The Somerset is the primary mannequin from the brand new watch model Tennet. The corporate is predicated out of the small Asian city-state of Singapore: a scorching spot for watch accumulating and enthusiasm. There have been quite a lot of start-up watch firms from Singapore through the years, and the outcomes are usually very fascinating, starting from vintage-style fashions to modern new creations. The Somerset is someplace in between, providing a recent design in a package deal that’s rooted within the tradition of classic costume watches which have fascinating case designs. The Tennet Somerset is unique and fashionable, however thematically feels related to watches that have been produced round 75 years in the past. Presently, Tennet have 4 variations of the Somerset, with two of them being featured on this evaluation article together with the silver-dialed Somerset Moon and the red-dialed Somerset Vermilion.
The general theme and design of the Somerset is sweet, and solely requires an curiosity in the kind of timepiece that Tennet was attempting to go for: particularly, a manually wound time-only watch in a 38mm broad case with a designer twist. Detailing was crucial to Tennet, and accordingly, each the Somerset watch case and dial are crammed with little nuances that always elude the curiosity of newer or smaller manufacturers at this worth level. Take the crown, for instance, which works to nice lengths to each look unique and likewise present good traction in your fingers. That is necessary, on condition that this watch requires guide winding. Extra particulars abound on the dial, together with quite a lot of ranges, polishes, and textures. The format of all the weather is in fact acquainted, however once more, the corporate went to nice lengths to make sure that the Somerset doesn’t appear to be it’s emulating anything in the marketplace.
In some ways Tennet will get the detailing on the case right, however I’ll advise the model to go simpler on the polished surfaces sooner or later. The hour markers and fingers are a pleasant form and well-proportioned, however only a bit too round-polished and thus too reflective. The extra right method to render them could be with flatter polishes that refract gentle in a different way. Tennet truly goes out of its method to state that the box-style sapphire crystal has 5-6 layers of AR coating on it, although there’s nonetheless some glare as a result of underlying gentle that’s being mirrored again as much as the crystal from the dial. The fingers and hour markers are given SuperLumiNova for darkness viewing (which is good), and the general symmetry and lack of pointless textual content on the dial are highlights. Total, the dials of the Somerset watches are superb, with only a few small tweaks essential to lead to near-perfection.
Tennet truly says on its web site that a part of the intention with the Somerset watch was to make one thing with “sporty aesthetics.” Personally, I don’t see that, however fairly an avant-garde costume look ahead to fans. With that stated, the case does provide 200 meters of water resistance with out a screw-down crown (which might have been a bit annoying for a manually-wound watch), which is spectacular. Truly, in plenty of methods the Somerset case is one of the best a part of the watch, particularly for many who actually just like the 38mm broad dimension. I personally favor barely bigger watches, however can simply see myself carrying this watch with lengthy sleeves (in all probability fairly uncommon in hotter Singapore) or with formal apparel. The 38mm broad metal case is near 11mm thick (Tennet mentions that the case is 9.5mm thick with out the crystal, however the crystal provides about 1mm to the thickness) and has a modest 46mm lengthy lug-to-lug distance. The case appears so visually fascinating primarily due to the design of the lugs and their flanks, which appear to be impressed by sure Omega DeVille watches and different classic timepieces. The case can also be distinction polished, with some polished and a few sandblast-finished sections. I like that on the rear of the case Tennet contains the “motto” it created for this product collection (which is “Nolite Timere” – primarily that means “don’t be afraid”), and the title of the mannequin itself.
Regardless that the Tennet Somerset case is thick sufficient to accommodate an automated motion, the corporate selected to go along with a manually-wound motion. That’s in all probability as a result of the founding father of Tennet likes manually-wound watches, and designed a product for himself. Manually-wound watches can provide a extra related, tactile relationship between the wearer and the watch that many fans get pleasure from. I personally favor automated watches, however I’ve loads of respect for guide mechanical actions and really feel there’s a place for at the least a number of of them in my assortment.
The motion Tennet determined to make use of was the Swiss Made Sellita caliber SW210 in “prime grade” kind. This watch motion operates at 4Hz with an influence reserve of about two days, and you’ll see it via the sapphire crystal caseback. The view of the motion is fairly good, and it certain helps that this grade of the motion comes with blued screws and floor sharpening. What I discovered a bit unusual, although, was the accuracy claims made on the Tennet web site (I received’t repeat them right here since they could be topic to alter), that are far worse than what I consider this motion usually performs at. Both Tennet doesn’t need clients calling at no cost servicing if the watches don’t carry out to a excessive spec, or it’s severely undermining the everyday price outcomes of the SW210 manually-wound mechanism (which might simply be regulated to chronometric efficiency).
Every of the Tennet Somerset fashions comes with a novel strap coloration that’s produced for the corporate by watch strap specialist Delugs. The 20mm broad tapering leather-based straps are of a top quality, and make good use of coloration and distinction stitching. The straps additionally come on quick-release spring bars, making them simple to take away when wanted. Presently, the Somerset Vermilion with its metallic crimson dial is the boldest of the bunch, with different Somerset dial colours at present together with a deep blue (the Lagoon), black (the Onyx), and the Somerset Moon’s basic silver dial. Extra colours of the Somerset will in all probability come sooner or later.
As a debut watch, the Tennet Somerset is fairly good. It wears comfortably, appears enticing, and affords one thing that the timepiece market isn’t already flush with. There are little issues that Tennet might proceed to enhance, such because the texturing and sharpening on the dial, in addition to attempting to scale back the case thickness (which clearly is necessary to the model). Alternatively, it might additionally experiment by providing an automated model of those watches, since a brand new case in all probability wouldn’t be essential to deal with it. Total, I believe lots of people (particularly those that get pleasure from smaller watches) will benefit from the Somerset, and I additional consider that the Tennet model in all probability has plenty of good concepts for the years to come back. Value for the Tennet Somerset watches is $1,200 USD. Be taught extra at the Tennet watches website.
Crucial Data:
>Model: Tennet
>Mannequin: Somerset (Moon & Vermilion variations as examined)
>Value: $1,200 USD
>Measurement: 38mm broad, ~11mm thick, 46mm lug-to-lug distance
>When reviewer would personally put on it: As an avant-garde costume watch to go along with formal apparel.
>Buddy we’d suggest it to first: Lover of expressive classic watches that wishes a more recent timepiece from a start-up model.
>Finest attribute of watch: Total enticing design, simple to learn, and cozy on the wrist. Good case with good water resistance. Good use of colours.
>Worst attribute of watch: Case is a bit thick given the motion. Dial could be improved if fingers and hour markers had a bit much less reflectivity.
Trending Merchandise
