Shaping the time – Alpharo Model 1

With many watch brands launching over the last few years, it is hard to stand out, and I have to say that many of them are keen to use nostalgia to justify their watch design choices. The reason for this is that by copying a pattern that works in the commercial sense, the risk becomes lower, a tested product and of course not so original. It is not a bad approach, especially when a brand tries to survive, gain stability and hopefully in the future, produce more interesting releases, but for us watch enthusiasts, it feels safe and a bit repetitive.

I am not ranting, I am just describing what I see nowadays which also means that I can be appreciative when a new model comes and feels like nothing you have seen before, and here is where the Alpharo Model 1 enters the scene. Sure, it can remind you of the Bauhaus school of design with its minimalists’ cues but that is a good thing, it is a watch that makes you stop and wonder where it came from.

Based in Cambridge Alpharo is committed to display the time in a different way with its new Model 1. The details of the hands, dials and rail track do stand out together to create something very special.

The mathematical story in terms of design for the Model 1 is complex but quite compelling. The Poincaré style case back (which we will touch later) is a testament on how everything present in the Model 1, has a reason on why it’s there.

I was lucky to meet the owner and founder, and the enthusiasm was contagious. When you speak to someone about watches, not in the nature to sell you the story or a watch, its quite enjoyable. For context, the brands that we discussed were Nomos and Rolex, in particular the firsts Milgauss references, these design values can be seen in Alpharo’s  new creation.

Join me to discover this new upcoming UK brand that is ready to begin.

The specification

With a case of 38mm and a lug to lug of 45.3mm, the Model 1 it’s well balanced and feels the right size. It avoids that Nomos Glasshute trap of being small in diameter but with long lugs, Breguet watches are also guilty of this. I am usually a fan of 36mm sizes for this type of watches but at 38mm, the Model 1 allows the dial to breathe, it would be a shame to have a smaller face, and the main reason is the intricate pattern.

We were lucky to have the black dial variety with us for a week and the fume finish with he 12 curved lines that break dial to tell the time which are impressive to look at. To me, the Model 1 is one of those watches that you stop to look just because you want to and not because you need to know the time. The watch its incredibly legible, but it is also hypnotizing.

The hands match exactly those hour lines; they curve to perfection to create an effect that I haven’t seen before. The rail track has these beautiful round markers that match the colour of the hands and at 12, you have the larger double ones for orientation.

Another detail is the design of the crown, the ‘’twisted’’ look is complemented polished with engraved details elevating the quality of the watch itself. Feels great to wind and has a good grip, the Model 1 is 50 meters of water resistance.

Under the case back that everyone talks about, we can find the reliable Japanese Miyota 9093, not only keeping the watch very thin but also more affordable that it’s competition. Coming back to the case back, the aim was to create something beautiful from both sides of the watch, I believe they succeeded in the front and then the nod to hyperbolic geometry completes the back. It is well defined and also gives space to a small window which allows to see the not only a sneak peak of the escapement but also the engraved rotor with the branding.

On the wrist

With a thinness of 9.8mm and the previously mentioned lug to lug distance, the Model 1 wears well in my 6.25-inch wrist. It is not a surprise as the dimensions are quite good and one small thing that I enjoy is that is thin but not to the extreme, it has presence.

The watch comes supplied with a glossy black handmade strap, it feels quite nice to wear while bringing a causal look to the watch. That said a grey suede strap or even a mesh one, could work just as well, the dial is quite versatile.

I wore the Model 1 mostly at home, but it would be ideal for casual and elegant settings. In the end there no seconds hand, so it is quite an elegant watch, I wouldn’t go to the gym or running with it, but it doesn’t feel over dressy, it feels more like an everyday watch.

Legibility as described is quite good, there is no lume on the watch but is not needed, the contrast on the hands is high and easy to read at a glance, I really hope the pictures make justice.

Concluding thoughts

The enthusiasm of creating your first watch and adding every idea into it is a hard act to balance. I have seen this happen many times specially when the creation of an object has been taken a long time. I am glad to see that the Model 1 is an exercise of restrain and although there are many ideas floating around, they all seem cohesive and working in harmony.

As you can see, I really enjoy the time with this charming piece, I believe the dial colour is quite exquisite and is worth pointing out that is accompanied by 2 other variants. A Maelstrom Blue and a Cyclone white with heated blue hands, this last one seems to be the signature model, but I wouldn’t discard the gradient pattern on the other two.

I am very curious to see what comes next from Alpharo, the dedication and attention to details feel that they come from a more mature, more established, we definitely need more of this in the hobby.

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

For their Kickstarter campaign please go: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/alpharo/alpharo-model-1-rethinking-the-shape-of-time

The preorder pricing will be £519 for the first 48 hours, then £549. Retail will then be £699.

Technical Specifications

Case Diameter: 38 mm

Height: 9.8 mm (incl. crystal)

Lug-to-lug: 45.3 mm

Lug width: 20 mm

Water resistance: 5 ATM

316L stainless steel

Double-dome sapphire crystal with antireflective undercoating

Solid screw-in caseback with sapphire exhibition porthole over balance wheel

Push-pull crown

Movement

Miyota 9039

Automatic with hacking and hand-winding

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Frequency: 28,800 bph

24 jewels

Japanese made