New Serica Ref. 6190 - The beloved field watch gets an upgrade
Serica just dropped its new reference 6190 today, an upgrade to its first design, the handsome 4512.
The new timepiece by the French Maison is now powered by a new COSC-certified chronometer self-winding movement while managing to drop ca. 1mm off of its case thickness to 10.4mm.
The svelte 37.7mm case now sports chamfered lugs, which showcase a beautiful interplay of brushed and polished surfaces. Serica seems to have also upped its lume game and the quirky and vintage-inspired Bonklip bracelet now displays the newly designed Serica logo on its clasp.
The 6190 is offered in three dial variants: the Commando, the Claifornia and the Denali. The Denali seems to thus replaces the WMB dial of the 4512.
The price, unsurprisingly, given the COSC certification, has increased from 690€ to 990€.
So what do I think?
Well, as an owner of the 4512 WMB variant, a timepiece I purchased 2 months ago...I'm relieved.
While there is a lot to like with this new design, particularly the decreased thickness and the logo on the Bonklip bracelet, I feel like the 6190 has lost a bit of its ruggedness and toolish charm. Many people will also be grateful they will not have to manually wind a watch with a screw-down crown anymore. This was one of the main complaints against the 4512.
The chamfered lugs and the absence of the 13-24 scale on the dial make it a more elegant proposition. Which is by all means not bad...just not what I was originally looking for.
I think the 4512 managed to strike a perfect balance between ruggedness and everyday sophistication. It is my daily beater and I'm delighted by its versatility. But the 6190 just seems to lean a little heavier on the sophisticated end of the spectrum and feels now almost a bit too polished for a humble field watch.
I'm also not a big fan of the Denali version and I feel like it's a pity they dropped the WMB dial, a nod to the quintessential field-ness of the Dirty Dozen. But I do understand the move. The diamond-shaped placement of the round hour markers has already been present on their dive watch, the 5303, and on their GMT, the 8315. By introducing it to this new reference, Serica is visually tying together all of its designs. Considering the absence of a logo on their dials, this unique design element, along with the borad arrow hand, de facto becomes their most distinguishing feature.
I'm a big fan of this brand, and the 4512 is the only timepiece I own, produced by a microbrand.
While I don't feel the urge to upgrade from the 4512 to 6190, I do think this is a solid release and that, the 6190, with its 200m water resistance, is an amazing value proposition for a sub €1000 do-it-all, aka GADA, aka one-and-done watch.
Chapeau!
I love beautifully designed and crafted products, hence the fascination with watches. I'm also into tea, Japanese incense, and ceramics. SOTC: Omega Seamaster 300 "1957 Trilogy" Tudor Black Bay 54 Ome...
They are not really a brand that has been on my radar so this has been really useful. I love the bracelet and it is a very good looking watch. I would certainly be happy to wear it, especially at 10mm thick 👍
Post SOPROD-movement debacle, Serica can do one. Give your money to any other brand.
🔥
I visited their webpage a few weeks back trying to look up the old field watch. Alas, all I could find was notice of this release.
I like the improvements for the 6190 Commando. Clean dial face. Per their promo videos, I think the lume dial are raised(?) lume blocks otherwise lume heavily applied.
Waiting for a review video to appear from the usual yt suspects.
Post SOPROD-movement debacle, Serica can do one. Give your money to any other brand.
I have read complaints about the performance of their automatic movements. I've never had any issues with the mechanical movement on my 4512 and bear in mind that those issues predate the COSC certification of their movements.
I have read complaints about the performance of their automatic movements. I've never had any issues with the mechanical movement on my 4512 and bear in mind that those issues predate the COSC certification of their movements.
Regardless, any brand that effectively “watch-splains” to you, describes movement issues as (to paraphrase) quirks of the movement, and fails to accept that their gamble on a new movement backfired and that is their problem not the customer deserves nothing but the contempt they have for you.
Regardless, any brand that effectively “watch-splains” to you, describes movement issues as (to paraphrase) quirks of the movement, and fails to accept that their gamble on a new movement backfired and that is their problem not the customer deserves nothing but the contempt they have for you.
Well, if that's the case, it clearly seems like a misstep on their end and a lack of integrity. But I've also heard good things about their customer service and willingness to replace faulty watches at no extra cost. I do understand your frustration though and can see why you would want to take your money somewhere else. I was personally willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, particularly as I love their design language.
Well, if that's the case, it clearly seems like a misstep on their end and a lack of integrity. But I've also heard good things about their customer service and willingness to replace faulty watches at no extra cost. I do understand your frustration though and can see why you would want to take your money somewhere else. I was personally willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, particularly as I love their design language.
Hopefully they will do right by you. I would be unwilling to engage. There are other brands I would (and have) put my money to.
In a crowded market, they stand out for all the wrong reasons.
I'm a fan myself! Idk which one i like the most, but makes it tempting to get one appart from my 4512. I just really really like how they make watches, and 2 years no stop on wrist can prove that.
Oooh I love it - might be that elusive field watch I’ve always been looking for - the Denali with a nato band would look mint
I have read complaints about the performance of their automatic movements. I've never had any issues with the mechanical movement on my 4512 and bear in mind that those issues predate the COSC certification of their movements.
I did have issues with the STP 1-11M in my WMB 4512. It never felt quite 'right' when winding and it packed it in about 4 months after purchase. That said, Serica's support was flawless. They responded promptly, provided shipping from the US to France and back, and turned it around in about two weeks under warranty. Been flawless ever since. One of my favorite watches. Kind of glad they discontinued the WMB dial. Makes me feel special. 😜
I love the new design! I wear my 4512 Cali dial almost every weekend. The only issue with the 4512 is, for me, it wears large. I was hoping for a classic 36mm version. Looking forward to trying the 6190 at NYC Windup next week. Fingers crossed it fits my wrist.
I love the new design! I wear my 4512 Cali dial almost every weekend. The only issue with the 4512 is, for me, it wears large. I was hoping for a classic 36mm version. Looking forward to trying the 6190 at NYC Windup next week. Fingers crossed it fits my wrist.
Great looking watch. Ah I‘m quite jealous you’re going to NYC Windup. Very curious to see how the 6190 wears. Since the specs haven’t changed much, I assume it will wear similarly to the 4512.
Great looking watch. Ah I‘m quite jealous you’re going to NYC Windup. Very curious to see how the 6190 wears. Since the specs haven’t changed much, I assume it will wear similarly to the 4512.
I think your guess will prove to be correct. There is a chance that the new lugs curve down to better hug the wrist. I'll let you know.
I love the new version of the watch and will pre-order as soon as I figure out which dail I prefer, California or Denali! So do you have a favorite yet?
I love the new version of the watch and will pre-order as soon as I figure out which dail I prefer, California or Denali! So do you have a favorite yet?
Yes I do, my favorite is the Commando :)
Great looking watch. Ah I‘m quite jealous you’re going to NYC Windup. Very curious to see how the 6190 wears. Since the specs haven’t changed much, I assume it will wear similarly to the 4512.
I just tried the 6190 at Wondup. It is a real step up from the 4512. While it has the same measurements it does wear smaller. I’m very tempted to order one.
Really like the upgrades foe the most part. Don't like that they changed to painted hands vs the brushed ones on the 4512. Also the new chronometer printing on the dial kind of kills the minimalist vibe they had going in the 4512s. Otherwise, a nice step forward!
Really like the upgrades foe the most part. Don't like that they changed to painted hands vs the brushed ones on the 4512. Also the new chronometer printing on the dial kind of kills the minimalist vibe they had going in the 4512s. Otherwise, a nice step forward!
That is a very good point about the hands, I also only noticed when I saw the watch in the flesh. It might help with legibility, but the old hands style is much classier.