SEVENFRIDAY Watch Review

Here is a look at a pair of watches from SEVENFRIDAY, a new brand out of Zurich.  I must confess that I reviewed these watches last September, but somehow my files took a short detour to the twilight zone.   I tell all, below.  Enjoy the video and pics.

As you see in my video review, I was not super excited about the watch when I reviewed it, mostly because I found it a bit hard to read.  Then again it is “only” a sub-$1,000 watch ($891.46, to be precise) with a Miyota  movement (automatic mechanical) in it — so perhaps my standards (and my relentless focus on high-end pieces) were a bit too high.  Anyway, who cares what I think! — here’s the thing — I have been seeing SEVENFRIDAY popping up on many many different important watch forums and websites that I read.   Turns out that people really like this watch for its industrial-yet-fashionable design, and its sub-$1,000 price tag.   And I think it comes down to this:  SEVENFRIDAY has done a great job getting their pieces into the hands of a lot of different influencers and enthusiasts who are in turn creating some nice buzz for the brand.  I hope it is translating into sales for SEVENFRIDAY.  This is what you have to do as a startup brand — gotta be creative and gotta hustle your watch out there and into people’s hands.  It is a monumental task, and I always pull for small watch startups who have a vision to make something big.

SEVENFRIDAY P1

47 x 47.6mm steel case

SEVENFRIDAY P2
 47 x 47.6mm grey PVD case

One other thing:  since last September when I did my review, the company launched its third model, the P3.  I’ve included some images of the P3 below — it is the same design, but with some material upgrades and a great color set.  By far the most eye-catching model yet from the brand.
SEVENFRIDAY P3
47 x 47.6mm black PVD case, silicone case wrap

 Like what you see?  Check out more at SEVENFRIDAY.com.

SevenFriday

Having worked in the watch industry for over a decade, I was fully expectant of receiving an answer somewhere around the $1,600 - $2,500 mark. Had it not been for the stated Japanese Miyota automatic movement (and instead an equivalent Swiss iteration) those estimates would have doubled. Instead what came back to me was a well worded email telling me very calmly that the watches have a retail price of approximately $890 - $950, and ship worldwide from Zurich. Knock me down with a feather! I then waited a good two months before a SevenFriday stamped package arrived at my door from Zurich. Opening that box made the wait worth it.

The watches came in two very large 'crates', similar in size to a fine wine box. Inside were your usual assortment of warranty cards (printed on thin sheets of metal), instructions and polishing cloths. Of course, the main attention was on the watches. Measuring 47mm across, it's not small, yet wears much closer to a 44mm Panerai due to its thinner case and regular sized crown. For me it was fine, though I wouldn't really wear anything bigger nowadays.

The retro "TV" shaped case reminds me of the TAG Silverstone which is no bad thing, and the finishing on the case is as well executed as you'll find on a watch sub $5k. The watch case is available in two different finishes for the time being. Both are constructed from 316L grade stainless steel, with one of them being grey PVD coated to give a dark titanium appearance. This version of the watch (the P2) also has a contrasting copper "Animation ring" which is used as the minute track inside the dial. A nice contrast I think, and it enhances the look of the watch very well. The main draw for me is the dial, and in person it is fantastically well constructed! The hands are large and legible to show the time, whilst there are two rotating discs showing the running seconds and 24 hour time. There is also a small skeletonized section on the dial which shows the balance wheel of the movement. This is something that I usually don't like on a watch, mainly because it's normally executed in a gaudy "oh look it's pretending to be a tourbillon" kind of way. Here however it doesn't look out of place and matches the aesthetics of the dial and watch quite well.

A pearlage finish has been put to the inner steel ring which adds a nice luxurious touch to the overall look, and there is a single layer of anti-reflective coating on the underside of the crystal which helps legibility. The straps are made from calf leather and are 26mm at the lugs tapering down to 24mm by the buckle. They are nice enough, though quite stiff when new and need a bit of wear to soften and break in.

Reading the watch is pretty straight forward, though the unconventional hands mean that it's probably a good idea for me to add a diagram depicting exactly what does what:

On the wrist the watch has a good presence without being overbearing. As it's a non-chronograph, there are no large protruding buttons to add size to the case, and the thickness means it's very wearable and comfortable despite my 6.5" slim wrists.

The watches are available now via the SevenFriday website and various stockists/retailers. I believe they have yet to have a physical retailer in the US, so for the time being they offer to ship via an insured three day courier service stateside.

In WatchZone style, I'd like to end with a typically overdressed wrist shot for you guys