Bel Canto thoughts....
The Bel Canto has in recent weeks gone from a rarely seen nocturnal creature, timid in appearance & preferring a solitary life, to now what feels like a ten a penny, everyone's got one, yesterday's child. This is of course just my thoughts, driven by the ever increasing appearances on WC.
Mine arrived today & I have to admit, I'm really unsure of what to think of it. This most definitely hasn't been helped by my choice of going for the black dial. On the one hand I think it looks pretty mean & moody;
On the other hand, a bit insipid & dull;
The titanium bracelet doesn't really do anything for it in my opinion. Sure it's very smart, something I'd wear to the office rather than on a night out. Again, probably down to the black dial. I'm sure the blue or green dials would really pop on the bracelet, but black.....nah.
The rubber strap I've paired with it gives it a certain cool which I definitely prefer over the bracelet. A sailcloth strap I think would be my preference;
My problem with the sailcloth is that the lug holes on the Bel Canto are right at the very ends & this creates quite a gap between the strap & the case. Too big a gap in fact.
I think this watch is going to have to be accompanied with a bright colourful strap in order for it to become a favourite.
Other than the strap/bracelet issue I will say that I really do like the part skeletonised dial, not something I usually like but it does have a Romain Gauthier feel about it, albeit nowhere near the quality. I was going to return it or sell it immediately but last night it received a surprising stay of execution when i sold a watch I'd completely forgotten was still listed on eBay. Where there's life there's hope!
I'm really a strap collector just looking for the right watch.
Actually, I think the black dial looks great. Have you thought of trying a Milanese bracelet? It would certainly tie in to the look of the exposed works on the dial and the straight lug profile of a Milanese would suit.
Cheers! 😃
Don’t overthink it. It’s a banging watch. If you bought it for exclusivity, not going to happen at that price point or with this brand
Actually, I think the black dial looks great. Have you thought of trying a Milanese bracelet? It would certainly tie in to the look of the exposed works on the dial and the straight lug profile of a Milanese would suit.
Cheers! 😃
My immediate reaction on receipt of the watch was to reach over to my Seamaster that's nearly moved in with my Staib bracelet, wedding bells are on the horizon with that pair.
I removed the mesh & went to put it onto the Bel Canto when I realised the Bel Canto has a 22mm lug width, the Staib is only a 20mm. I know I'm going to order a 22mm Staib bracelet for it, I'm just trying not to do so today 😜 I'm kidding myself on i have some restraint 😂
Don’t overthink it. It’s a banging watch. If you bought it for exclusivity, not going to happen at that price point or with this brand
I wonder how often would a Bel Canto owner meet another Bel Canto owner in the wild.
I wonder how often would a Bel Canto owner meet another Bel Canto owner in the wild.
Wearing their bel cantos? Probably super rare event (outside of British Watchmakers day).
That’s what I mean, don’t overthink this one. Enjoy the watch. But if it’s for a “I have something super rare” flex, don’t bother with this brand or watch
Looks brilliant on the strap. It’s a great watch!
Don’t overthink it. It’s a banging watch. If you bought it for exclusivity, not going to happen at that price point or with this brand
My definition of exclusivity is that if I can afford it, it ain't exclusive 😀
My definition of exclusivity is that if I can afford it, it ain't exclusive 😀
True statement.
But this isn’t the only post on here where someone has said they don’t like the Bel Canto anymore because everyone seems to have it now.
It's a definite conversation starter for sure 😎
Finally agreed to meet a former colleague for a coffee at a chi chi Japanese coffee cafe that is opened only a few days each week, there were two guys who didn’t know each other wearing Bell Cantos which is unusual since almost no young person around here even wear watches. They are tourists to the city.
True statement.
But this isn’t the only post on here where someone has said they don’t like the Bel Canto anymore because everyone seems to have it now.
I’m not saying I don’t like it. After waiting 18 months for it, I’m a bit underwhelmed but I think I’ve made the wrong choice in the colour of the dial. I’ve yet to visualise the strap or bracelet I’m going to wear it on eventually. Once I do you’ll have to go 12 rounds of bare @rsed boxing to get it off my wrist 😜
I’m not saying I don’t like it. After waiting 18 months for it, I’m a bit underwhelmed but I think I’ve made the wrong choice in the colour of the dial. I’ve yet to visualise the strap or bracelet I’m going to wear it on eventually. Once I do you’ll have to go 12 rounds of bare @rsed boxing to get it off my wrist 😜
I'm sure it will grow on you. Just need a matching strap to elevate it even more. How about green crocodile strap?
Sheeezzzzz.... thats a beauty.
I'm sure it will grow on you. Just need a matching strap to elevate it even more. How about green crocodile strap?
Definitely a strong contender 👍
Beautiful watch, especially the black dial.
The black is more subtle in that it doesn't call your attention to look at the dial. The irony of that is I think when you actually look at the dial, the black dial does the best job of highlighting the mechanisms and the "bird" than the other dial colors. So it's a pro and con. To word it more succently, a colorful dial draws attention regardless of details but the black kinda highlights the details better. I still think it looks great. And I think this style watch is simply better on a strap. Maybe a colorful strap would catch your eye more and allow you to appreciate the details in the dial more. I do see your point regarding the gap...maybe a NATO would help.
These looked really fun when announced. It will be interesting to see how the look ages over the next few years. The black easily may end up aging the best. Enjoy it and chime on!
Gorgeous
It's stunning but I agree with you that the color is lacking. I'd definitely put a nice blue or red strap on it to make it pop.
How about a red strap Chris?
I think the black Bel Canto is beautiful! Just because others have it doesn’t make it less special.
How about a red strap Chris?
Yes Tony, that's what I'm thinking too 👍
I got the sky blue and it arrived a few months ago. I think that there was so much hype around this watch that it could never live up to that. A couple of months in and I still love the watch. I have never met or seen another person wearing one, although I don't wear it much as it's not really a daily for me.
Nice my friend congrats ding 👏 😂👍
I wonder how often would a Bel Canto owner meet another Bel Canto owner in the wild.
Rarely, if ever outside of a watch meet!
Being entirely objective. If you don't like it return it or put it on sale. Forget the wait time, the uniqueness, the value, exclusivity etc. A watch needs to spark joy or some positive emotion. Treat it as if you had bought any 4k watch from a store. Give it a few days though. Good luck with it!
Having said it needs a bit of colour, I’m loving it today on this grey rubber strap 👍
5 days on - how are you feeling OP?
5 days on - how are you feeling OP?
It's grown on me hugely. I love it on the grey rubber strap & on a leather strap I found underneath a pile of NATOs. I'm away for 3 weeks to the Shetland Isles with work & the Bel Canto is coming with me. It's made the cut ahead of other heavyweights in my collection. I think that means it's a big thumbs up for it from me now.
It's grown on me hugely. I love it on the grey rubber strap & on a leather strap I found underneath a pile of NATOs. I'm away for 3 weeks to the Shetland Isles with work & the Bel Canto is coming with me. It's made the cut ahead of other heavyweights in my collection. I think that means it's a big thumbs up for it from me now.
Ah that’s great to hear. I’m so very very tempted!