I’m not usually one for dressy, slim, and manually-wound watches. But sometimes it’s nice to step out of your comfort zone and try something a little different from what you’d usually find in the watch box. We’ve been vocal about our love for Archimede. When it comes to their pilot watches, I think the series is an absolute slam dunk. But, one of the lesser-known collections is the 1950s line-up; a minimalistic set of dressier, slim pieces with options ranging across dial color and movement type. I recently got to spend some time with the Archimede 1950-4 featuring a green dial and a manually-wound movement. Here are my thoughts on the piece, which sells for €960.
Archimede 1950-4 Specifications
| Case Size | 40mm (diameter) x 44mm (lug-to-lug) x 9.8mm (thickness) |
| Water Resistance | 5 ATM |
| Movement | Swiss-made hand-wound movement SW 261-1M |
| Strap | Dark brown leather strap with pin buckle |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Crystal | Domed sapphire crystal |
| Price | €960 |
Pros
- High-quality case from the Ickler family of products
- Dial color is mesmerizing with a legible and straightforward layout
- Simple and well-fitting leather strap with a signed buckle
- Reliable Swiss movement
Cons
- 40mm size in this style may feel large for some
- 45-hour power reserve seems on the lower side by today’s standards
- Faux-vintage lume color may turn off some collectors
- Mineral crystal for the caseback
All told I’m comfortable saying that this Archimede 1950-4 isn’t the watch for me. However, the watch isn’t at fault for this. For what it is, the 1950-4 is well-executed and I’m sure it would be a hit with anyone that prefers this style. The competition can get pretty rough in this space and I just find that Archimede’s pilot line does more to offer value and that unforgettable flieger design style. Still, the quality here is undeniably good and I have to give props to Archimede for trying to bring collectors something different from the bulk of their catalog.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.