Dressing Down - Feynman One - Galaxy Aventurine Edition Impressions

For a while now I really wanted to add an aventurine dial to my collection. At first glance, like meteorite, one would think it is an exotic material, especially since it can be found in high-end models like the Saxonia or Code 11. However, like meteorite, it is really not that hard to come by as evident in a lot of affordable brands starting to add it to their dials. Zelos, for example, has it on a bunch of models like this:

I tend to miss many of their drops and when I do catch one, all the models are NH35-based, which (sorry) is an immediate pass for me. One day, I will add a Zelos with a better movement, I swear.

A few years ago Feynam made the rounds on the socials, Youtube in particular but sending out watches for review. They are a Malaysian-based brand using ETA movements, in this case the 7001, with a unique design.

The original red one caught my eye, but I never got around to ordering one, then a couple months back they dropped a new addition to the Galaxy line up, Aventurine.

“Wow, how cool” I thought. Right away the strap was a massive no, but figured, it was black, maybe it'll look better in person, but for the price and specs, at a little more than a grand pre-order, it is a lot of watch for the money. The day it arrived, I opened it up, and this:

Full disclosure, that photo is very well-lit to show highlights, but it gives you an idea of what it could look like in full sun. The "hand made lizard strap" like all exotic straps, is way too shiny and I simply cannot get on board wearing it. The watch already has a ton of different textures going on and the strap pulls too much attention away from the rest of it. Their site fully discloses the color will look different depending on light.

Here is a non-macro lens shot in natural light via iPhone next to a Lorier Zephyr for reference. To the naked eye, not under a studio light, it certainly looks more reserved.

Basic specs from their site:

• Case: 39mm

• Lug to Lug: 46mm

• Height: 11.5mm

• WR: 50m Lug width: 20mm

• Movt: Top grade hand wound ETA 7001

So, that feeling of getting a new watch, boxing it away until a new strap came, ugh. I ordered two straps, well because it is 20mm lugs and I can never have enough straps. Two weeks later, I received my order of a black sailcloth from the awesome folks at Fin Watch Straps. I am not affiliated with them in any way, but they make some awesome straps for the money and IMO better than rivals charging 2-3x more. You can get them directly, or via their Etsy store. My suggestion is to check both, as the Etsy storefront tends to post deals the site does not have and vice versa.

I took off the ugly blue strap it came on and added this:

Instant upgrade IMO. It wears more dressed down and honestly looks better in natural light (refer to prev pic w/Lorier). I am not sure I will keep it on this strap when the other custom black strap I have coming from Tuns arrives, but for now, I can actually wear it. Here is a closer shot, again lit for texture purposes.

An absolutely gorgeous dial for those seeking something original. It wears smaller than the 39MM suggests, largely because of the large hour track.

Besides the bracelet, other cons? Not many, but it did ship with some minor surface scratches I did not notice until I was editing the macro shots (never put your watches under a macro lens if you have OCD). Lack of lume is also a thing, but again, it is a dress watch so no big deal there.

I think the current price is about $1300 USD, which is still very reasonable for an original-design Aventurine dial watch with an ETA 7001 movement. I believe the last Galaxy model was limited to 50 pieces. I am not sure of the edition size for this.

Is it for everyone? Probably not for the traditionalists. Can you wear it with everything? Not sure, I largely rock jeans these days, so for me, why not? Getting rid of the original strap and dressing it down with a sailcloth or soft leather makes it more versatile than one would think and I cannot wait to spend more time with it...finally.