Lorier Falcon 3 - Less Rolex-y Than The Photos
I’ve been looking to replace a regretfully sold Black Bay 36 for a little while now. I was hesitant to buy the same watch again (I’ve sold it once already, sure) and have kinda been vacillating between the Sinn 556i and the Longines Spirit 37. In an ideal world I’d buy an Explorer but money is a thing (and Rolex is the one brand of watch I couldn’t convince my partner I’d won on an eBay auction for 200 euros), but I definitely wanted a petite black dialled sport watch on a steel bracelet. Settled on the Sinn 556 and have been actively hunting for a deal on one when all of a sudden Lorier had to go and switch the little “update me” button to a “buy now”. And at a price that I won’t have to lie about! I’ve been following Lorier for a while and the owners seem like lovely folks so I thought worst case I can just sell it on.
It wears a little larger than most 36mm watches due to the long lugs but is still compact and the finishing is handsomely done- I particularly like the polished inner section of the bezel. Although the dial is a pretty direct reference to the 1016 explorer the case, bracelet, finishing and handset all scream 57’ Railmaster. It’s way more Railmaster than it is Explorer. The dial really is black- it reads as grey in most photos I’ve seen but this is due to all the light being reflected on the dial texture. The numerals look like they are applied, but they are not. Either the case architecture dampens sound or I got lucky with the movement because this is far quieter than the Miyota powered watches I’ve handled in the past.
There’s only two negatives- the bracelet is pretty tinny and the bracelet screws are prone to stripping- I’m going to email them and ask for a couple replacement screws as I did some damage sizing the bracelet. This is my first microbrand bracelet so perhaps this is par for the course in the price range.
Overall, it’s a good watch in a great size that just kinda smooshes the designs of the 57’ Railmaster and 1016 Explorer together. It’s not original in the slightest, but it looks the absolute business and who really gives a fuck about originality, anyways?
I'm in love with a man... a man named God. Does that make me gay? Am I gay for God? You betcha.
Just got my Falcon last week as well and while for me the bracelet is fine sine it makes it look “classic ” for my tastes, I did too stripped one of the screw’s head sizing it, something that did not happen on my Hyperion or the Islander Manhasset. I also should ask them for something else than the very nice suede pouch and screw driver + polywatch beacause I have now two of them.
Great acquisition!
Cheers 🍻
I have been circling this watch for a while. Thanks for the information.
Just got my Falcon last week as well and while for me the bracelet is fine sine it makes it look “classic ” for my tastes, I did too stripped one of the screw’s head sizing it, something that did not happen on my Hyperion or the Islander Manhasset. I also should ask them for something else than the very nice suede pouch and screw driver + polywatch beacause I have now two of them.
Great acquisition!
Cheers 🍻
Thanks boss!
Qq regarding the Hyperion- this is on the previous version of the flat link bracelet? How is that compared to the updated version?
The slimness of the updated version appealed to me but now I wonder if I’d have been happier with a bit of chonk
I have been circling this watch for a while. Thanks for the information.
Thanks boss! I definitely recommend. It continues to grow on me
I have a Falcon III and a Neptune IV. Lorier is a great microbrand. I love it.
I have the same watch and have been wearing it for a few months and I think it is truly underrated.. besides the amazing case and dial, most importantly is that it wears very comfortable on the wrist. It is a watch that even after many months of ownership, im looking at it and smiling at how beautiful it is.. for me, the only issue is that it doesnt have a perfect movement inside to complement its perfect design..
Thanks boss!
Qq regarding the Hyperion- this is on the previous version of the flat link bracelet? How is that compared to the updated version?
The slimness of the updated version appealed to me but now I wonder if I’d have been happier with a bit of chonk
The Hyperion Skyhawk that I have is part of the 2nd generation line-up and sports the epsilon flat-linked bracelet (a jubilee style bracelet). It's quite comfortable and I do not intend to swap it with a leather strap or a NATO.
As for overall thickness, if you like thicker watches then perhaps you should wait for their new version with the Miyota GMT, which should be about 2mm thicker. If you like it thin, then the Soprod C125 is awesome and they plan to order a last batch of them during the summer.
So good
Awesome watch! I actually had the third generation of the Falcon and sold it to upgrade to the BB36. Extremely different watches, even just style wise. On the surface they seemed similar cause of the diver style dial and size. But they are very different. Th Tudor is heavier, way more solidly built and more flashy. It also wears bigger. It makes the Lorier feel like a vintage watch. Not in a bad way, though. Both are great but I don’t think they fit the same spot in a collection. One is very vintage feeling, like new old stock. The other is a modern luxury watch.
I recently got one of these Falcon III and love it. I had and have no issues with the bracelet and mine feels solid and not janglie(sp?) at all. The whole thing feels and runs like a high quality piece. The style language is definitely a harken back to a different time, no pun intended, and captures the look I was hoping for. I think you made a great choice. It scores very high on the retro cool scale for me.
I think the Nivada and the Smiths are the closest watch to an Explorer 1 that I like myself . Both just bloody hard to get a hold of for me in Australia. I have a PRS-25 that I ended up getting on the grey market, after tax & shipping , I paid too much . If I was going to do this again I believe I would go the Super Antarctic by
Nivada Grechen in the plain black .
The Lorier looks great , I just like the 38mm size of the NG & own a 39mm Ranger . Congratulations its a beautiful watch you got too !
Nice
It’s homage-y, it will not get over that look…
It’s homage-y, it will not get over that look…
Yes, but the shape of the handset helps to make it more unique looking….it’s certainly not a 1:1 copy.