on – The deliciously retro Nezumi Voiture VM1S.101

In the present day we’re bringing your consideration to a brand new model for MONOCHROME Watches, a model that has been round for over a decade however hasn’t solely centered on watches because it was based. Late final 12 months, we have been contacted by Nezumi Studios, a Swedish watchmaking firm that was celebrating its tenth anniversary. Named the Voiture, this sharp-looking retro chronograph is the primary mannequin in Nezumi’s portfolio to make use of a Swiss mechanical motion. Whereas not solely new as a design, it was beforehand powered by a Seiko mecha-quartz motion. Now that it has moved a step up the ladder, it was the proper alternative to go hands-on with one among Nezumi’s watches, on this case, the Voiture VM1S.101.

The identify Nezumi comes from the Japanese people hero Nezumi Kozo. Stealing from rich Samurai to offer to the poor, much like Robin Hood, Nezumi Kozo met a ugly loss of life when he was arrested for his crimes. However, upon studying what he did together with his stolen fortunes, his story turned a preferred cultural legend. The driving drive behind Nezumi Studios is Swedish designer, classic automotive and watch lover David Campo Cardenes. And within the spirit of Nezumi Kozo, David offers again to a number of charities via his firm.

After working within the style trade for many of his life, Nezumi Studios was David’s approach of exercising complete inventive freedom concerning all of the issues he’s captivated with. The corporate’s first product, launched in 2011, was a pair of limited-edition denims that bought out rapidly. The primary-ever Nezumi watch launched in 2015 was known as the Voiture. Since then, a number of mecha-quartz-powered watches have been launched earlier than making the leap to full mechanical with the Baleine dive watch. This Voiture VM1S.101 is the very first one with a Swiss-made mechanical coronary heart.

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Essentially the most notable characteristic of the Nezumi is undoubtedly the design of the case and dial (correctly with any watch, actually). To start out with the outside first, the Voiture VM1S.101 has a 40mm diameter and a thickness of 12.6mm (excluding the crystal). The lug-to-lug distance can also be very acceptable at 47mm from finish to finish. Relating to weight, which isn’t typically talked about in evaluations, the Voiture ideas the scales at 149 grams in complete (on the bracelet).

The design is barely paying homage to the Omega Speedmaster, with the best way the bezel sits on prime of the center case, however that’s not essentially a nasty factor. What’s attention-grabbing is the truth that the bezel insert has a tachymeter scale that’s drawn by hand by firm founder David Campo earlier than scaling and vectorising it to create an genuine, classic look. Easy pump-style pushers and a pull-out crown are used to wind, set the motion, and manipulate the chronograph.

The design of the matte off-white dial additionally stands out regardless of exhibiting a really acquainted 3/6/9 chronograph format. The distinctive matte graphite sections surrounding the working seconds and chronograph 30-minute sub-dials give it a singular look. The result’s one thing that might be present in a classic automotive, which makes good sense given Nezumi’s origins. Fairly enjoyable and unique! That is matched with a matte graphite 12-hour chronograph counter and minute observe on the periphery.

The utilized hour indices have a contact of Tremendous-LumiNova, though it might have benefited the Voiture VM1S.101 if it had a bit of extra lume. The hour and minute palms are straight, easy and efficient, with a contrasting orange chronograph seconds hand with a Nezumi ‘N’ as a counterweight. The dial is roofed by a domed sapphire crystal that bumps up the whole top of the watch to 14.5mm.

A Swiss Coronary heart

The Voiture VM1S.101 marks the primary mannequin for Nezumi Studios to make use of a Swiss-made mechanical motion as an alternative of mechanical or mecha-quartz actions by Seiko used earlier than this. Nezumi has opted for the Sellita SW 510-Mb manual-wound chronograph, which is a strong and dependable alternative. The actual fact it’s a hand-wound motion additionally ties in with the general feel and look of the Voiture. The motion runs at a charge of 28,800vph and presents 58 hours of energy reserve. It’s hidden from view by the strong caseback, adorned with the Nezumi emblem in aid.

The Nezumi Studios Voiture VM1S.101 is available in a pleasant, compact leather-based field with a graphic outer field. It comes on a Jubilee-style metallic bracelet with polished and brushed hyperlinks, however I think about this could look simply pretty much as good, if not higher, on a really cool leather-based strap. The watch retails for EUR 1,587, which looks like an odd quantity, however given the very fact Nezumi is Swedish, that is right down to a foreign money distinction between Sweden and the remainder of Europe. Alternatively, there’s a reverse model of this particular dial and a blue and off-white dial with an identical blue tachymeter scale. Every color is proscribed to 100 items.

Remaining Ideas

I used to be fortunately impressed with the Nezumi Studios Voiture VM1S.101, regardless that you may simply spot the inspiration from varied icons. General, it seems to be and feels excellent; the whole lot feels sturdy, the ending is properly completed, it sits effectively on the wrist (albeit a contact on the heavy facet), and it’s competitively priced. However talking about competitors, it has a troublesome job forward going head-to-head with watches like the Baltic Tricompax. However, the Nezumi deserves your consideration when you’re searching for a superb retro-chic chronograph with a Swiss mechanical motion for lower than EUR 2,000.

For extra data and to order your Nezumi Voiture, please go to NezumiStudios.com.