Archimede watches
I came across Archimede watches a while back whilst doing my usual obsessing on the Internet, and whilst looking into what they have to offer came across this stunner. To me this is a hidden gem, in fact im sooo tempted to get one. I just love the utter simplicity. Has anybody out there ever owned one?
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@Calumets has one, and did a review on here.
I’ve been looking at the one with the small seconds dial.
It does seem a shame to me, though, that it’s 40mm. For a vintage looking watch, that seems too large.
I can only attest for build quality. A friend of mine owns the Outdoor 41 and the case feels like it could survive a tactical nuke. But I guess that's because the parent company Ickler is a case manufacturer.
That is indeed a lot of negative dial space.
I love minalism, so this speaks to me!
Hi, joining the conversation late. I have 2 watches under the Lines brand. Both Limes and Archimedes are owned and managed by the Ickler family, and the watch cases are all made by Ickler for both brands.
My experience with the Limes watch brand has been good. Both pieces are very well made and finished, and the time-keeping has been very good. I am trying to rationalise my watch collection, and everytime I think about letting my Limes pieces go, I can't bring myself to do it because they are really quality watches.
In today's market with so many quality microbrands, Limes may be a tad expensive. But, extremely good quality build for the watch at that price.
Hi, joining the conversation late. I have 2 watches under the Lines brand. Both Limes and Archimedes are owned and managed by the Ickler family, and the watch cases are all made by Ickler for both brands.
My experience with the Limes watch brand has been good. Both pieces are very well made and finished, and the time-keeping has been very good. I am trying to rationalise my watch collection, and everytime I think about letting my Limes pieces go, I can't bring myself to do it because they are really quality watches.
In today's market with so many quality microbrands, Limes may be a tad expensive. But, extremely good quality build for the watch at that price.
Never heard of limes before. Oh well MORE watches to obsess over 🤣
I'm also a bit late to the conversation (thanks for hitting me up @WatchBee). I've had the Archimede for quite a while now and could add a few things to the review I did.
Firstly, I've put it up for sale several times, but keep taking it down again. The reason for the sale is not because I don't like the watch, but merely that I haven't worn it enough. I've been on a journey rationalising my collection and have wavered several times on whether to keep the Archimede or not. For now, I've decided that it's staying and I suspect that won't now change as I've finally found I don't mind the couple of things which bothered me about it so much anymore. These are:
The case diameter at 40mm is slightly too big (as @WatchBee says). This watch should really be 36-38mm. Though this was potentially a deal-breaker for me in the past, I've gotten used to it (though I still feel that 37mm would be perfect).
The hand-wound SW215 movement is a bit scratchy when setting the hands. I don't have another SW215, so they may be fine generally and I may just have got a slightly off movement, but it's annoying when I set the time. The movement is also pretty plain through the display caseback. However, the watch is super accurate, so this is also not a deal-breaker for me.
On the plus side, what keeps making me stick with the watch is what initially attracted me to it and made me take the plunge despite knowing from the start that 40mm was too wide. These things are:
That dial is amazing! I know some don't like the empty space - I love it!
The case, despite being too wide, is so slim and so well made - Ickler really makes a nice case.
When I put it back on the Archimede leather (not great quality as it is coming apart), I fell back in love with it - it goes so well on many straps (and even an expander bracelet), but the mid-tone leather really makes it pop.
The blue version @Barringtonchud has pictured above looks very different in other pictures. It is not a subtle blue at all, and so worth making sure you've seen a range of shots before you take the plunge I think.
In summary, overall I'm still glad I have it and I think it will stay. In fact, I'm going to go and put it on right now...
I'm also a bit late to the conversation (thanks for hitting me up @WatchBee). I've had the Archimede for quite a while now and could add a few things to the review I did.
Firstly, I've put it up for sale several times, but keep taking it down again. The reason for the sale is not because I don't like the watch, but merely that I haven't worn it enough. I've been on a journey rationalising my collection and have wavered several times on whether to keep the Archimede or not. For now, I've decided that it's staying and I suspect that won't now change as I've finally found I don't mind the couple of things which bothered me about it so much anymore. These are:
The case diameter at 40mm is slightly too big (as @WatchBee says). This watch should really be 36-38mm. Though this was potentially a deal-breaker for me in the past, I've gotten used to it (though I still feel that 37mm would be perfect).
The hand-wound SW215 movement is a bit scratchy when setting the hands. I don't have another SW215, so they may be fine generally and I may just have got a slightly off movement, but it's annoying when I set the time. The movement is also pretty plain through the display caseback. However, the watch is super accurate, so this is also not a deal-breaker for me.
On the plus side, what keeps making me stick with the watch is what initially attracted me to it and made me take the plunge despite knowing from the start that 40mm was too wide. These things are:
That dial is amazing! I know some don't like the empty space - I love it!
The case, despite being too wide, is so slim and so well made - Ickler really makes a nice case.
When I put it back on the Archimede leather (not great quality as it is coming apart), I fell back in love with it - it goes so well on many straps (and even an expander bracelet), but the mid-tone leather really makes it pop.
The blue version @Barringtonchud has pictured above looks very different in other pictures. It is not a subtle blue at all, and so worth making sure you've seen a range of shots before you take the plunge I think.
In summary, overall I'm still glad I have it and I think it will stay. In fact, I'm going to go and put it on right now...
Thanks for taking the time to explain the pros and cons. For me at the moment there would be no point adding one to my collection as my Montblanc 1858 is too similar in aesthetics, though when has a watch obsessive been rational when it comes to purchases?? But if or when i purchase one its good to know these things. Coincidentally my Montblanc has an SW200 movement which is very noisy (rotor) but very accurate
I'm also a bit late to the conversation (thanks for hitting me up @WatchBee). I've had the Archimede for quite a while now and could add a few things to the review I did.
Firstly, I've put it up for sale several times, but keep taking it down again. The reason for the sale is not because I don't like the watch, but merely that I haven't worn it enough. I've been on a journey rationalising my collection and have wavered several times on whether to keep the Archimede or not. For now, I've decided that it's staying and I suspect that won't now change as I've finally found I don't mind the couple of things which bothered me about it so much anymore. These are:
The case diameter at 40mm is slightly too big (as @WatchBee says). This watch should really be 36-38mm. Though this was potentially a deal-breaker for me in the past, I've gotten used to it (though I still feel that 37mm would be perfect).
The hand-wound SW215 movement is a bit scratchy when setting the hands. I don't have another SW215, so they may be fine generally and I may just have got a slightly off movement, but it's annoying when I set the time. The movement is also pretty plain through the display caseback. However, the watch is super accurate, so this is also not a deal-breaker for me.
On the plus side, what keeps making me stick with the watch is what initially attracted me to it and made me take the plunge despite knowing from the start that 40mm was too wide. These things are:
That dial is amazing! I know some don't like the empty space - I love it!
The case, despite being too wide, is so slim and so well made - Ickler really makes a nice case.
When I put it back on the Archimede leather (not great quality as it is coming apart), I fell back in love with it - it goes so well on many straps (and even an expander bracelet), but the mid-tone leather really makes it pop.
The blue version @Barringtonchud has pictured above looks very different in other pictures. It is not a subtle blue at all, and so worth making sure you've seen a range of shots before you take the plunge I think.
In summary, overall I'm still glad I have it and I think it will stay. In fact, I'm going to go and put it on right now...
I noticed you have your Stowa up for sale at the moment. It has been the casualty instead of the Archimede!
I noticed you have your Stowa up for sale at the moment. It has been the casualty instead of the Archimede!
Yeah, I think so. I really like the Stowa, but it is much dressier and gets even less wrist time. I've finally grown tired of having watches I only ever look at in the box. If I was going out to more dinner parties, maybe it would stay... 😢
Yeah, I think so. I really like the Stowa, but it is much dressier and gets even less wrist time. I've finally grown tired of having watches I only ever look at in the box. If I was going out to more dinner parties, maybe it would stay... 😢
I know what you mean. I only wear mine for black tie dinners and very occasionally with a suit at work.
Better to invest in something you’ll wear.