, it is quite charming. Legibility is also a good point for the watch, the contrast is there, and the applied indexes also help quite a bit. That is why I keep thinking that this piece was design by someone who loves watches, you cannot get here by chance.

Concluding thoughts

The Duke is a watch that to me, brings some of the best details from a 5 figure watch and tones it down without compromising in quality. The construction is outstanding while being elegant and timeless. Coming to the price for the Duke, Wecord is currently asking for 400 GBP with tax included. There are a few watches in this price bracket that can feel this special which makes us think that this is a hidden gem for us watch nerds.

The Duke is currently being offered in 2 sizes, small and large, and it comes in a variety of colors: green, silver, red, black and our navy blue.

Also, while we were writing this review, their new model the Oliver is out, make sure to check it out.

As mentioned Wecord is a fashion house that its core offering is not watches, they cater more for accessories but just like other high-end firms, their quality extends to each of the products available. That said I can only attest for the quality on their watches, but if they are putting so much effort on their development, I am sure that I can rely on anything from them with my eyes closed.

For more information, please visit https://wecord.co.uk/ 

Technical Specifications

Stainless Steel 316L

Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal

Movement: Quartz - Ronda 1062 Swiss

Case Dimensions: 41mm x 32mm

Case Thickness: Ultra thin - 6mm

Water Resistance: 3 ATM (approx. 30 meters/100 feet)