Circula ProTrail - detailed review
Hello Crunchers!
Wanted to share my review of Circula ProTrail as good things are worth sharing. Quite detailed, but why not.
Watch has been with me for around a month now and saw lots of wrist time. I don't want to spend too much time on intro - just will say Circula is a microbrand from Pforzheim, Germany and I learned about ProTrail around a year ago from owner's post here on WC. My understanding is that ProTrail was developed based on feedback from watch community as well.
1) Case
Dimensions: 40mm diameter, 46mm lug-to-lug, 13.4mm thick (with crystal). Watch wears surprisingly well on my slim 18cm wrist and I think ticks a mark for theoretical "ideal" size for a watch.
Design-wise case is definitely on more progressive and modern side with sharper angles and straight lines. Polishing is simple, but there are two "frosted" lines on each side as well.
Overall, case looks simple and fits aesthetics of a tool watch. Screw down case back is embossed with a terrain map of some sorts (not sure if real location tbh), but it looks nice.
Crown is screwed down bearing Circula logo (filled with lume)
In terms of materials, case is made from 316L steel with special surface treatment and should provide scratch resistance up to 1,200 Vickers (if my research is correct - standard 316L will be 150-200 Vickers). Case is also described to be antimagnetic to 80,000 A/m (my math arrives at ~1000 Gauss) which puts it into same antimagnetic league as Rolex Milgauss. WR is 15 ATM. Now, I have no required tools and/or real eagerness to test on purpose whether mentioned specs are correct - but it gives confidence ProTrail will age well with no or limited wear signs under reasonable daily scenarios. I will leave it for time to validate specs. So far - no single scratch.
Sapphire glass is slightly domed with double reflective coating. I didn't spot any problems with reading time in any light conditions.
2) Dial
Wonderful. Seriously, good blend (or compromise) between design and functionality, readability. Pleasant sand colour, big 1-12 numerals, smaller 13-24 numbers in inner circle, minute track with blued 5 min indicators. Inner circle is pressed a bit lower than outer one giving dial a cool 3D or volume, depth effect. Sword hands (heat blued steel) are delight to look at. Text is kept minimal and is not intrusive. Date window is gone which initially stressed me, but I am happy it is not here. Layout is much simpler, you don't care about am/pm when setting time and having occasional heart attack with "Damn, did I just set the date while hour hand was approaching 12 mark?")
End result - dial looks interesting and fresh without looking overcrowded. Well done!
3) Lume
My other watches are no lume beasts by any measure, so I have no reference point. Lume on ProTrail is bright and I could read time in darkness after 10-12 minutes without any problems.
If ProTrail lume is not good - then I don't imagine what is.
4) Movement
Beating inside is an automatic Sellita SW200-1 Elaboré which does not need introduction. Reliable Swiss movement, easy to service anywhere you go, ticks quietly, winds like a whisper...
Elaboré grade and stated adjustment by Circula in Pforzheim result in -5/+7 Sec./Day precision. Wearing watch non-stop for around 20 days it stayed correct up to minute (very accurate by my standards). Yes, I am a newbie not yet concerned too much with single statistical observation (timegrapher test) at a moment of time.
Not sure if movement is genuine "no date", but in any case crown does not have ghost date set position meaning corners were not cut.
5) Strap
I was bit concerned at first since on Circula page stock images have somewhat disappointing looking sailcloth straps, while actual product photos show better looking strap.
In the end, watch is supplied with this "better" strap which is very comfortable, looks great and is perfect length for my small wrist. Strap has quick release mechanism if you wish to quickly change to smth different. Pin buckle is secure and made of same scratch resistant material as case.
There is also a bracelet option, but I did not try it.
6) Value for money
Watch was slightly south of 1,000 EUR. In my opinion and based on summary above - ProTrail is a good value proposition. Watch provides very good specs in terms of durability and houses a reliable Swiss movement, quality Made in Germany. I truly enjoy the lume and design overall - I think this watch brings something new to the table instead of relying too heavily on popular models as inspiration. Currently ProTrail is available in six colours and each has strap and bracelet option which is quite a wide selection to cater to different tastes.
Personally, I do not see any obvious "dislikes" about ProTrail at this stage.
Circula ProTrail - detailed review
Yes
No
- Great quality and specs
- Fresh design of case and dial
- Good value proposition
- Nicely executed lume
- Size that will fit big and small wrists alike
- Mb additional set of rubber straps would not hurt
Hello! I am relatively new to hobby and have only few timepieces for now. Collecting direction for me is known - I plan to focus on German brands since this country is dear to my heart. Hopefully in f...
Looks a lot like Nodus Sector models
I looked at this one before. And I do agree that watches from small German manufacturers, Circula included, provide an interesting alternative. Then again, the brand has plenty of competition in its home town (Pforzheim).
Looks a lot like Nodus Sector models
Agreed, Nodus Sector (and also new Canyon) have somewhat similar designs. They look great. But completely different movement, case design and I understand Nodus does not go that far in terms of "tool" watch specs.
I noticed the second hand doesn’t have any lume on it and for a field watch with only 15ATM, the height off the wrist is higher than many field watches (Swiss Watch Company’s Bunker). For the specs the Cicula’s price is on the higher end as I’ll compare to another watch later.
I like the lume and I’m a huge fan of field watches to begin with. The legibility of the handset compared against the dial makes reading this watch easy.
Why is the Cicula over priced? For comparison, the SWC Bunker has a titanium case with hardening treatment, less than 11mm height off the wrist, 100m WR, SW200 movement, all night lume, sapphire crystal with copious AR coating, date complication that is very well done, red second hand, and for almost 1/3 the price of the Circula.
Nodus was mentioned but the Nodus comes in higher priced than the SWC Bunker with an NH36 movement (regulated to +/- 10 per day) no hardness coating on a 316 case. The nodus comes in at over half the cost of the Circula.
Something to consider.
Been admiring this one for a while. I love the design and that it’s not retro or derivative yet not gimmicky either—an incredibly rare achievement in watches today. Great to hear it holds up in person and great review. Enjoy!
Agreed, Nodus Sector (and also new Canyon) have somewhat similar designs. They look great. But completely different movement, case design and I understand Nodus does not go that far in terms of "tool" watch specs.
Exactly. They are quite different watches in the end.
I noticed the second hand doesn’t have any lume on it and for a field watch with only 15ATM, the height off the wrist is higher than many field watches (Swiss Watch Company’s Bunker). For the specs the Cicula’s price is on the higher end as I’ll compare to another watch later.
I like the lume and I’m a huge fan of field watches to begin with. The legibility of the handset compared against the dial makes reading this watch easy.
Why is the Cicula over priced? For comparison, the SWC Bunker has a titanium case with hardening treatment, less than 11mm height off the wrist, 100m WR, SW200 movement, all night lume, sapphire crystal with copious AR coating, date complication that is very well done, red second hand, and for almost 1/3 the price of the Circula.
Nodus was mentioned but the Nodus comes in higher priced than the SWC Bunker with an NH36 movement (regulated to +/- 10 per day) no hardness coating on a 316 case. The nodus comes in at over half the cost of the Circula.
Something to consider.
ProTrail is antimagnetic (whether it is actually useful for most people or not) which was achieved by soft iron cage to house movement - likely the reason why height might be higher than in similar field watches. This is not a dress watch - so height is not a deciding factor imo.
Everything else depends on how much value you put on small differences. E.g. Bunker is 10 ATM, ProTrail is 15 ATM. I do not see any desc. of tested accuracy, but SW200 Standard is much less accurate than Elaboré grade. ProTrail is antimagnetic. Price might vary by region, but shipping to Poland, Bunker is around 480 EUR so rather 1/2 price.
I also personally don't like SWC logo...
I looked at this one before. And I do agree that watches from small German manufacturers, Circula included, provide an interesting alternative. Then again, the brand has plenty of competition in its home town (Pforzheim).
yeah, while being in Pforzheim and doing some research - I see heavy competition only in quite boring segment for me which is classic pilot/tool watches. I understand importance of brands such as Laco and Stowa and that taste is a personal matter, but it is just few brands (also Archimedes, Aristo) doing essentially same thing over and over.
I really wanted a German made watch in a budget around 1000 EUR with good specs and interesting designs. Searching within Swiss brands - there would be many options to choose from. Watches from Glashütte have a way higher entry point. Mb Sinn, but I have my eyes on their more expensive models. So I think Circula is positioned quite well within German manufacturers and provides a breath of fresh air in entry or mid-price segment (depending on how you define it).
yeah, while being in Pforzheim and doing some research - I see heavy competition only in quite boring segment for me which is classic pilot/tool watches. I understand importance of brands such as Laco and Stowa and that taste is a personal matter, but it is just few brands (also Archimedes, Aristo) doing essentially same thing over and over.
I really wanted a German made watch in a budget around 1000 EUR with good specs and interesting designs. Searching within Swiss brands - there would be many options to choose from. Watches from Glashütte have a way higher entry point. Mb Sinn, but I have my eyes on their more expensive models. So I think Circula is positioned quite well within German manufacturers and provides a breath of fresh air in entry or mid-price segment (depending on how you define it).
Oh yes, I would definitely say the Circula has found its niche, but at the same time I can't quite ignore that Arichimede has something to offer beyond pilot/tool watches.
I recently bought a Hanhart, but that was also a very traditional watch design.
I noticed the second hand doesn’t have any lume on it and for a field watch with only 15ATM, the height off the wrist is higher than many field watches (Swiss Watch Company’s Bunker). For the specs the Cicula’s price is on the higher end as I’ll compare to another watch later.
I like the lume and I’m a huge fan of field watches to begin with. The legibility of the handset compared against the dial makes reading this watch easy.
Why is the Cicula over priced? For comparison, the SWC Bunker has a titanium case with hardening treatment, less than 11mm height off the wrist, 100m WR, SW200 movement, all night lume, sapphire crystal with copious AR coating, date complication that is very well done, red second hand, and for almost 1/3 the price of the Circula.
Nodus was mentioned but the Nodus comes in higher priced than the SWC Bunker with an NH36 movement (regulated to +/- 10 per day) no hardness coating on a 316 case. The nodus comes in at over half the cost of the Circula.
Something to consider.
The SWC certainly delivers on specs and value but to my eye, they’re let down by their designs across the entire range. They seem to be able to source components well enough but visually their dials all look a bit amateurish to me—cluttered, derivative, incongruous, and oddly proportioned. It’s hard to articulate without sounding dismissive but they just don’t look like a trained, professional designer was involved—even their logo has that “designed in Microsoft office” look to it that brings down what, on paper, seem like solid offerings. They may be a lot cheaper but, unfortunately (to me, anyway) they look it in comparison to the Circula and especially Nodus, which seems like an overtly design-driven company.