Simple, effective and good looking – The W10 Pilot watch from Namoki

Simplicity has its own form of appreciation and the best way to find it in my opinion is inside military inspired watches. The main reason for this approach is that military watches are usually forward looking, they use the best technology available at that time, and they try to avoid any ornamental details.

Take a quick look at pilot watches from WWII, they are purpose driven and most of the times, you cannot find clutter on the dial like dates, moonphases, or another type of complication, basically less parts will make it more reliable.

To continue the point on reliability, this theme will be present perpetually in all military watches because performance and timing are key to the success on a mission. Maybe that is the appeal that we see on them, an object that its purpose is to perform.

Today we are looking at a watch that comes as an inspiration of British Military watches from the 70’s called the W10s. In my eyes, it clicks the right boxes when it comes to a do it all watch, it is small, discreet and of course ready for anything.

The guys at Namoki did a great job with this one and it might be their best built watch that I have reviewed from them. Join me to discover a special one.

The specifications

One of the main reasons why I think this is one of the best watches that Namoki offers is because of the case. The stainless-steel barrel shape is unique to their catalogue and is a mixed of brushed with satin including beautiful edges which are machine finished to perfection. The watch case feels like a mono-block rather than a several piece constructions and it measures 36mm by 41mm lug to lug, it wears compact and dare to say a tad smaller than the numbers suggest.

The watch comes with one of the simplest dials I’ve reviewed but by no means is less spectacular. The combination of a grain finishing, beige markers and sword hands makes the W10 quite a looker. It is finished under a crystal that includes a good dose of AR coating and no bezel, cannot stop staring at it.

As mentioned, there are no unnecessary features on the watch rather than the Namoki logo (which personally I think looks amazing on this dial), and the words ‘’Mechanical’’ at 6 o clock, nothing distracts you from the telling the time with clarity.

Everything feels truth to the original versions from the 70, the crown is big and easy to grip, the stainless-steel hands give a retro vibe that also helps with legibility and the numbers are large compared to the dial ratio, legibility at its best.

That large crown screws nicely which is an update to all other versions out there, it provides the W10 a reasonable 50 meters of water resistance and it controls an automatic NH35 A from Seiko, which hand winds and hacks. It is an improved package, because it gives more of that reliability, that said my main concern was cured when I saw that Namoki managed to keep the watch as thin as possible at 11.2mm which is very impressive considering the feature that it packs.

On the wrist

With the shape of the case, the W10 has more real state on my 6.25-inch wrist when it comes to lug to lug but the 36mm of the case feel more like a 34mm watch. I can say that the way that it wears, takes you back to a more nostalgic place, it is purpose built but I keep looking at it and feel that watches like this are not made anymore, I am extremely happy to have in my collection because nothing looks or feels like it.

The 18mm lug distance means that it can wear good in variety of straps, leather or nylon. The one supplied has a great quality and I am tempted to leave it as it comes but me being me, I’ll be changing it quite often. A brown vintage leather seems to be the next frontier.

I wore the W10 in most everyday situations. Usually at work and at home, it feel great and because of the size, it can be worn in almost every situation. It is quite versatile and the size has a lot to do with this.

Concluding thoughts

It is not easy to fall from a watch that looks and feels so different that the variety of military inspired watches out there. The streamline case is just plain sexy, the curves and the lustre give you an impression of a vintage shape but of course, the watch is modern as all of Namoki offerings.

I would say that this is a watch for almost anyone, it is a unisex option and a fit for enthusiast and newcomers to the hobby, all of this brings us to the price. The W10 Pilot is offered at 247 GBP which is extraordinary value for what it brings to the table, I cannot think of anything as original at this price point. As a comparison, the Hamilton version called Khaki Pioneer, is offered at 3x the price and I have to say that the Namoki version, brings more refinement in a better presented package.

If you are in the market for a great watch that can do it all, this certainly must be on your radar, it is certainly in mine.

More information at https://www.namokimods.com/en-gb/collections/modded-watches/products/nmk21-automatic-pilot-watch-tonneau-steel

Technical specifications

·       36mm Case Diameter

·       41.3mm Lug to Lug Diameter

·       18mm Lug Width

·       11.2mm Thickness

·       NH35A from SII - Hacking and Winding movement

·       NMK950 W10 Pilot Tonneau Case: Steel Finish

·       Top Hat Box Crystal (Clear AR)

·       Integrated Brushed Chapter Ring (Rehaut)

·       Grey Seatbelt NATO Strap

·       Water Resistant to 50m